Goran Dragic.
Game Details
- Tip Off: 7:00 PM PT
- Television: CSN-BA+
Phoenix Suns Team Profile
- Offensive Efficiency: 97.9 (29th in NBA)
- Defensive Efficiency: 105.7 (23rd in NBA)
Leaders
- Points: Goran Dragic, 14.4 PPG
- Rebounds: Marcin Gortat, 8.5 RPG
- Assists: Goran Dragic, 7.1 APG
- Steals: Goran Dragic, 1.5 SPG
- Blocks: Marcin Gortat, 1.6 BPG
- Field Goal Percentage: Marcin Gortat, 52.1% FG
- 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: Jared Dudley, 39.8% 3PT FG
Scope the Opposition: Valley of the Suns.
Preview: It’s been a trying season in the desert.
As predicted by yours truly, the Phoenix Suns (23-52) have the worst record in the Pacific division. What’s more, they are at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, looking up at the New Orleans Hornets (26-49) and Sacramento Kings (27-48) to name a few.
In their last 10 games, they’ve seen victory once. In addition, the Suns are tied with the Orlando Magic (19-57) for the second worst scoring differential in the league at minus-6.8.
In other words, only one other team in the NBA — Charlotte Bobcats — is more likely to lose by double digits.
This has been particularly pertinent since the end of January. Indeed, since February 1st, Phoenix has won 7-of-29 contests. Their scoring differential during these 29 games is a putrid minus-11.1.
Their last game against the Los Angeles Clippers (50-26) was for the most part par for the course at this point in the regular season. The Clips blew them off the floor and even took some liberties with their players.
Ryan Hollins magically morphed into a basketball bully — not an enforcer, a bully — and decided he would punk Goran Dragic. He was rescued by his teammates and the altercation diverted the attention away from the humbling defeat.
The Suns just aren’t a good basketball club. In some respects, they are a little reminiscent of the Sacramento Kings: they have numerous players that one likes, but grouping them all together is a recipe for disaster.
Dragic is their best player when in fact he should be the third or fourth best guy on a team contending for the postseason.
Gortat is a good pick-and-roll big man. He finishes around the basket and pushes people around with his body, but he’s incapable of carrying an offense or defense for that matter.
That leaves us then with Michael Beasley, Jermaine O’Neal, Luis Scola, Shannon Brown and the Morris (Markieff and Marcus) twins. Each player has enjoyed great moments respectively in their careers and even this season, but these talents are complimentary players.
A solid core surrounded by one or each of these players can unquestionably thrive in the league. But if asked to complete each other, that’s asking far too much from this roster.
The Golden State Warriors (43-32) obviously can’t take Lindsey Hunter’s team lightly, but they are far better equipped to win this contest than their opponents.
The Dubs have won all three matchups so far this season and will be looking for a sweep of the season series tonight.
Look for an aggressive and efficient Klay Thompson tonight. In the three previous contests against the Suns, he’s averaged 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and four assists per game on 45.8 percent field goal shooting and 50 percent 3-point shooting.
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