Booker s gravity detonates outside firepower, and the Sun s three-point rain becomes the key to victory

The Phoenix Suns currently rank seventh in the Western Conference with a record of 6 wins and 5 losses. Although they experienced a setback of 1 win and 4 losses at the beginning, the team's status has significantly improved recently and is on a positive track. The core driving force behind this upward momentum is the team's wave outside the three-point line. As of the first 11 games of the season, the Suns are averaging 16.5 three-pointers per game, ranking second in the NBA, while maintaining an excellent three-point shooting rate of 38.5%. Their three-point attempts are also considerable, ranking fourth in the league with 42.7 attempts per game. This shows that under the tactical system of head coach Jordan Ott, the Suns have firmly integrated into the trend of modern basketball, using three-pointers as an important weapon on the offensive end.

The Suns' three-point firepower was on full display against the San Antonio Spurs. In that game, they used 33 three-point shots to hit 19 goals with a terrifying efficiency, completely breaking through the opponent's defense and scoring 130 points. What's even more encouraging is that the Suns' high productivity is no accident. It is based on the high-quality shooting opportunities they create. Judging from the current performance, this hot feel is expected to continue.

The outstanding performance of the team's number one star Devin Booker is the cornerstone of all this. He regained full control of the team and performed one of the best performances of his career so far, averaging 28.4 points per game, shooting over 50% from the field, nearly 40% from three-point range, and dishing out 6.8 assists. Booker's determination to find three-point opportunities on the offensive end this season is particularly outstanding. Whether it is through pull-ups after pick-and-rolls or using ball-free screens to catch and shoot, he appears confident. In addition, his ability to handle the ball when double-teamed by opponents has also significantly improved, and he can release the ball faster and more accurately. His number of secondary assists ranks second in the NBA, and his number of potential assists is also among the best, which fully demonstrates that he can not only score by himself, but also effectively drive his teammates. He even began to act more as a screener to create opportunities for his teammates, using his strong offensive gravity to create better shooting space for shooters such as Colin Gillespie, Jaylen Green and Grayson Allen, or to create mismatch advantages for himself. If Booker can continue this performance, he will undoubtedly be a strong contender for the best team of the season.

Head coach Jordan Ott's offensive system provides a clear tactical blueprint for the Suns' three-point rain. This system is simple and direct, and one of its core points is to give role players full shooting confidence and unlimited firing rights. Shooters like Colin Gillespie, Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neal know they have the trust of their coaches to decisively seize every shooting opportunity that arises. They attempt a combined 24 three-pointers per game, and this aggressiveness is based on clear tactical expectations.

One of the team's most effective sources of three-point opportunities is the transition offense. As long as the shooters get an open space in the fast break, whether they are dribbling or receiving a pass from a teammate, they will take action immediately without hesitation. This exemplifies the team's philosophy of running hard for easy scoring opportunities. Another key tactic is to make full use of Devin Booker's offensive gravity. When Booker breaks through or attracts defenses with the ball, opponents often have to defend fiercely or even double-team, which inevitably leaves the shooters on the weak side empty, and Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neal are the biggest beneficiaries of this tactic. In the pick-and-roll offense, the opponent must focus on the cooperation between Booker and Mark Williams, which opens up space for the outside. Williams' ability to pass the ball to three-point shooters after passing the ball has also been demonstrated this season.

In addition, the Suns also frequently use some fixed off-ball tactics. For example, when a pick-and-roll is cleared on one side, the weak side will form a stacked position, and then create excellent three-point opportunities for the corner shooters through precise counter-running or lower screens. The team's offensive fluidity is also commendable. Players will perform a lot of off-ball movement and cross-positioning. For example, corner players will cut to the basket, while wing players will quickly fill the corners to disrupt the defense and create clean three-point shooting opportunities.

What supports this three-point system is the unremitting efforts and continuous movement of the Suns team. Except for a few isolation possessions dominated by Booker, the team's passing and personnel movement was almost non-stop. They actively rush for offensive rebounds, which not only brings second offensive opportunities, but also often converts into open three-pointers. Players are willing to do the "difficult things", such as running from one corner to the other without any effort, rather than waiting in place. They run harder than many of their opponents and move the ball to find the most open teammate. It's this kind of overall effort and selflessness that makes Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neal the most three-pointers combined in the league this season. The tight connection this team displays on the offensive end makes their games fun to watch.

Of course, in a long season, there will inevitably be a period when the three-pointer feels cold. There's no way Grayson Allen can magically hit 10 three-pointers every night like he did against the Spurs. At the same time, the Suns are not without weaknesses. Their defense and offensive stability beyond the three-point line still have room for improvement. But history has shown that an elite three-point team can often mask some of the other flaws in the lineup. Only 11 games in, the Suns are laying the groundwork in the right direction. Their effort, movement and steadfast execution of their coach's tactical system are the cornerstones of building a good and entertaining team. Being able to continuously create a large number of high-quality three-point opportunities is itself a manifestation of the characteristics of a strong team, and now the Phoenix Suns are turning this characteristic into their regular weapon. (Text/Kong Yang)