Phoenix Suns governor Mat Ishbia made a bold statement this offseason, asserting the team would perform better without stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and early results seem to support his claim. Following the departure of the two former All-Stars, the Suns have successfully embraced a more cohesive and balanced approach, focusing on teamwork, ball movement, and a fortified defense.
With the absence of their previous high-profile scorers, the Suns have strategically added role players who align more closely with their team culture. Dillon Brooks has emerged as a significant asset, enhancing the team’s defensive identity and fostering accountability among teammates. His leadership has prompted even established players from last season to elevate their performance.
Role players are thriving, with Collin Gillespie stepping into a vital position at point guard, showcasing substantial improvement. Grayson Allen has also made his mark as one of the league’s most prolific three-point shooters this season, benefiting from the freedom to take more shots.
The Suns are fully committing to a modern style of play characterized by spread shooting and versatile defensive strategies. They previously struggled to mesh due to overlapping skill sets among Durant, Beal, and Devin Booker, which sometimes resulted in a sluggish offensive rhythm. Now, without the weight of star-driven isolation plays, increased ball movement has significantly contributed to their offensive success.
Devin Booker, as the team’s focal point, is thriving this season, putting up higher scoring numbers and efficiency than in the previous year. The current roster structure allows the team to better withstand injuries, providing a timely benefit as the long season progresses.
This season has seen the Suns vastly exceed expectations, with offseason additions yielding positive surprises. While predicting such success was a challenge for outsiders, Ishbia and his team appeared to recognize early indicators of their promising play.
Fans are optimistic, encouraged by the team’s performance thus far, and are hopeful this trend will continue throughout the remainder of the season.