By: Stephen Garner

Coming into this series, there were a few things held against the Phoenix Suns in comparison to the Lakers.

All of which were tied to their collective lack of experience (sans Chris Paul, Jae Crowder, and Torrey Craig of their rotation players), the lack of experience from Monty Williams, and the lack of size in the paint.

Big-time experience was gained through the slugfest of a 6-game series bout they endured vs the defending champs and best player in the world. Monty proved that his chemistry in tandem with CP3 is enough, and Deandre Ayton’s growth has helped shore up a lot of question marks.

This team withstood some of the best shots the Lakers could give in this series, and weathered the storm well. Doing so boxes very well for the competition that stands in front of them as they advance.

Grades

Monty Williams

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1400708500766920711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1400708500766920711%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fperspectivesbystephen.wordpress.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D2822action%3Dedit

In his first series win as a head coach, Monty did a wonderful job finagling his rotation to have the best product of his roster in rotation to meet the demands of the game. Dario Saric saw 11 minutes in game 1, then 15 in game 2, but no more relevant minutes after that as this matchup simply wasn’t for him. Using Torrey Craig sparingly (as well as Kaminsky) at the 5 to spell Ayton was brilliantly done in balance. The inserted uptick of minutes for Payne as CP3 nursed his shoulder injury was great, and even the management of CP3s injury (knowing that Chris would do his all to play) was great.

Grade: B+

Devin Booker

Booker finished his very first playoff series the way he started it, which was clicking… on ALL cylinders. 

He would average 29.7 PPG (49/43/94), 5.0 APG, & 6.2 RPG.

Game 1 he posted 34, 31 in game 2, then 30 in game 5. Then in game 6, the biggest game of his life, with a chance to eliminate the defending champions led by the best player in the league, he’d put up 47 on the road. Not only was it pyrotechnic-like and his best performance to date, but it was historic. His game 6 performance was the 2nd highest scoring effort in a series-clinching scenario, of all-time, to eliminate a defending champion.

He had his struggles in decision making, mostly in his minutes sans Paul, as the Lakers sent heavy trapping schemes in his direction. His response after game 5 was not only the perfect answer and approach, but gave a great idea into his mindset.

Yes. It's true. Devin Booker was asked about offseason double-teams after shredding the LeBron-led Lakers in Game 5 pic.twitter.com/VMszyVkkYg

— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) June 2, 2021

Aside from his bouts with doubles, he was solid everywhere else. He was a presence on the boards, active and viable defensively, and remained true to himself in shot selection.

In the final 2 games, as the magnitude of each game grew with a chance to close out the Lakers, he averaged 38.5 PPG on 62.2/62.5/100 shooting. 

“Be Legendary” was the mantra given to him by the late Kobe Bryant, and this was his first opportunity to do so. 

He seized the moment.

Grade: A-

DeAndre Ayton

The biggest wildcard of the series, and quite possibly tasked with the most daunting collective matchup (vs the Lakers gang of frontcourt bodies), the former #1 pick of the 2018 Draft proved his worth and showed exceptional growth. 

He started the game with 3 straight 20+ points and 10+ rebound performances. He would also compile rebounding performances of 16 in game 1, and 17 in game 4. He averaged 15.8 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and shot 88% at the cup this series (38/43). He was very steady in catching passes from his guards as well, and was both patient and decisive with the ball in traffic. 

Defensively, he was great in the paint as a deterrent off of philosophy. Ayto-anchored lineups only allowed a cumulative 60.8% at the cup, and have the best defense in the playoffs defending the mid-range, specifically amongst the starters. 

He defended well one on one without fouling, which was a great mark of growth as well as he struggled with this early in the season, and will need to replicate moving forward.

Though he didn’t shoot well (56.3%) from the free-throw line, a surprise as he shot 76.9% from there this season. It didn’t hurt them so I didn’t dock him, but he’ll need to clean it up moving forward.

Grade: A+++

Chris Paul

The elder statesman and undoubted leader of this group had a tough encounter with a right shoulder contusion early in game 1. The pain was noticeable and hindered his abilities for the near entirety of game 1. It would linger on through games 2 and 3 but he would resurface as a lot more of himself in game 4 and the rest of the way. 

A lot, as already discussed, is contingent upon his recently impeccable stint with health over the past 2 seasons. Rest between series will do nothing less than help in his recovery. Hopefully his touch from 3 resurfaces, as its been the 1 gleaming hindrance and will be needed moving forward.

Though his impact in scoring was compromised, his playmaking wizardry was not. Though skewed by his minutes in and out the lineup with his shoulder, he averaged 7.7 assists (46 assists: 9 turnovers) and his overall impact on the team was apparent. 

They were a +8.8 with his presence on the floor, and the role players all performed near the level they’re expected to when he was able to remain on the floor.

In all, his Point God abilities were on full display outside of scoring. However, his scoring did surface when needed in crunch time.

Considering what he endured and is still playing through, his impact was certainly still felt.

Grade: B+

Jae Crowder

The Suns were a whopping +15.5 with Crowder on the floor. I spent the entire season foreshadowing, letting it be known that Crowder is a player that u attain for the playoffs specifically, and this is 1 instance displaying why.

Yes, he struggled with his shooting this series but he knows his role and stuck to it. He never really took any ill-advised shots and was so bought into the system that even after consecutive misses, he let the next one fly.

In game 4, he hit more 3s than he’d made the entire series at the time with 3. After that, however, he’d go on to make 3 more in game 5, then 6 in game 6. Games 4-6, he’d average 14.7 PPG and shoot 46% from 3 on 9 attempts a game. This spike coincides with CP3s availability as no one else on the roster can make the passes and set others up the way he can

Jae’s value will continue to be proved as the Suns move on. 

Grade: B-

Cam Payne

In tandem with CP3, Payne was superb in taking care of the ball (20 assists:10 turnovers). Even more, he averaged 12.5 PPG and shot 42.3% from 3. He was an irritant and solid defensively as well, and stepped up big-time while CP3s status, health-wise, was in limbo for stretches.

In all, Payne was the best player off the bench in the series and was a top 6 player in the series. He was a +8.3, and in many instances he changed the entire complexion of the game with his energy and change of pace. That will be heavily relied upon as the Suns go on, and he’s playing himself into a great chance to make more money this off-season.

There’s a moment at the end of game 5 where Payne exited the court for the bench and was either dejected or just fatigued. His stint of minutes came in response to the second time Paul tweaked his shoulder. Paul would get his attention then point to the scoreboard, making note of the differential in the game at the time and let him know that “you did that, that’s all you” as he pounded Paynes chest in appreciation.

Chris Paul to Cam Payne:

"Look up there, you did this!"

What a moment! pic.twitter.com/zQgc8shqjG

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) June 4, 2021

He’s on what I call the “Money Coming Soon Team” as a looming free agent, and is a key cog in their ascension.

Grade: A

Mikal Bridges

Bridges, a lot like Crowder, had ups and downs that fluctuated offensively based on Paul’s presence. 

On the series, he averaged 9 PPG on 38.2% from 3. However, in the final 3 games where Paul sustained some consistency in minutes, Bridges would average 11. 

His mark on the defensive end was felt as he spent time on the Lakers wings and his active and relentless energy was ever-present.

There are dimensions of his game that weren’t tapped into because of matchups, but he will be better moving forward.

Grade: B-

Torrey Craig

Salute to Torrey Craig who, once Saric was removed from the rotation, spent time at the 5.

Clearly, that’s not ideal, but it was effective in spelling Ayron for minutes. 

Craig’s Swiss Army Knife versatility will be relied upon heavily, as it was in the last series. His impact isn’t seen clearly via numbers, but lineups featuring him were near best in the playoffs in eFG% allowed (43.6%).

Grade: C+

Cam Johnson

Johnson had a rough showing in this series, as he was tasked with guarding LeBron at times while Bridges and Crowder rested. He was also guarded by LeBron offensively, which minimized the clean looks he’d get from deep. He would hit at 40.7% from 3 on nearly 4 attempts a game, but is still finding his way on the highest level of play, being the playoffs. 

Expect for him to have a few solid games surface as their rotations change for this series with Denver.

Grade: C+

In all, the Suns were solid across the board and earned this series win amidst all the adversity. First series win in over a decade. The next task will prove to be a unique challenge in itself.

Team Grade: A

*All stats and information used come directly from basketball-reference or cleaning the glass unless stated otherwise*