PHOENIX SUNS

Phoenix Suns’ Lon Babby: Defense still doesn’t trust each other

Nov 29, 2012, 1:22 AM | Updated: 1:22 am

It’s safe to say the Phoenix Suns have not gotten off to the kind of start defensively as they would have hoped.

Head coach Alvin Gentry and his staff put a renewed emphasis on improving the team’s defense during camp and preseason, but so far the Suns haven’t been able to translate their hard work and preparation to success on the court.

The Suns’ defensive efficiency percentage is tied for 25th in the league with a 104.5 rating, a number that more than highlights the deficiencies in that area.

Team President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug & Wolf Wednesday he has had a revelation about the Suns’ struggles to defend the hoop.

“One thing I find so interesting about basketball is that it’s a game of trust and I think our problems are not physical as they are, they are not even mental so much as technical,” Babby said. “What [the problems] boil down to listening to [Gentry] and his communications with the other coaches and with the team is nobody’s quite yet able to trust that the person who has the responsibility behind them is going to be there to do it.”

Phoenix Suns

Grayson Allen of the Phoenix Suns...

Arizona Sports

Grayson Allen reinjures ankle vs. Timberwolves in Game 2

Grayson Allen reinjured an ankle sprain in Game 2 of Phoenix Suns' matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2 minutes ago

Dvein Booker vs. Jaden McDaniels...

Kevin Zimmerman

Suns find defensive legs to grind past rough start vs. T-Wolves

The Phoenix Suns' defense overcame a turnover-filled start in Game 2 to draw nearly even against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

24 minutes ago

Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player award....

Associated Press

76ers’ Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player award, Grayson Allen receives votes

Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player. Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen received votes.

2 hours ago

Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns guard...

Arizona Sports

Grayson Allen will play despite injured ankle in Game 2 of Suns-Timberwolves

Grayson Allen will play Tuesday in Game 2 of his Phoenix Suns' first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

3 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Will a Phoenix Suns loss in Game 2 signal the end of an era for the team?

As the Phoenix Suns prepare for Game 2 of their playoff series with the Timberwolves, Wolf & Luke ponder on what the future holds for the team should they lose again in Minnesota.

7 hours ago

Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards...

Arizona Sports

Full schedule: How to watch Suns-Timberwolves Game 2

The No. 6 seed Phoenix Suns will travel to meet the No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

7 hours ago

Phoenix Suns’ Lon Babby: Defense still doesn’t trust each other