There are holes in the Phoenix Suns’ roster just like there are in every NBA team. Last night’s NBA Finals first-round matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks was far from perfect. Some are more noticeable than others; the Phoenix Suns rank depth and playmaking as their top priorities.
The team’s leadership thought starting Bradley Beal and Devin Booker would be a winning combination. Both of these players are top-tier shotmakers who have little trouble finding their scoring opportunities. Defending teams would have a tough time with their scoring prowess, wouldn’t they?
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Therefore, what went wrong? Possibly due to the fact that, in basketball, an individual’s influence on their teammates and opponents is more important than any particular ability the player may possess. A well-rounded skill set is required for success, and shooting is just one branch of that tree. Other branches include the ability to create space on the court and to set up teammates for success.
Behold the actions of the Dallas Mavericks. Also, they stacked their backcourt, but they went with two guards who could create offense instead. Similar to Booker and Beal’s backcourt, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving have little trouble finding their positions and making passes. The key distinction is their exceptional ability to build up individuals in their vicinity. They consistently perform well under pressure because they are missing a crucial ability: the ability to make plays.
Here, let’s start with the basics. The assist totals for the season will do the trick. Look at their season-long and clutch-situation assist totals instead of getting into the advanced stats to determine each player’s playmaking ability.
