Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Phoenix Suns Fall To Sacramento Kings As Josh Okogie Shines
Oct 11, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) dribbles by Detroit Pistons guard Dereon Seabron (18) during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images|Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Welcome to another episode of Locked On Phoenix Suns, where we break down the latest game against the Sacramento Kings. Despite a frustrating loss, Josh Okogie shone brightly. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this matchup.
- Game Overview: The Suns faced off against the Kings, missing key players like Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, and Kevin Durant. The absence of these stars was felt as the Suns struggled to keep up with the Kings’ offensive prowess.
- Frustration and Performance: The game was marked by frustration, with the Suns shooting a mere 37% from the field compared to the Kings’ 63%. Despite a brief lead in the third quarter, the Suns couldn’t maintain momentum, ultimately losing by 20 points.
- Josh Okogie’s Standout Performance: Okogie was a bright spot, scoring 25 points in 28 minutes. His performance raises questions about his potential role in the rotation moving forward. While his shooting may not be sustainable, his defensive prowess and energy could be valuable assets.
- Devin Booker’s Struggles: Booker had a tough night, scoring only 18 points on 6-for-16 shooting. With key players out, more was expected from him. His inconsistency in approach, especially after a strong performance against the Jazz, was a point of concern.
- Interior Defense Woes: The Suns’ interior defense was lacking, with players like Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro struggling to make an impact. Improving this aspect will be crucial, especially against teams with strong offensive capabilities like the Kings.
- Free Throw Inconsistencies: The Suns’ free throw shooting was subpar, hitting only 73% from the line. This is surprising given the team’s shooting talent and could be a factor in close games if not addressed.
- Looking Ahead: With an upcoming game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Suns need to regroup. Grayson Allen’s potential return could bolster the lineup, but the team must address defensive lapses and shooting inconsistencies.
- Bench Contributions: The bench played significant minutes due to injuries, with players like TyTy Washington and Monte Morris showing flashes of potential. Their development will be key as the Suns navigate this challenging period.
- Coaching and Strategy: Coach Mike Budenholzer’s strategy of a “random style” offense might benefit players like Okogie, who thrive in open spaces. However, the team needs to find a balance and ensure consistent execution on both ends of the floor.
- Fan Engagement: Despite the loss, Suns fans remain engaged and hopeful. The team’s resilience and potential for growth keep the fanbase optimistic about future performances.
As the Suns continue to adapt to injuries and lineup changes, maintaining focus and improving execution will be essential. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis on the Phoenix Suns’ journey this season.
Traditionally, press defenses are a weapon of last resort in the NBA, fit only for highly specific scenarios or times of desperation. Professional basketball players simply are too good at passing and dribbling to be susceptible to large doses of full-court press — or so the thinking went. But the thinking, it is a-changin’.
Synergy’s database goes back to the 2008-2009 season, and before last year, only one team had used press on even 5% of their defensive possessions: the 2020-21 Charlotte Hornets.
Last year, however, we saw a notable rise in the press defense, thanks to two teams. The Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers both beat Charlotte’s mark. Portland led the league by pressing 7.2% of the time, yielding only .94 points per possession (well below their typical defensive rating of 1.04, although that’s not by any means an apples-to-apples comparison), and I predicted that this year, the Blazers — featuring heavy doses of ambulatory fly paper Toumani Camara — would crack 10%.
I had the right idea but the wrong team. Instead, the Pacers are currently pressing 11.9% of the time, followed closely by Brooklyn’s 11.5% (the Blazers come in third, with a still historically high 8.4%). In retrospect, Indiana’s surging interest in the press shouldn’t be a huge surprise — they picked up full-court on nearly a quarter of their possessions in last year’s playoffs. That’s insane!
They haven’t been quite that extreme this year, but look at this graph of every team’s percentage of defensive possessions in press defense:
Six teams in total are pressing more than 5% of the time. 22 of the league’s 30 teams are pressing more this year than last (with the caveat that we’re talking about a couple dozen possessions or fewer for many of these teams), and this is by far the most press we’ve seen since the data became available. Given the weaknesses we mentioned in the opening paragraph, why is the press gaining popularity?
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis
Sam Vecenie of the Athletic breaks down how this year’s rookies have started. I don’t agree with all of his picks, but he’s always thoughtful with his selections and insightful with his analysis. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Personnel
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto goes behind the scenes with the Indiana Pacers’ coaching staff. Mostly, you get a better appreciation for how little coaches sleep! (HoopsHype)
Must Read
Jared Dubin investigates the rise in dunks over time for his newsletter “Last Night, In Basketball.” It’s a fun, breezy read! (Last Night, In Basketball)
Analysis
Check out how Coach Budenholzer’s adaptations are shaping the Suns’ strategy without KD and the impact of players like Grayson Allen and Jalen Bridges. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Fans
Represent The Valley. The Suns unveiled their City Edition jerseys for this season. (NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Wednesday’s Notable Fantasy Basketball Performances
Nov 13, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images|Photo By Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
In the ever-evolving world of fantasy basketball, keeping an eye on emerging talents and consistent performers is key to maintaining a competitive edge. Let’s delve into the standout performances of three young guns, as well as the continued dominance of Giannis, and explore their potential impact on your fantasy lineup.
Donovan Clingan: A Rising Star?
Donovan Clingan’s recent performance has caught the attention of fantasy managers everywhere. With 31 minutes on the court, Clingan delivered an impressive stat line of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and a staggering eight blocks. His ability to dominate the paint and contribute defensively makes him a valuable asset, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Deandre Ayton’s injury status. While Clingan’s long-term role remains uncertain, his current form makes him a must-add in fantasy leagues, particularly for those in need of blocks and rebounds.
Jared McCain: Rookie on the Rise
Jared McCain has quickly become a hot topic in fantasy circles, thanks to his explosive performance in the absence of key players like Paul George and Joel Embiid. McCain’s 34-point game, complete with six three-pointers and 10 assists, showcases his potential as a high-usage player. While his current role is bolstered by injuries to teammates, McCain’s talent is undeniable. Fantasy managers should consider adding him to their rosters, but remain cautious about his long-term value once the team’s stars return.
Click the button below to see how Giannis continues to be a fantasy force, and why for Victor Wembanyama, the future is now.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Phoenix Suns No-Show 5th Straight Loss To Knicks, Is the Issue Bigger Than Injuries?
The Phoenix Suns gave up a season-worst 138 points and looked lifeless for much of their fifth straight loss to the New York Knicks. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the loss, including how much blame Devin Booker deserves and why the defense was so ugly just days after several solid performances.
The Kevin Durant Balancing Act Plus Are the Phoenix Suns Any Closer To An Answer At Center?
As the Phoenix Suns await the return of Kevin Durant, are there ways to balance his workload while still winning and building chemistry? Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia debate KD’s minutes and role before diving into three-headed monster at center and whether the Suns are any closer to addressing that weakness. To close, a preview of Suns-Knicks on Wednesday night.
Phoenix Suns Outmatched By Orlando Magic As Devin Booker Gets Bottled Up Again
The Phoenix Suns lost a third straight game to a tough defensive Orlando Magic team as Devin Booker went quiet once again. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia react to another Suns L, including why Booker struggled, why they lost, and how they could have overcome Orlando.
