Mason Plumlee’s subtle brilliance on display in Phoenix

They say that slow and steady wins the race. If that is the case, then Phoenix Suns’ backup center is crossing the finishing line.

Mason Plumlee joined the Suns after spending a season and a half with the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that posed consistent challenges. Facing the Clippers meant preparing for their starting center, Ivica Zubac, but the task didn’t ease when he took a seat. When Plumlee stepped onto the court, it wasn’t a moment for relief or celebration. He was a dependable backup, rooted in strong fundamentals, and more than capable of outperforming our backup big in one-on-one matchups.

Now, with Plumlee on the Suns, he may not be making highlight reels, but he’s doing exactly what most of the roster has done so far: embracing his role.

Drew Eubanks was a sub-par backup last year, there is simply no other way to put it. The role of the backup center does not need to be a world-beater. But it does need to be one of stability. The Suns were worse when he was on the floor. He was a team-worst -106 last season. We just needed him to be 75% of what Nurkic was, and he’d be okay. Nurkic, mind you, led the team with +404.

Eubanks is in Utah now and ironically is leading the 1-7 Jazz with a +14 +/-. In his place for Phoenix is the 11-year veteran Mason Plumlee.

Plumlee has brought that much-needed stability to the Suns’ backup center position. Thanks to his strong grasp of positioning, he isn’t hurting the team. While the offense may not be as fluid or dynamic, the Suns remain competent on both ends of the floor when Plumlee is on the court.

So far, his stat line is modest: averaging 16 minutes per game, 4.2 points on 65.2% shooting, and 4.4 rebounds, with 1.2 of those being offensive. He ranks fourth on the team with 11 offensive rebounds and is second with a +28 plus/minus. Additionally, he holds the fourth-best net rating on the team at +6.0.

These numbers are partly due to his shared minutes with fellow bench player Royce O’Neale. In their 80 shared minutes this season, they boast an impressive 138.3 offensive rating, a 114.6 defensive rating, and a net rating of +23.7.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer has relied on Mason Plumlee when Jusuf Nurkic struggles. In the Suns’ second matchup against the Clippers at the Intuit Dome, Nurkic appeared rushed and unfocused, posting a -14 in just 8:47 of the first quarter. Budenholzer benched him for the rest of the half, turning to Plumlee to bring stability at the center position and help steady both the offense and defense.

Mason Plumlee’s physical limitations, particularly his lack of top-tier athleticism, might set boundaries on what he can accomplish on the court. However, his cerebral approach to the game has been a welcomed asset for the Suns. His basketball IQ, combined with a keen sense of positioning and decision-making, allows him to contribute in ways that go beyond raw athletic ability.

This savvy play has been a crucial part of his seamless integration into the team’s system. By embracing his role and executing it effectively, Plumlee has become a quiet catalyst for the Suns’ early-season success. His consistent presence has helped steady the team, contributing to their impressive seven-game winning streak and propelling them to lead the Western Conference with an 8-1 record.

Oh, and he shoots free throws left handed.