Phx-Suns.Net

#2↑ PHOENIX SUNS Record: 5-1

OffRtg: 118.5 (2) DefRtg: 106.2 (4) NetRtg: +12.3 (1) Pace: 98.5 (24)

The Suns have a key contributor sitting at home, and Jae Crowder has said that his dispute with the team isn’t about the starting job he lost. Either way, there’s no arguing against the success of the new starting lineup, which has outscored its opponents by 28.9 points per 100 possessions, the best mark among 20 lineups that have played at least 50 minutes. The starting group was a plus-13 in less than 17 minutes as the Suns blew out the Warriors on Tuesday and, as was the case last season, the Suns have been able to keep on rolling when they’ve replaced Deandre Ayton with another center.

A lineup with Jock Landale in Ayton’s place was a plus-16 in a little more than seven minutes against Golden State and the other four starters were a plus-21 in 46 minutes without Ayton over the weekend after he sprained his ankle against the Pelicans. The Suns basically got Landale for free (from the Hawks) this summer and once Ayton’s offer sheet was matched, the Australian looked like the fourth-string center. But he’s played the eighth most minutes on the team, he’s scored more points than Chris Paul, and he’s blocked more than twice as many shots (5) as Ayton (2). He had some serious trouble defending on the perimeter against Golden State, but was better inside and did some good things (nice catch on the roll, posting mismatches) on offense.

One year later, the Suns are streaking again and their six-game homestand (longest of the season) concludes this week with two games against the Blazers, who could be without Damian Lillard. The first meeting with Portland was the Suns’ only loss and, by far, their worst offensive game of the season (111 points on 108 possessions).

2. Phoenix Suns Record: 5–1

Previous ranking: 4

The Suns are essentially a play away from an undefeated start. As it stands, a two-point overtime loss in Portland is the only blemish on their sterling résumé, which they added to this past week with double-digit wins against the Warriors, Pelicans and Rockets. Phoenix owns the best net rating in the NBA, Devin Booker is sleepwalking to a near-30 ppg average and Chris Paul leads the league in assists (10.8). This start is a great sign for the Suns after the offseason they had. Their six-game homestand continues this week with three more games in the desert, two of which are on national TV.

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:52 am

I like Barnes, but he's having a rough start to the season. Shooting 40% overall and 11% (!) on 3s.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... eha02.html

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:52 am

I like Barnes, but he's having a rough start to the season. Shooting 40% overall and 11% (!) on 3s.

Indy wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 03, 2022 2:37 pm

lol was Dario calling out a not so professional approach to it by another Suns player?