Isaiah Thomas Heating Up for the Suns

The Phoenix Suns, lots of analysts’ sleepers this season, have five point guards. They collect point guards like the Dodgers collect outfielders or like the Yankees have been collecting third-basemen. The three who get the most playing time so far are Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and newly-signed Isaiah Thomas.

Averages through four games this season

Bledsoe and  Dragic are skilled guards who are able to get to the paint with ease and can make plays for teammates. Thomas is a terrific scorer and is benefiting from being on the court at the same time as the other two. As the leading scorer for the Suns, Isaiah is able to find himself open all over the court thanks to of Bledsoe and Dragic’ ability to penetrate to the basket. So far, Thomas is shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range. His ability to score is key to the Suns offensive attack. As a prototypical left-handed guard, Thomas works well with Dragic (also a lefty) and Bledsoe. The Suns offense benefits from having players who can attack the basket from all directions.

The Suns are different than most teams because they have so many small guards. With the size of most shooting guards and small forwards it is usually not effective to play three smaller guards at the same time. The varied skillsets of the Suns’ three guards could allow them to play together at the same time in certain situations. When the Suns do need size they can go to Gerald Green, whose ability to rise for dunks is outstanding; and the twins Marcus and Markieff Morris who can shoot the midrange shot well. If the Suns are in need of a ten-point run they can go small with Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas to speed past the defenders and keep the tempo up.

I can see Isaiah Thomas continue this scoring pace of 18 points per game because of the depth of the Suns backcourt. With Bledsoe and Dragic able to drive past defenders, Thomas is left open to shoot. His ability to make big shots in key moments of the game for the Suns will give them a chance to win in most games that they play. His scoring ability is fueling the Suns and can continue to do so.

Here is a clip of Isaiah Thomas scoring 23 points and dishing out 4 assists against The San Antonio Spurs.