Absence of T.J. Warren leaves massive void for Suns to fill
Jan 16, 2018, 10:59 AM | Updated: 11:22 am
Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren, middle, drives to the basket between Los Angeles Clippers guard Milos Teodosic, left, and center DeAndre Jordan during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Every Batman needs his Robin. At least that’s how Phoenix Suns head coach Jay Triano correlates the relationship between Devin Booker and T.J. Warren.
A fourth-year pro, Warren is in the midst of his best NBA season. His scoring has increased year-to-year and he is averaging 19.7 points per game, second on the Suns behind Booker (24.6).
“For a young player he’s consistent and steady,” Triano told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “Some players have to WORK to get 20 points. T.J. will get you 20 on a consistent basis.”
The scoring ability of Warren was never a question. He posted nearly 25 points per game as a sophomore at North Carolina State before Phoenix drafted him 14th overall in 2014.
His health, on the other hand, has hampered his time on the floor and the productivity of the Suns.
Warren, out for two of the past four games due to illness and back spasms, has missed an additional 51 games over the last two seasons. Phoenix is 13-40 without him on the floor, including a record of 0-2 in 2018.
“He [Warren] figures out a way to get you 20 points. It’s a knack and skill he’s got. We’re missing that lately,” Triano told Doug & Wolf.
As much as Triano misses the offensive output of his versatile wing, it is likely that Booker misses him more.
One of the premier young scorers in the NBA, Booker has struggled throughout his career when Warren is on the sidelines. Here is a look at Booker’s statistics when Warren has been injured.
2015-2016 (35 games): 18.8 points per game .398/.299/.860
2016-2017 (16 games): 16.9 points per game .392/.338/.750
2017-2018 (2 games): 18.0 points per game .394/.333/1.000
As one of the younger teams in the NBA, the Suns rely heavily on Booker and Warren as the duo accounts for 42 percent of Phoenix’s points. When one is missing, opposing defenses can key in on the other.
“Devin is the focal point of everyone’s defense. Makes it tough on him when you don’t have the Robin guy to keep us in this until we can free up Booker,” Triano told Doug & Wolf. “We miss him [Warren], it’s become evident the last couple games.”
