This week marked eight months since Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia promoted Brian Gregory as the organization\u2019s new general manager. The reaction, nationally and locally, was about what you would expect. Coming off the failed \u201cBig Three\u201d era, Ishbia\u2019s reputation was in free fall, and Gregory was a college lifer with limited NBA experience.<\/p>\n
As the organization shifted, Ishbia discussed assembling a team that played in a way that would make fans proud, which sounded more like something a college coach might say. Gregory preached the importance of alignment. It was easy to wonder whether anyone here knew what the heck they were doing.<\/p>\n
Turns out, they did.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t misunderstand. The Suns still have significant hurdles \u2014 they don\u2019t control their own first-round draft pick for the next seven years \u2014 but they have found something that works in the desert. And that means expectations should change. Simply making the postseason is no longer enough. This team has greater potential.<\/p>\n
Phoenix beat the Sacramento Kings 129-102 on Friday, improving to 20-14 (last season\u2019s team that included Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal didn\u2019t reach 20 wins until Jan. 16). The recent schedule has helped \u2014 Phoenix\u2019s last four wins have come against opponents at the bottom of the standings \u2014 but the Suns also own two wins apiece against the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. They\u2019re not a fluke.<\/p>\n
However, it\u2019s not so much what they have done, it\u2019s how they\u2019ve done it. Explosive guard Jalen Green, a key part of the Durant trade with the Houston Rockets, has missed all but five quarters because of a right hamstring injury (he should be re-evaluated in the next week or two). In addition, guard Grayson Allen, who hit 10 3-pointers for 42 points in a November win against the New Orleans Pelicans, has missed 16 games for several issues, most recently right knee injury management. He\u2019s expected back soon.<\/p>\n
First-time head coach Jordan Ott has compensated with 15 lineups and a touch that has brought out the best in most everyone on the roster. With Durant, the Suns tried to win with star power. In a remarkable twist, the Suns this season are mainly winning with (expanded) role players.<\/p>\n
Before Friday\u2019s win, Ott said Phoenix\u2019s health issues have provided time to see what others can do in different situations, some glamorous, some not. All important.<\/p>\n
Defensive menace Dillon Brooks, whose toughness has fueled Phoenix, is averaging a career-best 21.4 points.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can do more than we even expected,\u201d Ott said.<\/p>\n
Same with Allen, who\u2019s averaging a career-best 16.3.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found that Grayson can do more than we even expected,\u201d Ott said.<\/p>\n
And Jordan Goodwin, a 6-foot-3 energizer who collected 15 rebounds (eight offensive) in Wednesday\u2019s loss at the Cleveland Cavaliers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to know that secret sauce,\u201d Ott said of Goodwin\u2019s rebounding energy.<\/p>\n
When he\u2019s not starting, and some nights even when he is, third-year guard Collin Gillespie, who\u2019s averaging career bests in scoring (14.0), rebounds (4.0) and assists (5.1), anchors a second unit that has become the Suns\u2019 superpower.<\/p>\n
In seven games entering Friday, a lineup of Gillespie, Goodwin, two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea, second-year forward Ryan Dunn and second-year center Oso Ighodaro had a 15 net rating, per NBA Advanced Stats.<\/p>\n
Against Sacramento, Gillespie (15 points) missed a transition 3, but he chased down the rebound and scored. The 6-11 Ighodaro (15 points, six rebounds) penetrated and dunked. Bouyea, signed to a two-way deal a week before Thanksgiving, hit a step-back jumper. The University of San Francisco product had 12 points against Sacramento and was plus-20 in nearly 23 minutes.<\/p>\n
Bouyea Buckets \ud83e\udea3 pic.twitter.com\/GtpOiTW1gs<\/a><\/p>\n