CRONKITE SPORTS

Rebuilding Suns struggling with shot selection, decision-making

Nov 18, 2017, 5:17 AM | Updated: Nov 25, 2017, 4:22 pm

Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender, right, drives past Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bogut (66) ...

Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender, right, drives past Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bogut (66) to score during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, in Phoenix. The Lakers won 100-93. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX – It can’t be easy to coach a team with a cloud of uncertainty over your head.

That’s the challenge facing Sun interim coach Jay Triano, who inherited a team that’s a mixed bag of talent and experience. They have lost six of their last seven as they head into Thursday’s game against the Houston Rockets.

Many of their struggles are on offense. They rank last in the NBA in assist ratio, which is the percentage of a team’s possessions that end in an assist. They also rank near the bottom of the league in effective field goal percentage (which places a greater emphasis on 3-point shots) and true shooting percentage (which takes into account free throw shooting).

In Monday’s game against the Lakers, Triano said he witnessed the team passing up great shot opportunities to take poor ones. That’s opposite to the philosophy of the most successful teams in the past 20 years, including the San Antonio Spurs. This season, for example, the Golden State Warriors rank first in the NBA in assist ratio.

The Suns also are ranked 27th out of 30 teams in 3-point field goal percentage (33.16). Triano said they simply haven’t shot the ball enough in practice.

“Practices are dominated by what we’re trying to do to establish a system,” Triano said. “We’re a young team, so I don’t know if guys just aren’t completely used to it or that they just don’t get enough reps at shooting the ball.

“We showed 10 clips today where we turned down 10 open shots that we thought were open threes. The results were three turnovers and three tough mid-range shots. That’s six possessions where we went from a good shot to a not so good shot or no shot at all.”

The NBA is turning into a 3-point shooting league. Dragan Bender was expected to be a lethal shooter but has been inconsistent. Devin Booker is going to do what Booker does and knock down shots. Josh Jackson is working on his confidence. If he can start to develop his shot, many believe he could transform from a project to a rising star.

There have been accomplished shooters in NBA history who have been good shooters with unusual shot forms. One of which, Shawn Marion, played for the Suns.

“Josh is going to be a great player,” Triano said. “He’s trying to go fast. He’s trying to be that NOW.”

Triano spoke about Bender’s development, saying that he is steadily improving. The Suns drafted Bender fourth overall in 2016,  one year after another European player, Kristaps Porzingis, made waves in New York. Porzingis was also drafted fourth overall. The Suns would love Porzingis-like production out of Bender, which hasn’t happened.

Bender is playing approximately 21 minutes per game. His per-36 minutes numbers are around 10 point per game and 7 rebounds, which isn’t bad, especially for a raw, young player like Bender, who turns 20 on November 17.

The NBA has seen superstars who had slow starts to their careers and mediocre Year Two numbers including Tracy McGrady (9 points, 6 rebounds), John Stockton (7 points and 7 assists), Gary Payton (9 points, 6 assists), and Kobe Bryant (15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists).

The Suns hope to develop a culture in Phoenix that will convince their younger players to remain with the team during the tough times with an end goal in sight.

Cronkite Sports

Cronkite Sports

Sports gambling in Arizona moves closer to reality

In the near future, the Arizona sports fan’s experience could include the ability to place bets inside sports venues while the action unfolds.

3 years ago

Higley quarterback Kai Millner committed to Cal this spring, despite visiting the campus just once ...

Cronkite Sports

Arizona high school football recruits still committing amid coronavirus

Despite visiting campuses few times if at all in some cases, class of 2021 high school football prospects from Arizona are committing at record rates.

4 years ago

(Photo via Cronkite News courtesy Mesa Community College Facebook)...

Arizona Sports

COVID-19 prompts junior colleges to push for cancellation of sports

The 2020-21 school year for Maricopa County community colleges may not include sports, schools await a decision by the district chancellor.

4 years ago

New Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez believes outreach in the Arizona Hispanic market is ...

Cronkite Sports

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez looks to reach Latino community

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez is the first Latino president and CEO in NHL history and hopes to reach new fans in the Valley.

4 years ago

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who joined the Phoenix Mercury in the offseason, is ready to get the WNBA...

Cronkite Sports

Full pay, 22-game season in Florida on tap for Phoenix Mercury

Another league has agreed on a return-to-play plan in the month of July. This time it’s the WNBA, whose members include the Phoenix Mercury.

4 years ago

Phoenix Rising FC assistant coaches Peter Ramage (left) and Blair Gavin are awaiting details about ...

Cronkite Sports

Phoenix Rising players await news on resumption of USL Championship

Phoenix Rising FC and the USL Championship are set to resume play July 11 while players wait on more details for the return.

4 years ago

Rebuilding Suns struggling with shot selection, decision-making