Phoenix Suns still trying to solve point guard problems
Jan 23, 2018, 11:45 AM
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, confers with interim coach Jay Triano during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, in Denver. The Nuggets won 134-111. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Eric Bledsoe was traded after his relationship with the Phoenix Suns turned toxic. Monday’s game showed that the Suns need Bledsoe more than he needed them.
The Bucks point guard scored 19 points, including 11 free throw attempts, dished out seven assists and recorded four steals in a 109-105 win over the Suns. By comparison, Suns starting point guard Tyler Ulis didn’t take a single shot and had two assists.
With Ulis unable to score against Bledsoe or defend a bigger and physical guard, the point guard search continues for Jay Triano.
In his second season, Ulis has struggled with the transition into the starting lineup, averaging 7.2 points per game in 23.8 minutes. Phoenix signed Isaiah Canaan to a backup role after parting ways with Mike James earlier in the year, however, Triano has recently entertained the idea of replacing Ulis with Canaan in the starting lineup.
“It’s something we’re looking at. We’re looking at that, we’re looking at Devin [Booker] playing a little bit more point so that we can keep Troy Daniels and Josh Jackson on the floor a little bit more,” Triano told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “I like the second unit. Isaiah’s been good with the second unit. I don’t know how Tyler mixes with the second unit.”
As the search continues for a spark at the point guard position, Triano indicated that adjustments would be made to his current game plan.
“I think over the next 10-15 games, I expect to mix things up a little bit … See if we can maximize all of our players playing to their best ability.”
Skidding, Sliding and Firing
Milwaukee fired head coach Jason Kidd hours before its game against Phoenix on Monday. On the sideline, Triano was spotted not wearing a tie out of respect for Kidd.
“There’s only 30 of these jobs and we’re lucky to have them. When someone loses one of them it’s a tough thing,” Triano told Doug & Wolf. “That was the first time I’ve never worn a tie.”
Interim coach Joe Prunty won his first career game behind a boost from Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon, who combined for 67 points to hand the Suns their fourth loss in five games.
Rallying behind the dismissal of their coach, the Bucks played aggressively and with an energy Phoenix was unable to match.
Sophomore Slump, Sophomore Surge
Second-year forward Marquese Chriss has missed the past five games after suffering a hip flexor injury on Jan. 7 against Oklahoma City.
“Practiced a little bit harder yesterday [Monday],” Triano told Doug & Wolf. “We were glad that the new MRI showed improvement and that he’s getting closer.”
Leading up to the injury, Chriss was averaging 11.4 points in his last eight games, up from the 6.2 he was scoring over the first 34 games of the season. While the injury left the Suns down another player, it opened the door for Dragan Bender.
Bender has taken advantage of his increased minutes, scoring 8.3 points and grabbing 6.3 rebounds per game in the absence of Chriss.
“I think he’s made a pretty good adjustment moving into the starting lineup because I think he had a real comfort level with that second unit,” Triano told Doug & Wolf. “He spreads the floor. I think Dragan is an easy guy to play with.”
