What We Got Wrong Heading Into the Suns Season

The Phoenix Suns are 6-1, but it’s looked different than we thought.

NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns

Oct 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) against Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) in the first half of the home opener at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Everything is going great for the Phoenix Suns.

That doesn’t mean everything is going like we thought.

On today’s episode, a deep dive into all the ways we have already been wrong about this team. We cover Jusuf Nurkic the 3-point shooter, the impact of Tyus Jones, the role Ryan Dunn is playing, how quickly Mike Budenholzer has made his presence felt, and more.

  • Nearly 40 percent of Nurkic’s shots are coming from deep, but he is 4-of-19 and the Suns’ offense is 8 points worse per 100 possessions when he is on the floor
  • Dunn is a young breakout star, but can be streaky on offense and isn’t playing heavy minutes each night
  • Budenholzer has orchestrated a top-5 defense already as the Suns overhaul their identity in his first season at the helm

The team is starting to settle in on an offensive pecking order, a set rotation, and a recognizable on-court identity.
And while it’s a little different than we expected, that’s clearly not a bad thing.

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