On paper, maybe the Phoenix Suns do have one of the more challenging starts to the season given their first five opponents. While that could be the case, most of those teams are in a superior state due to the stars they respectively boast.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The NBA schedule isn’t set up for convenience, and there’s no mystery to the Suns’ opening portion of the schedule. Much of what we’ll see initially is the long-awaited duels between stars and evaluate where they stand now versus last season.
We’ve had the pleasure of catching glimpses of some stars this summer, but others will definitely be a shocking factor given their mystique persona.
As such is the case, let’s take a look at some of the better rival battles to come during the first four games.
Luka Doncic: Dallas Mavericks (Oct. 19)
So, not much of a buildup to a yesteryear downfall coming for Phoenix. The NBA didn’t leave much to anticipation of the tension that could be building between the Mavs and the Suns. This isn’t the Christmas showdown that can be often imposed on rival teams at times.
Doncic will be in run-it-back mode, even without the services of Jalen Brunson. Doncic did damage to the Suns during the Western Conference Semifinals. That damage, even months later, still leaves the sting of a Game 7 Finals loss rather than only a Semifinals. The 23-year old point-forward was a force, averaging 32.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and seven assists per game.
Doncic wasn’t always the best leader in the plus-minus category, but the Dallas star boasted a plus-37 during the Mavs Game 7 blowout.
Damian Lillard: Portland Trail Blazers (Oct. 21)
Lillard doesn’t have too much of a history with Phoenix, and that probably won’t change this season. Still, containing Lillard won’t be an easy night out for Chris Paul or Devin Booker, even if it’s a day in between games. Lillard only played 29 games last season due to an abdominal injury that required surgery.
But if it’s his 2020-21 campaign that’s under the scope, the sample size is a lot better. Lillard averaged 31.7 points per game through three contests against Phoenix during the 2020-21 season. He also shot an incredible 39 percent from deep during that time, suggesting that both Paul and Booker may have their hands full.
Lillard is a maestro at using every screen to his advantage. The high three-point clip shows his ability to make defenders pay if they decide to go over a pick rather than come under. The overall battle between the Blazers and Suns may not give the lightworks that Dallas can, but expect Lillard to put on a performance to mark the start of the season.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George: Los Angeles Clippers (Oct. 23)
This can go one of two ways — or perhaps both — : Leonard, George, or a combination of both stars could give the Suns a very difficult time. The complex facet of the LA duo is that the wave of offensive attacks could come in layers rather than one bombardment. The duties of handling the two stars will largely fall on Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder, less he be surpassed by Cameron Johnson in the starting lineup.
Even if Johnson is the answer, head coach Monty Williams may want to side with deploying Crowder more against Leonard and George. There’s no numbers to point towards last season, given that both LA stars missed significant times due to injuries.
Regardless, it’s no secret as to what both Clippers forwards can do when healthy. Phoenix will have to switch from a one-man operation on Lillard to chasing both Leonard and George around on hand-offs and back-door screens all night.
Stephen Curry: Golden State Warriors (Oct. 25)
For all we know, Curry’s new “Petty King” mantra could hold weight on Phoenix. Curry was let down by Phoenix in its absence of the Western Conference Finals.
In all seriousness, it’s impractical to guard Curry on any given night. A simple screen can allow the former MVP to maneuver at will against defenses. Even at 34, Curry is able to shift at the drop of a dime and leave defenders in a tizzy.
Though only appearing in two games against Phoenix, Curry averaged 24 points per game. He lived up to his three-point king title in one of those games as well, knocking down five threes . Curry will be eager to prove to the league that he’s still got more left in the tank for another championship run. Knocking down another conference rival could show it.
