That mark ranks seventh among 61 players with at least 500 direct isolations over the last three years (including playoffs). Over the last three seasons, Durant’s teams have scored an efficient 1.11 points per *direct possession when he has isolated, according to Second Spectrum. But few teams are going to have three capable defenders, and even fewer (none?) are going to have three capable defenders with size. Opponents may want to switch actions between the Suns’ three stars in an effort to stay in front of them. The play above began with a Booker-Durant, empty-corner pick-and-roll, which the Nuggets switched … Whether he’s shooting or passing, Durant in the post is generally good offense that doesn’t require a traditional point guard. That’s not a huge sample size, partly because he doesn’t post up a ton and partly because he’s going to see double-teams a lot … Over the last three seasons, Durant has shot an efficient 112-for-193 (58%) on post-ups, according to Second Spectrum tracking. The offense doesn’t have to run from the top of the floor. But he’s generally willing to get off the ball when the situation calls for it … He’s a scorer first and foremost, and he’ll force things at times. He can make plays out of the pick-and-roll when he draws the attention of the defense …īooker had almost as many ball-screens per 100 possessions (36.8) set for him. That rate ranked 27th among 109 players who used at least 500 screens. But the last two seasons have come with the two highest assist ratios of his career: 21.1% in 2021-22 and 19.6% last season.Īccording to Second Spectrum tracking, Beal had 38.2 ball-screens per 100 possessions set for him last season. Indications are that Beal will be the nominal point guard in a starting lineup that also includes Booker, Durant, Deandre Ayton and one of the 11 Suns that are making less than $3 million.īeal played less than 10% of his minutes at point guard (with none of Goodwin, Monte Morris or Delon Wright on the floor) last season. Here are some notes, numbers and film on the Suns’ new big three. No other team has three guys in the top 25. * Among 285 players who’ve played at least 200 games over the last five years, Kevin Durant (27.8), Beal (27.0) and Devin Booker (26.6) rank sixth, ninth and 10th in points per game. While there’s no denying the talent of the trio that’s set to make more than $444 million over the next three years, there is certainly some curiosity about how they’ll play together offensively. He’ll certainly get some backup minutes for the Suns this year, but might not be a part of an eight or nine-man rotation in the playoffs.Įither way, while the Suns have three of the best scorers in the league*, they’ll mostly be playing without a true point guard. But he was undrafted two years ago, has played just 1,111 career minutes and was on the floor for less than 2,400 possessions last season. Jordan Goodwin, who was also acquired in the Beal trade, had an assist ratio of 27.6% for the Wizards last season. As rosters currently stand, the Suns are the only team that doesn’t have at least one of those 69 players. There were 69 players who were on the floor for at least 3,000 offensive trips last season and recorded assists on at least 20 percent of their individual possessions. Then, rather than keep their other point guard (Cameron Payne), they salary-dumped him in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs. In late June, they traded Chris Paul for Bradley Beal. Three years later, the Phoenix Suns are set to play without a point guard. Harden was traded early the following season and the no-center strategy was short-lived. Tucker at the five, but that was, essentially, the end of the James Harden era in Houston. The Rockets won a playoff series starting P.J. Bradley Beal will have the ball in his hands often in 2023-24, but will he thrive as a playmaker for the Suns?īefore the 2020 trade deadline, the Houston Rockets traded Clint Capela to Atlanta, signaling that they would play the rest of the season without a traditional center.
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