Before the start of the NBA Playoffs, we hand out grades to the Phoenix Suns' big 3 in midst of their hot and cold regular season.
The Phoenix Suns came into the 2023-24 NBA season with huge expectations as they were projected to be one of the top teams in the league. Even though the team is right in the thick of the playoff race, many thought they would be the most dominant team considering the amount of offensive firepower they have.
Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal have all contributed to the team's success and are currently in the 7th spot in the Western Conference. But how has the Big 3 for the Suns performed individually? Reflecting on the season, here are grades based on the performances of Booker, Durant, and Beal.
Grading Devin Booker performance
Devin Booker has been the most consistent out of the Big 3 with his performance. His style of play can be described as smooth but dangerous and is capable of scoring in bunches on any given night. Just ask the New Orleans Pelicans who he dropped 52 points against. Booker also scored a season-high 62 points against the Indiana Pacers and always comes through when the team needs an important victory.
Booker's game is just simply entertaining to watch. He doesn't demand the ball and won't force anything if the Suns are down. His passing has also improved and he has displayed composure and patience during critical junctures of a game. He can make the fadeaway jump shot over defenders and make it look effortlessly along with his deadly midrange shot which he has used to his advantage quite a bit.
Booker is equipped with a timeless skill set and he is probably one of the few players who could have been successful in any era. He knows how to score in this new era of the NBA due to the variety of ways he can score which is the result of being fundamentally sound.
At one point in his career, Booker struggled with turnovers, had difficulty facing double teams, and was not a very good defender. Over time he improved how he reacts whenever he's double-teamed and that could be credited to his time learning from Chris Paul and it was evident that Booker's confidence took a leap after Paul arrived in Phoenix.
Even though he is better suited to play shooting guard, Booker can definitely run the point and he has played the position consistently throughout his career. He currently ranks 11th in assists per game and Jalen Brunson, Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Maxey are all trailing Booker in that category which proves his ability as an able facilitator.
Booker can create for himself and can find spots anywhere on the floor from any angle especially when he heats up. Opponents pretty much have to pick their poison when it comes to Booker. Defend him too hard and double-team him, he will just find his teammates and accumulate high assist totals. Don't guard him close enough and he'll score at will.
Booker's Performance Grade: A+
Grading Bradley Beal
Just the thought of having three elite scorers in a starting lineup is enticing and the Suns added what they think is the missing piece in Bradley Beal. He struggled with injuries earlier in the season and only played in six of the Suns' first 30 games.
The plan was to allow Beal, Booker, and Durant to develop chemistry and for head coach Frank Vogel to experiment with different lineups and rotations and figure out what works to their advantage. Beal has a plus/minus of +71 on the season and has been efficient when healthy.
Beal knows his role within the offense, and even though he knows he would have to sacrifice and take fewer shots, he realizes that he has a special opportunity with the Suns. Beal also knows that whatever he gives the Suns is a plus in terms of scoring.
If all three of the Suns' stars get hot offensively, it will become difficult to stop the onslaught of points. The amount of space they provide for each other when all 3 are on the floor is plenty because of the enormous gamble teams may take attempting to double-team either player. Beal has developed his game so much from just having a reputation as a shooter. He's a shifty player with good footwork, a good passer with sneaky good hops, and can handle the ball like a point guard.
The Suns could use Beal in a variety of ways. He could give Booker a break from being the facilitator and allowing him to play off the ball. That strategy gives the Suns a schematical advantage because Booker and Beal are interchangeable and they can excel at more than one role. Even when Booker needs to rest and goes to the bench, Beal can still be the primary scorer or primary ball handler, just depending on the in-game situation. Beal can still score in bunches if he wants to and the only reason his averages have dropped is because he is taking fewer attempts.
Beal's Performance Grade: C
They say that the best ability is availability and who is to say that the Suns wouldn't be in a better position in the standings if Beal hadn't missed so many games at the beginning of the season? Beal will need to be more assertive and take more pressure off of Booker and Durant.
Grading Kevin Durant
When Kevin Durant was acquired by the Phoenix Suns, NBA titles became the topic in Phoenix as they knew they had a rare opportunity to accomplish something special. Durant, now 35 years old, knows he doesn't have any time to waste as he has entered the twilight of his career and would love to win at least one more ring before he retires. It will be difficult chasing that elusive title due to all the good teams in the West but Durant definitely gives the Suns an edge against any opponent.
At 6-foot-11 with athleticism and the handles of a guard, he can literally create shots whenever he wants. He isn't the fastest player and he won't overwhelm with quickness or speed but his moves are so smooth and finesse that he can get to the rim or pull up going in either direction, finish through contact, and can shoot it from any spot on the floor.
Whenever the Suns play through Durant and he's aggressive, they are tough to beat. At times when he becomes passive, the Suns don't play well. Whenever Durant possesses the ball, opponents usually already know what's coming. It's either an attempt to get him a one-on-one at midrange or he's setting himself up from behind the arc. A lot of Durant's assists will come naturally as opposed to him improvising and driving and dishing.
Durant has scored at least 40 points 5 times this season and he plays at the same level of consistency game after game. Even though the Suns are not in the position many expected them to be in the standings, credit has to be given to Durant for at least keeping the team afloat. He has only missed a total of seven games and hopefully, he can remain healthy.
Durant's Performance Grade: A-
Durant's presence on the floor alone is enough to concern opponents due to his ability to take over a game. He has meshed well with Booker and Beal and hopefully, his stellar play continues in the postseason.