Ever since Kevin Durant made his way to the lineup after rehabbing from two different injuries, Torrey Craig’s role has diminished back to the bench to serve as a rotational player for the team.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!All season long, Craig has been in and out of the starting lineup due to injuries back when Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges were on the team to now with Durant being on the team and it’s been a roller coaster of a season for him throughout.
It’s been a career year for Craig as he has a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists as well as a career-high in three-point percentage as he is shooting 39% from the floor.
One of the things that Craig does super well is that he is always moving without the ball on offense. Whether that’s cutting through the lane, backdoor, or crashing the boards to go up to get a rebound, the effort that he shows on the offensive end cannot be ignored.
In last night’s blow-out win against the San Antonio Spurs, Craig scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench but his most impressive plays of the night came on the defensive end and grabbing boards to spark energy from the floor.
Head coach Monty Williams and star player Devin Booker discussed Craig’s ability to be effective on both sides of the ball as well as adjust to a new role that he has had to embrace with all the different changes that have happened this season.
Adjusting to a new role and thriving in it.
🗣️ Coach Monty Williams and DBook speak on Torrey Craig's ability to adjust to a new role and be effective on both sides of the ball.
🎙️ Last night's media availability: https://t.co/UOHxAZ5G2A pic.twitter.com/J971dsvkc7
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 5, 2023
Even with Craig’s role changing back and forth this season, he has been the same guy for the Suns and it has helped pay dividends for the team thus far. Craig talked postgame as well and described the play and energy that he brings to the floor.
“It’s all just a part of being a pro,” said Craig. “I’m blessed enough to be in this league, to be on a team like this so I’ll take any role I can get I’m not into all of that. I don’t look at it that way I just look at it’s me coming to work every day and doing the job.”
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It hasn’t been said a lot but Craig has been a key X factor for the Suns for some time. His competitive spirit is one of the driving forces for why the Suns are who they are. This energy is going to be much needed come postseason time and heading into the playoffs.
