No matter how good a team is in the NBA. There is always a team or two, maybe even three that give that good team the toughest time. Who are those teams that will be a thorn in the side of the Phoenix Suns?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!New Orleans Pelicans
Dec 11, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (0) during overtime at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
The Suns split their season series with the New Orleans Pelicans last season. Zion Williamson played in three of the four games. In those three games, Williamson averaged 33.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 73.6% from the floor. Phoenix had no answer for the constant pressure he put on their defense.
Kevin Durant was not on the team for these four match-ups. The length he adds to the defense should help to better deal with Williamson’s constant rim attack. Williamson is not the only player that will cause issues for Phoenix.
Brandon Ingram also provides problems for the Suns’ defense with his length and incredibly consistent mid-range jumper. Ingram and Williamson have the space to work due to the outside shooting of Trey Murphy and CJ McCollum. Murphy shot 40% from three point range last season. McCollum shot 39% from three.
The Pelicans provide all types of problems for Phoenix. They have three legit scorers with Williamson, Ingram, and McCollum. They are one of the few teams they may be able to bother Devin Booker and Kevin Durant with their length. Ingram and Herb Jones have the length to make it tough on Phoenix’s best scorers.
This will be a fun regular season series to watch.
Denver Nuggets
May 1, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives at Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) in the first quarter during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The defending champion Denver Nuggets will be a tough match-up for every team. They are especially tough for Phoenix due to the lack of size on the Suns’ roster. The Suns split the regular season series, 2-2, then lost to the Nuggets in the playoffs, 4-2.
In that second round series, Nikola Jokic, averaged 34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game. Jokic averaged a triple double while shooting 59% from the floor and 44% from three. There is no one on the roster who can slow down Jokic in any way. Jokic is too big for Durant, too quick for Ayton, and too skilled for anyone else on the roster to deal with.
Jamal Murray averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game against the Suns in the playoffs. Bradley Beal is not known for his defense but will have the assignment of dealing with Murray. If Beal is not able to navigate the consistent picks that are set for Murray, he will score at a very high rate.
Beal will add more offense that was not there in the playoffs last season but will his offense be affected by his defensive responsibilities. It will be very interesting to see what happens when these teams get on the court.
There are so many tough match-ups in the NBA. Be on the look out for part two of the tough match-up series for the Phoenix Suns.
