Ch-ch-ch-changes…
Redemption. It’s the moment in a story when the protagonist, battered by struggles, finally learns the lesson that turns everything around. Often, it marks the midpoint or the crucial shift from the second act into the third, paving the way for a comeback that redefines the narrative.
For the Phoenix Suns, some might say redemption is already underway. The turning point has arrived, and while the season hasn’t yet hit its midpoint, the trajectory feels unmistakably different.
A massive shift occurred this week for the Phoenix Suns, and it began with Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic moving to the bench. Was there an ulterior motive? Is this a chess move? Or is Mike Budenholzer simply playing a remedial game of checkers, recognizing that Beal off the bench is something that could help the team holistically?
The move didn’t hurt, of that I’m sure. The Suns had one of their strongest weeks of the season in Week 12, and perhaps this will be remembered as the moment the tide began to turn. Bradley Beal has embraced his new role with surprising grace, even if, statistically, not much has shifted.
Credit where it’s due: Beal could have thrown a fit, sulked, or conveniently come down with a mysterious ailment. Instead, he’s stepped up. Aside from his brief remark about “holding all the cards,” Beal has quietly fulfilled what’s been asked of him. While his numbers haven’t been groundbreaking, they do hint at a subtle adjustment in his role, one that’s helping the team find its footing.
Bradley Beal’s splits as a starter and reserve:
Starter: 33.4 minutes, 17.8 points (48/39/76 splits), 3.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds, -6.0 +/-
Reserve: 32.0 minutes, 17.4 points (53/36/75 splits), 4.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds, +0.6 +/- pic.twitter.com/cgyeruoI2C
— John Voita (@DarthVoita) January 13, 2025
Beal coming off the bench is like a cosmic shift that finally makes sense in the basketball universe. Something I’ve been pining for. And now we’re seeing it and good things are happening.
What matters is that Devin Booker gets to rediscover his essence, his rhythm, his unapologetic artistry on the court. He’s no longer glancing left at Kevin Durant or right at Bradley Beal, feeling the silent pressure of coexisting greatness as the clock starts ticking. Now, he’s free to flow, to let the game come to him, to be Booker in the way we all know he can be.
And yet, redemption feels like a distant mirage. I want to believe this is the moment, the turning point in a season where the narrative finally shifts from frustration to fulfillment. But belief is cheap without proof. I need more. I need to see this team tested against the NBA’s elites, the top-tier gladiators of the hardwood, before I can embrace any notion of salvation.
Yes, their Week 12 record glimmers with promise, but it’s a fragile sparkle. Beneath it, cracks spread like spider veins in glass. Small, maybe, but undeniable. Scraping out wins against subpar teams isn’t redemption; it’s survival. It’s the faint heartbeat of a story teetering on the edge of greatness or collapse. Desperation masquerading as potential. It’s the kind of narrative that hooks you and keeps you watching, waiting, needing to know how the second act unfolds, even if you suspect the third act ends in heartbreak.
Still, the final chapter isn’t written. My realist brain sees a grim conclusion waiting in the shadows, but the optimist in me whispers, anything can happen. And why not? This team is winning, and winning heals wounds, even if temporarily. For now, I’ll cling to the optimism because in this strange, chaotic script of the Phoenix Suns, hope is still the most compelling character.
Week 12 Record: 4-1
@ Philadelphia 76ers, W, 109-99
- Suns 3PAr: 38.3%
- Suns 3PT%: 45.2%
The Sixth Man Beal strategy paid off in Philly. Bradley Beal came off the bench and dropped 25 points, leading the Suns in scoring. Phoenix also found their rhythm from beyond the arc, knocking down 14-of-31 three-pointers, a mark they’ve hit only once since December 19.
@ Charlotte Hornets, L, 133-125
- Suns 3PAr: 35.9%
- Suns 3PT%: 24.2%
The pendulum of hope, swinging toward the Suns finally turning a corner, came crashing back and smacked them square in the temple on Tuesday night. Facing the youthful energy of the Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix fell flat once again.
The gap between the Suns’ aging roster and the raw explosiveness of younger teams was glaring, with 23-year-old LaMelo Ball running circles around them. As for their interior defense? It was nonexistent. They let Nick Richards — who doesn’t even crack the starting lineup for his own team — look like an All-Star.
The Suns shot 24.2% from deep, their worst shooting percentage on the season.
Atlanta Hawks, W, 123-115
- Suns 3PAr: 38.8%
- Suns 3PT%: 39.4%
The Suns responded on Dave King’s Bright Side Night and, despite an abdominal second quarter defensively, regrouped in the second half to garner a victory. They gave up 41 points in that second quarter. They gave up 43 points in the second half.
A couple of second-half factors paved the way for the Suns’ 8-point victory.
The Hawks shot a blistering 12-of-18 from deep in the first half but cooled off significantly to just 3-of-14 in the second. Was it a case of improved Suns’ perimeter defense, or did the Hawks simply hit an icy patch? According to NBA.com metrics, 38.9% of Atlanta’s first-half three-point attempts were “wide open,” compared to just 14.2% in the second half. Looks like the Suns’ defense deserves the credit for shutting things down on the perimeter.
The Suns perimeter defense last night:
❄️1st Half: Allowed 38.9% of Hawk threes to be wide open
2nd Half: Allowed 14.2% of Hawk threes to be wide open— John Voita (@DarthVoita) January 10, 2025
Utah Jazz, W, 114-105
- Suns 3PAr: 43.0%
- Suns 3PT%: 35.1%
It’s always easier to look good when you’re shooting well against the dregs of the league. Phoenix didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard against Utah, but they did just enough from beyond the arc to keep the Jazz at arm’s length when they tried to mount a late-game push.
And let’s not forget, Utah shooting a pathetic 21.4% from three on a healthy 43.8% attempt rate didn’t exactly help their cause. You could almost hear the rim laughing.
Charlotte Hornets, W, 120-113
- Suns 3PAr: 47.1%
- Suns 3PT%: 41.5%
Speaking of redemption, the Suns redeemed themselves against the Hornets, avenging their only Week 12 loss in a win that felt like it was going to go otherwise. The Suns were down the majority of this game, but a valiant effort in the fourth quarter, one that saw them surrender just 15 points to the Hornets, pushed them over the finish line to victory.
I’ll give the Suns credit for their tenacity and grit in fighting through this one, but you have to wonder what on earth happened to the Hornets? In the first half, they were dominating the Suns in the paint, absolutely tearing them apart on the interior. But then came the second half, and it was like they forgot their own game plan. They abandoned the paint, chased highlight-reel threes, and paid the price for it. That shift in focus cost them the game, plain and simple.
Week 12: 40.6% 3PAr, 37.1 3PT%
Who doesn’t like a good graph?
The Suns didn’t join the 40/40 club this week, but 37.1% on the week relative to accuracy is a good thing.
What does this graph mean to you? How are you interpreting this data? With 12 weeks of numbers now in the books, we can finally start drawing some meaningful conclusions.
It’s funny. I think back to when I kicked off this ‘Tracking 40 quest’, curious about what trends might emerge. Back then, the heat was oppressive; now, it’s a crisp 33° on the drive to work. The change in weather feels symbolic, mirroring the evolution of this Suns season.
To me, this graph tells a small but vital part of a much larger story. A story of adjustment and adaptation. The Suns began the season as a team firing away from beyond the arc, embracing volume as their calling card. But as time has gone on, and Mike Budenholzer has learned more about his players’ strengths, there’s been a noticeable shift. He’s starting to accept that not everyone on this roster is built to jack up 10 threes a game.
The data reflects this. The trend line for the Suns’ three-point rate is steadily declining. The accuracy line? Holding strong. As of now, the Suns are shooting threes at a rate of 43.9%, 11th in the NBA. But the focus has shifted from sheer volume to ensuring quality looks. Contrast that with the Charlotte Hornets, who sit 4th in three-point rate yet are just 25th in three-point percentage at 34.2%. The Suns, on the other hand, rank 6th in percentage at 37.6%.
The takeaway is clear: it’s not just about launching threes, it’s about smart threes. Quality over quantity, though some quantity is still essential to keep defenses honest. This is the lesson we’re watching unfold in real-time. A team learning to refine its identity while staying competitive.
Week 13. Lucky 13? Are you superstitious about that number? Do you avoid the 13th floor of buildings or never bet on black 13 when playing roulette?
Week 13 marks the midpoint of the NBA’s regular season — the season is 26 weeks in total — and the Suns are 38 games in with 46 left to play. The schedule will compress as the weeks go on, and this one kicks off a grueling five-city East Coast road trip. The Suns are set to face teams with a combined record of 91-100 (.476), starting with a Tuesday night matchup in Atlanta. From there, it’s off to Washington, D.C., for a Thursday game against the Wizards, followed by a Saturday matinee against the Detroit Pistons.
On paper, these are three games the Suns should win. But basketball isn’t played on paper. Does their redemption arc gain momentum this week, or will they stumble and leave us questioning their trajectory once again? That’s why we tune in. Because nothing is guaranteed, and the drama of the unknown keeps us hooked.