The Phoenix Suns, just two years ago, were on the cusp of an NBA championship. Now, they fight through a multitude of on-and-off the court issues.
Between roster issues with players like Jae Crowder and a newly announced owner in Matt Ishbia, the Suns have a lot going on right now. The worst of all their problems, though, happens to be injuries.
This season, the injury bug has gotten to the Suns and they are looking into new areas to help fight without their main guys.
The Suns started the season well and were sitting atop their conference with a 19-12 record. Then star-guard Devin Booker suffered a groin injury, and a few other Suns players went down as well. Since then they have gone 5-12 and at one point, had a harsh stretch of 1-9.
On the positive side, the Western Conference has been a complete toss-up and the Suns, after falling to as low as 12 in the west, have regained decent positioning at seventh in the west.
The Twins
First, we should make it clear that these guys don't look alike. It is rather their position and play style that is comparable, and the nickname stems from Deandre Ayton.
The twins, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, are two of the main players the Suns are hoping will step up. Bridges has become the "iron man" of the league and has been steadily improving his game for the Suns. Johnson also has seen much improvement but is just recently returning from injury.
Head coach Monty Williams has been forced to make ends meet when it comes to the depth of the team. Coach Williams has faith in his two guys to come up big down the stretch of these next few games.
"Because we have so many guys out they have to make plays," coach Williams said. "I'm hopeful that they're both gonna have a chance to grow, Mikal certainly has because of the time, and now Cam Johnson now that he is playing again."
Bridges has already started to step up in the absence of CP3 and Booker. In the process, he is averaging some of his highest numbers in assists and scoring.
On the season, Bridges so far is averaging 16.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.5 APG while shooting just under 46% from the field. However, during the last seven games he has elevated his game averaging 21.7 PPG and 5.6 APG, shooting at 47.9%.
Johnson has a lot of eyes on him as well, as he had a big first game back scoring 19 points and gathering six rebounds in a win against the Brooklyn Nets.
His second game was not as impactful, but he has of course been away since November and coach Williams even admitted to maybe overplaying him a bit in his second game back from injury.
Johnson on the season is averaging 13.1 PPG, 3.9 RBG, 1.7 APG and he is shooting just over 43% from the field.
Improvise and Impact
Many improvisations have been made to the starting line-ups and who would be filling in the depth chart this season by coach Williams. When asked about what it's like behind the scenes, he says there is never a time when he feels a "sense of calmness".
It is rather a focus on who is going out there on any given night, and zoning in on them and what they need to do on that night. The thing is, the players in those line-ups this year have been constantly changing.
Luckily, they have had players who are willing and ready to fill in these roles for them. Players like Torrey Craig, Damion Lee, Bismack Biyombo, and Dario Saric have all had big impacts, whether it be on defense or offense.
Damion Lee is leading the league in three-point percentage this year at an impressive 45.9%.
Torrey Craig has been helping on both ends of the floor and anywhere else that he has been needed, on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies Craig finished with a season-high 20 points.
Dario Saric has been a great player on both ends as well as he is capable of making some clutch baskets along with some swift steals.
Finally, Biyombo just reached a huge career achievement, 1,000 blocks. He has been an absolute monster in the paint for the Suns' defense.
What's Next?
The Phoenix Suns face off against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, Jan 28th, at 8 p.m. ET.
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