Sports Illustrated|3 minute read
Time to Get It Right: Phoenix Suns and Their Shot Selection Woes
Let’s cut the crap, folks. The Phoenix Suns are currently shooting themselves in the foot with a performance that’s about as exciting as watching paint dry. Their shot selection? It’s in dire need of a makeover, and fast. With stars like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the roster, one would expect them to be lighting up the scoreboard like it’s the Fourth of July. Instead, they’re floundering in basketball purgatory, and it’s high time we dissect this mess.
The Grim Stats: A Shot Selection Nightmare
Here’s the dirty little secret: the Suns are only taking 23.3% of their shots from close range. That’s a paltry figure that puts them at the bottom of the league—30th ranked, to be exact. I mean, come on! When you have a roster that boasts some of the best scorers in the game, why the hell are you settling for long-range chucking? The reasoning behind this trend is as murky as a swamp in Louisiana.
Not Taking Advantage of the Stars
Look, the Suns have the firepower—Durant and Booker are walking buckets. Yet, here they are, opting for contested threes and fading jumpers instead of attacking the rim. It’s like having a Ferrari in your garage and deciding to ride a tricycle to work. It just doesn’t make sense!
Why This Matters: The Ripple Effect
When you shy away from the paint, you’re not only lowering your shooting percentage, but you’re also missing out on vital opportunities. Free throws, offensive rebounds, and the chance to draw fouls? Forget about it! The Suns are playing a game of basketball roulette, and they’re losing more often than they’re winning. This strategy is a one-way ticket to mediocrity.
Coaching Conundrum
You have to wonder if the coaching staff is aware or if they’re just as clueless as a deer in headlights. Are they preaching analytics over instinct? Because if that’s the case, they need to get their heads out of the spreadsheets. Basketball is about rhythm, feel, and momentum—something that’s getting lost in the numbers game.
What Can Be Done?
So, what’s the remedy? First off, the Suns need to revisit their offensive playbook. More pick-and-rolls, more aggressive drives to the basket, and for the love of everything holy, more close-range shots! Getting into the paint isn’t just about scoring; it opens up the floor for shooters. It’s a domino effect that could turn this ship around.
Relying on the Right Players
Secondly, it’s about trusting your stars to make plays. Durant and Booker need to be given the green light to attack the rim. They’re not just scorers; they’re playmakers who can create opportunities for others. The Suns have to unleash their full potential, not put them in chains with this lackluster approach.
Final Thoughts: The Suns Need a Wake-Up Call
The Phoenix Suns are at a crossroads. They can either continue down this path of poor shot selection and mediocrity or they can wake up and realize the talent they possess. It’s time for this team to step up, take a hard look in the mirror, and get their act together. Because right now, they’re on a trajectory that leads straight to nowhere.
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