B-Ball Brunch: Are The Phoenix Suns Rising From the Ashes?

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The Suns have been surprisingly steady.

(PHOTO CREDIT: Rob Schumacher/Arizona Republic.)

What is this Phoenix Suns team?

Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s easy to say that it’s only been three games. But they have put together a very good run in these contests. No, they’re not undefeated. But they were one play away from that unblemished record.

It’s one thing to be 2-1 or even 3-0 against chumps. But I’m not sure any of the games they have played were against the weaksauce. The Sacramento Kings were a much-improved team but they handled them, forcing 26 turnovers on the way to a blowout win.

They were on the road against the now-excellent Denver Nuggets. They needed a bit of luck to force overtime. And the game went down the wire before Torrey Craig erased Devin Booker‘s attempt at a game-winner.

And then last night, after everyone (myself included) proclaimed that the Clippers were unstoppable, the Suns upset them by shooting the lights out and playing some inspired defense. Suddenly, we might be onto something with Phoenix. And you know what? They beat the Clippers without the suspended DeAndre Ayton and the injured Ricky Rubio, who was found to be a stabilizing quarterback on the offense.

Booker has a lot to prove. He didn’t shoot well against the Nuggets and couldn’t take them home in the waning seconds. But he came back with a 30-6-8 (16 points in the fourth) performance against the Clippers. It’s easy to criticize Booker because it seems like he’s putting up empty stats on a bad team. But he’s a really good NBA player and they don’t win without his scoring and increasing versatility on the offense.

Frank Kaminsky has suddenly become an excellent acquisition. He’s coming off the bench and is producing quite a bit. He’s averaged 15.3 points and 7.7 boards in the first three games of the season. Jevon Carter started for Rubio and he keeps bringing that defense that has helped surge the Suns. Kelly Oubre Jr. is thriving on more responsibility. Aron Baynes brings the pain inside and cooks from behind the arc like he has been in recent years. And Dario Saric is finding a bit of a groove.

Monty Williams, the new head coach of the Suns, wanted to make this team a scrappy defensive bunch. The best example was obviously against the Kings. But they made life difficult for both the Nuggets and the Clippers, too. It’s always tough to contain someone like Kawhi Leonard (27 points against the Suns) but Phoenix made sure he had to work for everything.

This 2-1 start might be a mirage. They may not even win 30 games this season, especially since they’re saddled in the rough Western Conference. But if this is any indication of what they really are, they’re not going to be anyone’s “easy game” any longer.

Bullet Passes

*Did Trae Young make THE jump already? He helped the Hawks hold off the Magic with a sterling performance: 39 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists. I’m sure a lot of people who called him a bust last year (that is SO stupid) are eating their words right now. He’s been phenomenal the first two games.

*Madison Square Garden chanted WE WANT FRANK as Dennis Smith Jr. continued to struggle in this early part of the season (they were getting hammered by the Celtics). He is an icy 1 for 11 (.091) thus far. The Frank that the Knicks fans want is Frank Ntilikina, who played well for France in last summer’s FIBA games. So far, Ntilikina’s minutes have equaled to how long the song Ace of Base’s The Sign is. But at some point, Knicks coach David Fizdale has to take a look at the situation (Elfrid Payton is starting at point with Smith as the back-up and Frank as the third man).

What does Ntilikina have to say about this? From the New York Post:

“I feel the support from the fans for me but also for the whole team,’’ Ntilikina said. “I’m thankful for the support, but right now we’re focusing on getting better. Like everybody I want to get out there. But I have to put in the work to improve.’’

Poor RJ Barrett. He had a nice home debut, too (26 points).

*It’s been two games for the Milwaukee Bucks and both times, Giannis Antetokounmpo has fouled out. MIGHT have to watch that for a bit. By the way, the Bucks lost in overtime against the Miami Heat.

*This is some fine art from Evan Turner:

*Russell Westbrook has passed Earvin “Magic” Johnson for second place in NBA career triple-doubles. Westbrook went for 28-10-13 in their win over New Orleans. He has 139 triple-doubles and is 42 shy from the all-time record held by Oscar Robertson.

*It’s hilarious to me when people say Brandon Ingram has REALLY improved since leaving Los Angeles (he scored 35 points and grabbed 15 boards against Houston). He was a pretty decent player his second year and he was really coming into his own in his third season before he was sidelined by a blood clot in his right arm in early March. He may very well reach his potential in New Orleans as he’s free from all the pressure from all directions. He can stay low key in Louisiana and just play ball.

*Utah may be feeling good about burying the Sacramento Kings earlier but I will tell you right now that THIS DOES NOT FEEL GOOD:

OUCH.

*Also, James Harden hit himself in the face after bouncing the ball in frustration. We are all Josh Hart:

Watch This Play

DeMar DeRozan makes DeWinner for DeSpurs against DeWizards.

I know. I am so clever.

Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.

TNLP on FaceBook.


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