In the final 6 minutes of the game, it became evident that the Phoenix Suns have improved their ability to play a simpler yet effective “screen-and-shoot” style of basketball, thanks to the addition of Richards. While Durant struggled with his shooting in the first half, the closing moments showcased how the team is adapting.
Offense: Progress, but Still Flawed
Richards offers key advantages over Plumlee and Nurkić. His physicality allows him to secure rebounds, hold his ground in the paint, and serve as a legitimate lob and roll threat in pick-and-roll situations. Importantly, he doesn’t overstep his role. However, the Suns lack a truly elite pick-and-roll ball handler. None of the three stars (Durant, Booker, Beal) excel in this area, and while Jones can set up plays, his individual offensive threat is limited.
As a result, Richards can’t frequently be involved in structured pick-and-roll actions. His primary offensive role is finishing plays when defenders collapse on the ball handlers. This means the Suns’ offensive foundation remains reliant on isolation and jump shots. Late in the game, the Suns often turned to Durant initiating plays from the top of the key with teammates spaced out on the baseline. At best, Booker occasionally used cross-screen actions to reposition for better opportunities.
The Suns still struggle to disrupt defensive schemes consistently. Their offense boils down to individual shot-making, and in crunch time, Durant’s ability to hit tough shots kept them afloat.
That said, the team feels more cohesive offensively. Jones effectively advanced the ball and initiated plays, Richards added pressure on opposing bigs with his rolling threat, and the Suns’ spacing allowed their stars to maximize one-on-one matchups. Durant faced minimal help defense in his isolations, and when Detroit’s center aggressively hedged, Durant punished them by feeding Richards for an easy finish.
Ultimately, the Suns’ offense isn’t more complex—it’s simply more direct. The center focuses on finishing lobs and securing offensive boards, the point guard ensures clean ball movement, and everyone else spaces the floor to let the stars shine. They avoid overcomplicated middle pick-and-rolls or off-ball movements that Durant and others don’t particularly thrive in. It minimizes turnovers and reduces mental strain on the stars, trusting their shot-making to carry the day.
Although Richards isn’t a dominant offensive rebounder, the Suns’ shooting prowess compensates for that, keeping them dangerous offensively.
Defense: Improved, But Far from Elite
Richards brings much-needed interior defense, preventing Detroit’s Jalen Duren from dominating the paint. Compared to past games where opposing centers like Mark Williams or Onyeka Okongwu looked unstoppable, Richards held his ground, allowing the Suns to play more conventional defense.
However, the rest of the Suns’ defense remains mediocre. Richards isn’t an elite rim protector or help defender, and the perimeter defenders lack physicality and rotational speed. While the Suns avoided glaring mistakes, Detroit still converted several possessions late in the game. The Pistons didn’t match Durant’s heroics, but they executed well enough to make things close.
Phoenix’s defensive success hinges on limiting catastrophic breakdowns rather than forcing turnovers or disrupting offenses. This approach works against middle-tier teams but raises concerns against contenders who can exploit mismatches or attack Richards in high-level pick-and-rolls.
Key Observations:
- Late-Game Execution: Durant and Booker’s isolation abilities remain the Suns’ go-to strategy. While Durant hit key shots, fatigue nearly became an issue late, and future matchups against elite defenses might expose this over-reliance.
- Lack of Versatility: The Suns are structured around shooting and spacing rather than attacking the rim. This reduces turnovers but makes them predictable.
- Defensive Concerns: Richards plugs some holes, but the team’s perimeter defense and ability to handle advanced offensive schemes remain suspect.
Outlook:
While the Suns scraped by in a close game where their stars found their rhythm, this level of play isn’t enough to guarantee success in a stacked Western Conference. The Pistons, despite their competitiveness, are still a young team. Against contenders like the Lakers or Warriors, Phoenix’s issues with defensive rotations, pick-and-roll coverage, and fatigue in crunch time could become critical.
The Suns’ straightforward style—relying on star shot-making and defensive rebounding—can keep them competitive in the regular season. But in a playoff series, questions about Richards’ ability to hold up defensively, Durant’s stamina, and the team’s limited playmaking will need to be addressed if they truly aim to contend for a championship.
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