The Phoenix Suns are off to a great start this year, starting 9-2 in their first 11 games. For Phoenix to start off this great, is a huge turnaround from last season. Last year, at this point, they were 5-6, one game under .500, which was shocking to most. By bringing in new coach Mike Budenholzer, it has made the game easier for the Suns to run their style of basketball. We also have seen Budenholzer unlock certain players this season, specifically bringing the best out of rookie standout Ryan Dunn.
One thing that remains true about this Suns team is the injury bug is still in Phoenix. Last year, we saw multiple players deal with excessive injuries, mainly Bradley Beal, as he was dealing with multiple injuries throughout the year. Jusuf Nurkic had some time out, too, but Beal’s absence was more impactful for the Suns. Fast forward to this year, and we have Kevin Durant dealing with calf soreness, and Nurkic is still dealing with little injuries. The Suns will now have to adapt on the fly, but Budenholzer has proven he can do so.
This season, we have seen the team come together and work through these issues. When evaluating this team, there are some holes, though. From looking at every position group, the center position is the weakest. This is an issue as the Suns are banking on their center group to blossom this year. In a recent 120-112 win over the Utah Jazz, they utilized Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro as Nurkic was out with an ankle injury, both of these players showcased how they could fit into this rotation and gave them a reason to have an expanded role. Let’s dive into Mason and Oso’s play and what this means for the team’s future.
Suns Centers Impress in Expanded Role
Mason Plumlee
When the Suns went out and got Plumlee, I thought he was a perfect fit. Last season with Drew Eubanks, Phoenix lacked an interior presence in the frontcourt. They need a big body who can go at other teams’ backup centers and hold his own. Mason, also being an 11-year veteran, has some experience in this role. Previously, he was the backup for the Clippers and was a solid backup there. For the Suns, as long as he can dominate the glass and hold his own, he would be okay. In last night’s start, he proved he can do the things Suns fans need him to do.
Shoutout to Mason Plumlee in this 9-2 start to the season for the Suns.
With Nurk going down, he’s averaged 10.5 PTS on 72.7% FG, with 12.5 REB and 4 AST. All of this in addition to his consistent production off the bench.
Exactly what they need out of their C. pic.twitter.com/jRvlFFCUSI
— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) November 13, 2024
Now, could he see himself getting more time? If Nurkic is out for an extended period of time or if he falls out of the system (as we have seen him benched), Mason could get the starting job. Can Mason be a starting center for the remaining 71 games, though? I can not fully say yes to that.
Oso Ighodaro
With Oso, it is a bit of a different situation. Even though Oso has shown Suns fans he can be something special, he is still very young. The rookie would have to take a large workload, becoming a starting center this young. He still has some size issues, but he can develop to play the five in the NBA and become a solid one as well. However, Ighodaro could already be a solid backup big man right now. We have seen Dunn, a fellow rookie, emerge on this team and make a quality impact.
Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro accounted for 60% of the Suns rebounds against the Jazz.
— Espo (@Espo) November 13, 2024
Suppose Coach Bud was to give Oso more time, we could see the same development come through. Ighodaro has some minor things to work on, but securing 12 boards and two blocks is key to showing what he can become. Plumlee and Ighodaro also combined for 60% of the team’s rebounds. This highlights both the Suns’ rebounding issue and the impressive impact of this big-man duo. If Ighodaro is allowed to share those minutes alongside Plumlee at the backup spot, he can secure himself a legit rotation spot in no time.
