The Phoenix Suns have lost their First Round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in embarrassing fashion, swept by Anthony Edwards and Co. as their three stars were unable to get it going.
In the series, Kevin Durant was their only consistent volume scorer. A 14-time All-Star and four-time scoring champion, he averaged 26.8 points per game on 55.2 percent shooting from the field. However, entering Game 3, he was only converting 33.3 percent of his 3s and had more turnovers (9) than assists (8). Usually capable of going toe-to-toe with the opposing team’s best scorer, he was unable to match Edwards’ virtuoso performance.
ANTMAN SHOWED OUT IN ROUND 1
31.0 PPG
Minnesota advances to the West Semis in the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel! pic.twitter.com/HtXyZpewKE
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2024
Kevin Durant Never Felt Comfortable With Role
The Timberwolves’ aggressive defense had a bit to do with Durant’s off-kilter performance. Led by Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota hunted Phoenix’s Big 3, making them as uncomfortable as possible. However, apparently, “Durant never felt comfortable with his role in Phoenix’s offense alongside Booker and Beal this season” (per The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Doug Haller).
“Those sources said Durant had persistent issues with the offense, feeling that he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper designs to play to his strengths as the offense was built around pick-and-rolls. At the same time, some teammates and people close to the organization believed Durant needed to voice his concerns more adamantly and directly with Vogel and his coaching staff.”
As an isolation-heavy scorer, Durant’s shooting stroke at 6-foot-11 has led to him lighting up NBA scoreboards for 16 years. With that said, the idea that the Suns wouldn’t make every effort to ensure he’s comfortable in the offense doesn’t sound too believable. Especially considering that the Suns traded five first-round picks for him last February.
To that point, 17.7 percent of Durant’s offensive possessions in 2023-24 were isolation attempts, 9.2 percent were post-ups, 5.5 percent were dribble handoffs, and 4.4 percent were cuts. Compare those numbers to their 2021-22 counterparts, when Durant finished top-10 in MVP voting. That season, 19.5 percent of his offensive possessions were isolation attempts, 9.1 percent were post-ups, 6.4 percent were dribble handoffs and 3.1 percent were cuts.
It’s not an exact match but the similarity is striking.
The Suns Need a Floor General
In a general sense, “Phoenix’s players questioned the coaching staff’s inability to structure the offense and maximize the output of a lineup featuring three of the game’s best scorers.”
To that point, the Suns did question their identity throughout the season. This was in large part due to the natural effects of him, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal playing together as teammates for the first time. However, it’s also because Phoenix traded away a renowned floor general and then expected Booker to replace him. Once Booker grew tired of masquerading as a point guard, Beal took hold of the reins.
With that said, although Suns head coach Frank Vogel is on the hot seat, finding a starting point guard should be Phoenix’s top priority this offseason.
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