The Phoenix Suns are the best team in the NBA.
They have the best record in the NBA by a comfortable eight games and have already crossed the 50-win mark. Despite their two best players – Devin Booker and Chris Paul – being out, they will still give even the best teams a run for their money.
This past Sunday, the Suns were in a matchup against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks and it was a one-possession game up until the final two minutes.
When you watch the Suns, there are two things you should notice.
First is their incredible coaching. The Suns are well-coached, well-disciplined, and don’t make any mistakes – no matter what players are on the floor. Monty Williams and the Suns’ coaching staff deserve all the credit in the world.
Second is that, no matter how deep the Suns have to go, there have the same types of players on the floor. As a result, can play the same style of basketball.
This mainly applies to their elite pick and roll game. When a guard receives a screen from a big man, they have the option of taking it themselves, throwing up the lob, or kicking it out for three.
And this brings us to the three distinct types of players the Suns have on their roster
The Phoenix Suns have three perfect prototypes of players: Facilitators
Chris Paul, Cameron Payne, & Aaron Holiday
The Suns run what is arguably the prettiest two-man game in the league. When Suns guards get a screen from their big man, the first thing they do is shield the defender behind them, giving them plenty of time to make the right decision.
And luckily for them, Paul, Payne, and Holiday all have the profound ability to make the right decision, whether it be to pass it out, lob it up, or take a layup or floater. This is a major reason why the Suns rank fifth in the league in assists.
A few more notes:
- “The Point God” Chris Paul averages over 10.7 assists per game.
- Every time Payne has started he has dished out five or more assists.
- Payne averages 7.2 assists Per 36 minutes.
- Aaron Holiday averages 4.1 assists off the bench.
- The Suns rank third in the league in guard assists per game.
The Phoenix Suns have three perfect prototypes of players: Big Men
Deandre Ayton & JaVale McGee
These two players are my favorite type of big men. Every time they get it in the paint, they slam it down with authority. Ayton and McGee are so good at rolling to the basket off of screens, and they make it look easy when they dunk it. The facilitators just have to throw it up and these guys will do the rest.
The Phoenix Suns have three perfect prototypes of players: Shooters
Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Landry Shamet, Torrey Craig, Jae Crowder
The third option the facilitators have off the screen is to pass the ball for a three. All the guys in this category can confidently knock it down from range, and they have done just that all season.
Booker is a great shooter who can make shots off the catch, but that is obviously not his only role in the Suns’ offense. He thrives in catch-and-shoot scenarios, too. Players like Bridges, Johnson, and Crowder stay ready in crunch time and can knock it down when it matters most.
The Suns run the screen and roll when they need a bucket. This comes up a lot in the clutch, but also very often in their regular offense. With players executing their roles so well, it’s no surprise it is so effective. They’re the best team in the league for a reason.