Welcome to Locked on Suns, your daily Phoenix Suns podcast. In this episode, we’re diving into some key issues surrounding the team, including Tyus Jones’ playing time, Kevin Durant’s role, and potential parallels with other NBA teams.
• Tyus Jones didn’t play in the fourth quarter against Dallas. This isn’t necessarily a trend, but it tells us something about how Coach Bud views Jones defensively.
• Jones is having his best scoring season, but his defense remains a concern. This situation highlights that he’s not immovable from the closing group.
• Kevin Durant’s usage rate this season would be the highest in a decade if it holds. This is surprising given the team’s overall health compared to last year.
• KD’s drives per game have increased significantly in December, but his assists are down. This suggests he’s taking more on himself without creating for others.
• We’re concerned that Durant doesn’t seem to trust the players around him, leading to more “hero ball” moments.
• The offense lacks a clear identity, and the ball is sticking too much with Durant, Beal, and Booker. We need to see one of them prove they can be a primary offensive engine at an elite level.
• There’s a parallel between the Suns’ situation and recent news about the Sacramento Kings. Mike Brown reportedly asked DeMar DeRozan to come off the bench, which may have contributed to Brown’s firing.
• This makes us wonder if the Suns are hesitant to have a similar conversation with Bradley Beal about potentially coming off the bench.
• Beal isn’t playing badly right now, which makes it even trickier to suggest a bench role. It’s about finding the right moment, if that moment ever comes.
Remember, Suns fans, we’re here to provide analysis and keep you informed. Stay locked on, and here’s to hoping for better days ahead for our team!
