Phoenix Suns' Starting Lineup Ranked Fifth Best in NBA
In a Bleacher Report article ranking the NBA’s best starting lineups, the Phoenix Suns were listed as the fifth best.
The article dives into Phoenix’s firepower on offense which includes Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul. In a high scoring game, the Suns should be lethal because of these four players that can all take over if needed.
One thing these four guys also have in common is that they are all elite shooters from mid-range. The NBA is trending more in a direction where the three pointer is critical but Phoenix’s mid-range heavy starting lineup could change the way the rest of the league thinks.
Before Durant arrived, the Suns starting lineup had a simple formula. They used Ayton in the pick and roll which opened up the floor for so many possibilities. With Durant, Phoenix will probably use this tactic even more. The Suns could run this with Booker, Durant and Paul taking up the ball which will surely throw opposing teams off.
The fifth starter listed is Torrey Craig and while he is not particularly a threat on the offensive end, he has the ability to defend any guard or wing player in the NBA. In a starting lineup that is filled with scorers, it helps to have at least one defensive specialist.
If the Suns want to plug in another offensive minded player into the starting rotation, they can put in TJ Warren who is the perfect wing three point shooter that can space the floor and is a very competent defender.
The only four team’s starting lineups ranked above Phoenix are the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors. The Suns have the potential to rise above all of those teams.
When Durant returns to the lineup, all eyes will be on the Suns to see if their starting rotation is worth all the hype. It certainly has all the star power in the world but we will see if they can mesh together as a cohesive unit.
Following the Suns were the Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers to round out the top ten.
