There are a ton of storylines and talent on display in this Suns-Nuggets series. So far in this year’s playoffs, Kevin Durant is showing why he’s the most adaptable plug-and-play superstar in the league. Devin Booker is showcasing his talent and why he’s arguably the best shooting guard in the NBA. Nikola Jokić looks virtually unstoppable. Jamal Murray appears to be back to his pre-injury form.
Popcorn, kettle corn, whatever your snack of choice is, be sure to get it ready for this highly anticipated round 2 matchup. NBA fans will have plenty of stardom to watch in this matchup that could’ve potentially been the Western Conference Finals had the playoff bracket gone differently.
Here are three keys to the series for the Suns to implement if they want to advance past the number one-seeded Denver Nuggets.
3 Keys for the Phoenix Suns to Advance Past the Denver Nuggets
1. Make Nikola Jokić a Scorer
Nikola Jokić is a two-time MVP and is in the conversation to win again. The main thing separating Jokić from other centers around the league is his uncanny ability to see the floor and get teammates involved. “The Joker” finished fourth in the league in assists this season, averaging 9.8 per game. While Jokić is undoubtedly a scoring threat, the Suns must pick their poison with the Nuggets’ efficient offense. DeAndre Ayton is athletic and capable of at least making Jokić work for the points that he will inevitably get. The key for the Suns will be Ayton being able to contain Jokić enough to the point where the Suns don’t have to help out often. The Nuggets are most dangerous when Jokić draws double teams and makes the correct read.
While the Suns must turn Jokić into a scorer, it’s also essential that Ayton stays out of foul trouble. Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns were often in foul trouble in Jokić’s last series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The two of them were the only players in the first round of the playoffs to foul out multiple times. Bismack Biyombo has done well filling in when Ayton has needed a breather, but the Nuggets and Jokić pose a more difficult challenge. So the Suns need Ayton to stay on the court if they want a chance in this series.
2. Suns’ Role Players Contribute in the Aggregate
The Phoenix Suns have one of the worst benches in the entire league. They weren’t deep before the trade for superstar Kevin Durant and are even shallower now. The good news for them is that teams in the playoffs heavily rely on superstars playing significantly more minutes. For example, Durant has played 89 minutes in the past two games.
However, teams will bring double teams toward Booker and Durant, forcing the Suns’ fifth guy in their lineup to make plays on offense. Backup guard Cameron Payne returned from his back injury and should be a factor in this series. Whether it’s Payne, Torrey Craig, Josh Okogie, or someone else, the Suns need contributions outside their star players to make a deep run in the playoffs.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be the same player each time, just as long as someone is producing and reliable enough to play as that fifth guy in the lineup at the end of games. Of course, that critical fifth player will also be on head coach Monty Williams to recognize who has the hot hand and what matchups benefit each player.
3. Get Kevin Durant More Involved
Durant is first among players in the playoffs in mid-range field goal attempts plus mid-range field goal percentage. He’s shooting 51.5 percent on 6.6 mid-range shots a game. Meanwhile, Booker and Chris Paul are second and fourth, respectively, among active second-round players. Nikola Jokić is more comfortable playing drop-back defense in pick-and-roll situations rather than stepping up to guard the ball handler. One key for Phoenix will be forcing Jokić into pick-and-roll situations and having him step outside his comfort zone on defense. Durant will be a pivotal factor in this.
Durant ultimately ends up getting his numbers each game. But he still needs to be fully integrated into their offensive system. At times he becomes too stagnant. It’s a fine line because Devin Booker has been rolling so far in the playoffs. However, as the games tighten up each playoff round, Durant is the unguardable superstar who needs to take Phoenix back to the Finals.
Somewhat different situation, but it’s reminiscent of when LeBron James joined Dwayne Wade on the Miami Heat. During LeBron’s first season in Miami, he was a little too passive, often deferring to Wade. After losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals, James and Wade had a conversation. Wade said that LeBron needs to be the number one option.
Similarly, Durant needs to be more assertive as the go-to superstar for Phoenix. Ways he can become more of an offensive factor include:
- More off-ball movement, post-ups, and designed plays
- Pick-and-roll situations (as both the ball handler and the screener)
- Increased shot attempts
Booker has been playing exceptionally, but it needs to be Durant’s team if the Suns want to win it all. And that starts with Durant getting more involved.
