Why the Suns will have the NBA's most prolific backcourt

[bwgood77]

Yeah, another article....seems everyone is writing about the Suns these days...

The Phoenix Suns' backcourt will be the most prolific in the NBA by the end of the season. Yes, it's a bold statement, but it's not crazy when we take a look at some of the facts.

As we stand, Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe are virtually mirror images of each other. Dragic averages 19.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 35 minutes. Bledsoe averages 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 34.6 minutes per game.

Looking at the rest of the NBA, can you guess how many players average 19/3/6/1? The answer is eight. Aside from Dragic and Bledsoe, there's Chris Paul, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, John Wall, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving.

Looking from a pure statistical analysis, it's easy to see that the Suns' backcourt tandem stands up to any other in the league. Remember, we're not talking about winning the NBA championship -- we're just talking about the backcourt.

I'd argue that Joe Johnson and Deron Williams should get lots of love, but they haven't exactly put it all together just yet this season. Certainly, Golden State's Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are up there, as are Washington's John Wall and Bradley Beal.

Looking at the backcourt as a whole, the Suns are fourth in the NBA in efficiency differential, coming in at +7.9. Only the Los Angeles Clippers (+17.5), San Antonio Spurs (+13.6) and Houston Rockets (+9.4) can claim better numbers.

As far as respect around the league is concerned, Bledsoe and Dragic are still underrated. Yes, the Suns have won five in a row, including big wins over the Rockets and Warriors. Yes, the Suns' backcourt outplayed both of their counterparts in those two games.

Still, the Suns have yet to gain the national attention that would enable them to truly be considered amongst the elite backcourts in the league. They've got a measuring stick game against the San Antonio Spurs tonight (Wednesday), but Tony Parker will be sitting out.

As the team's chemistry improves and it learns under head coach Jeff Hornacek, you've got to believe the numbers will stay where they are or improve, as opposed to getting any worse. The backcourts who some would consider to be better than Phoenix (mostly) have the luxury of familiarity.

I'm no fortune teller, as anyone who has seen some of my previous predictions would attest. However, by the end of the season, the Suns are not only going to make the playoffs, but they're also going to have the most exciting, electric and prolific backcourt tandem in the NBA.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-phoeni ... --nba.html

[Revived]

This backcourt only works if either Dragic or Bledsoe or both turn into good shooters. Spurs showed that by cutting off the penetration and daring em to shoot, the Suns backcourt is awful.

[jcsunsfan]

This backcourt only works if either Dragic or Bledsoe or both turn into good shooters. Spurs showed that by cutting off the penetration and daring em to shoot, the Suns backcourt is awful.

"Awful"? Good grief.

[bwgood77]

This backcourt only works if either Dragic or Bledsoe or both turn into good shooters. Spurs showed that by cutting off the penetration and daring em to shoot, the Suns backcourt is awful.

Awful is a bit of an overstatement, but I've been saying this...they really need to get better at outside shooting to be truly efficient. Teams will just increasingly play off these guys like they do with Rondo and Rubio. This is why you need a stretch four with these two, because to add another help defender into the lane REALLY leaves them no place to drive.

[Revived]

This backcourt only works if either Dragic or Bledsoe or both turn into good shooters. Spurs showed that by cutting off the penetration and daring em to shoot, the Suns backcourt is awful.

"Awful"? Good grief.

Shooting 12-33 with 0-5 on 3 pointers is awful. How is it not?

[Revived]

This backcourt only works if either Dragic or Bledsoe or both turn into good shooters. Spurs showed that by cutting off the penetration and daring em to shoot, the Suns backcourt is awful.

Awful is a bit of an overstatement, but I've been saying this...they really need to get better at outside shooting to be truly efficient. Teams will just increasingly play off these guys like they do with Rondo and Rubio. This is why you need a stretch four with these two, because to add another help defender into the lane REALLY leaves them no place to drive.

Yea if Frye can keep this up and at least contribute on the boards and maybe just a tad bit of defense, it would be good.

I think we need a good shooter at SF too. I know Tucker probably has great stats shooting from 3 but if you watch Suns games, you will know that he passes up a lot of 3s instead of taking them. Considering how often defenses leave him wide open, he should be shooting and making more 3s imo.

[bwgood77]

This backcourt only works if either Dragic or Bledsoe or both turn into good shooters. Spurs showed that by cutting off the penetration and daring em to shoot, the Suns backcourt is awful.

Awful is a bit of an overstatement, but I've been saying this...they really need to get better at outside shooting to be truly efficient. Teams will just increasingly play off these guys like they do with Rondo and Rubio. This is why you need a stretch four with these two, because to add another help defender into the lane REALLY leaves them no place to drive.

Yea if Frye can keep this up and at least contribute on the boards and maybe just a tad bit of defense, it would be good.

I think we need a good shooter at SF too. I know Tucker probably has great stats shooting from 3 but if you watch Suns games, you will know that he passes up a lot of 3s instead of taking them. Considering how often defenses leave him wide open, he should be shooting and making more 3s imo.

Yes that's why the one thing we need to draft or trade for is someone who can really knock down outside shots, so I've been watching all the highly rated swingmen that might be available in the teens and 20s, like James Young, Rodney Hood, and maybe even a guy like Doug McDermott would be a nice fit.

[Revived]

Awful is a bit of an overstatement, but I've been saying this...they really need to get better at outside shooting to be truly efficient. Teams will just increasingly play off these guys like they do with Rondo and Rubio. This is why you need a stretch four with these two, because to add another help defender into the lane REALLY leaves them no place to drive.

Yea if Frye can keep this up and at least contribute on the boards and maybe just a tad bit of defense, it would be good.

I think we need a good shooter at SF too. I know Tucker probably has great stats shooting from 3 but if you watch Suns games, you will know that he passes up a lot of 3s instead of taking them. Considering how often defenses leave him wide open, he should be shooting and making more 3s imo.

Yes that's why the one thing we need to draft or trade for is someone who can really knock down outside shots, so I've been watching all the highly rated swingmen that might be available in the teens and 20s, like James Young, Rodney Hood, and maybe even a guy like Doug McDermott would be a nice fit.

Yea, 3 & D wing players aren't that hard to find anymore to be honest.

[moneytreez]

Yeah Dragic and Bledsoe are fantastic about getting to the hoop.

But do you think the suns might move one of these guys while they are still valuable or will they try to make a playoff push?

[bwgood77]

Yeah Dragic and Bledsoe are fantastic about getting to the hoop.

But do you think the suns might move one of these guys while they are still valuable or will they try to make a playoff push?

I don't think they would move one of them unless they got some crazy offer that blew them away. They really don't need more picks or to go any younger at this point.

[Revived]

Awful is a bit of an overstatement, but I've been saying this...they really need to get better at outside shooting to be truly efficient. Teams will just increasingly play off these guys like they do with Rondo and Rubio. This is why you need a stretch four with these two, because to add another help defender into the lane REALLY leaves them no place to drive.

Yea if Frye can keep this up and at least contribute on the boards and maybe just a tad bit of defense, it would be good.

I think we need a good shooter at SF too. I know Tucker probably has great stats shooting from 3 but if you watch Suns games, you will know that he passes up a lot of 3s instead of taking them. Considering how often defenses leave him wide open, he should be shooting and making more 3s imo.

Yes that's why the one thing we need to draft or trade for is someone who can really knock down outside shots, so I've been watching all the highly rated swingmen that might be available in the teens and 20s, like James Young, Rodney Hood, and maybe even a guy like Doug McDermott would be a nice fit.

My favorite option would be to sign Luol Deng in the summer. He's an established All Star who is one of the best defenders in the NBA and has pretty good offensive game as well.

He's struggling shooting the ball but that has a lot to do with the Bulls having such a dysfunctional offense and no guard to create anything for anyone.

He may take a bit of a discount to come to Phoenix since he will have a well defined role here (play D and take and make the wide open 3s he gets), opportunity to play with in dual PG lineup so he won't have to worry about nobody creating for him and the chance to work without medical staff since he's been dealing with injuries the past 2 seasons.

[Ring_Wanted]

Deng is a good player, and has showed he can be very important on a contender, but I wouldn't go as far as calling him 'stablished allstar', but he can definitely help a team. An allstar role player, if you will.

Anyway, his game, leaving defense aside, is not what we really need from a SF. He is not a shooter and can't handle the ball. And he will look to get PAID (a discount to come here? really?). Would you want him at $12M+ during his 30s? I wouldn't.

[bwgood77]

I wouldn't mind going for Brandon Rush. Shoots the 3 very well. I'm not sure what Utah is doing with him, but he has just started to come back from injury. I don't think he will cost much, but would be a great guy to play with either pg or in place of Tucker if need be to stretch the floor, play some D.

[Frank Lee]

since he will have a well defined role here (play D and take and make the wide open 3s he gets), opportunity to play with in dual PG lineup so.......

you mean that awful backcourt combo ?

Anyway, his game, leaving defense aside, is not what we really need from a SF. He is not a shooter and can't handle the ball. And he will look to get PAID (a discount to come here? really?). Would you want him at $12M+ during his 30s? I wouldn't.

I inclined to agree with you here. He will be one of the top 2 or3 FAs on the auction block.


What we are seeing with this backcourt is plain in my eyes... they are so dangerous when their Js are dropping. About the only way to defend Bled is to make him pull up and shoot... though he sometimes tries to do too much with his dribbledriving and gets snarled in traffic. And someone mentioned in the game thread about making Dragic drive to his right. Wonder if that will play out as his achilles?

But, they can only get better.

[DirtyDez]

Yeah Dragic and Bledsoe are fantastic about getting to the hoop.

But do you think the suns might move one of these guys while they are still valuable or will they try to make a playoff push?

I don't think they would move one of them unless they got some crazy offer that blew them away. They really don't need more picks or to go any younger at this point.

If something happens it will be Dragic this summer IMO. Maybe involved in a Love deal since Minny won't trade him during the season.

[Ring_Wanted]

What we are seeing with this backcourt is plain in my eyes... they are so dangerous when their Js are dropping. About the only way to defend Bled is to make him pull up and shoot... though he sometimes tries to do too much with his dribbledriving and gets snarled in traffic. And someone mentioned in the game thread about making Dragic drive to his right. Wonder if that will play out as his achilles?

Dragic's biggest hole at the moment, besides shooting inconsistency from 3, is indeed his right hand. He just won't finish with his right, and when everything is said and done it costs him and the team some buckets every game. This is an area where he need to improve to really make it to the next level. It is not a huge problem because he is so crafty and can score and pass in many creative ways, but some times the best option is just a regular layup with the weak hand. It just needs to stop being so weak, he needs to polish this. Once he does, he'll be in another dimension with his offensive game.

As for Bledsoe, I've noticed no only what you mention about dribbling in traffic, but also that when he has an iso, he usually doesn't change directions, just tries to blow by his defender to his right. It was working perfectly at the beginning, but not so much as the season is progressing as I guess teams are taking notes of what our players do. In this case, some hesitation moves and change of direction would be huge. And again, more consistent effort on D.

[Revived]

Today again, we played a good team and the Bledsoe-Dragic backcourt didn't work.

These guys need to learn to shoot otherwise everyone will just dare them to shoot for the rest of the season. That's what I would do if I were playing against the Suns.

Way to stop the Suns starting offense: Get back in transition and back off on Bledsoe and Dragic TO to defend their drive and dare them to shoot.

During the Suns 5 game winning streak, Dragic was shooting well from from 3.