Phoenix Suns 2019-20 rewind: Superlatives

Valley Tales begins its look back at the strange, surprising season that was.

We have already begun looking ahead to the Suns’ offseason, examining these pressing storylines along with prospects Phoenix could select with the 10th pick in the NBA draft, and answering your questions in subscriber-only mailbag. 

But let’s also look back on the strange, surprising season that was. We’ll start with some superlatives, including a comparison to a midseason report with the same categories I wrote while at The Athletic. 

Next week, we will begin player-by-player breakdowns.

MVP: Devin Booker
Midseason pick: Booker

This is still a no-brainer. 

At midseason, Booker had not yet earned his first All-Star selection. Even as a late injury replacement, his inclusion at the main event in Chicago was a massive career milestone. 

Months later, Booker was the best player during restart seeding play outside of Damian Lillard, bringing newfound respect to the Suns and himself. His game-winner against the Clippers, and the image of him calmly on his back as teammates swarmed, will forever be part of his personal highlight reel. 

Booker’s quick-hit stats — 26.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game — are nearly identical to last season. But Booker’s efficiency — 48.9 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from 3-point distance and 91.9 percent from the free-throw line — saw a significant bump with an improved supporting cast and in coach Monty Williams’ “0.5” offense. He also exerted more effort on defense, taking pride in guarding his position. 

Had All-NBA voting happened after seeding play, Booker would have had a great shot at earning a spot.

Biggest surprise: The bubble run
Midseason pick: The hot start

It was understandable that the Suns viewed being included in the Orlando restart as a tremendous opportunity to further develop a young roster on and off the court. But becoming the feel-good national story of the first two weeks of bubble play was stunning, and ignited a starving fan base for the first time in years. 

Phoenix ripped through all eight opponents it faced in Orlando. But more important was what the Suns discovered within those games. 

Rookie Cam Johnson brought floor-spacing to the power forward spot, and continued to show growth as a driver and defender. Dario Saric became an outstanding sixth man. Mikal Bridges continued to blossom as a young two-way standout. And Cam Payne (Cam Payne!) may have revitalized his NBA career by seizing the backup point guard spot after joining the team for the restart. 

Deandre Ayton’s defensive improvement also deserves a nod here. His blocks average rose from 0.9 per game as a rookie to 1.5 per game over 38 games in 2019-20. And he was clearly more aware, and in better position, while protecting the paint. 

Biggest disappointment: Lack of roster continuity
Midseason pick: Deandre Ayton’s suspension

These obviously tie together. During his post-draft lottery media availability, general manager James Jones said he felt like the Suns played three mini seasons: The 25 games without Ayton, the period from his return until the mid-March shutdown and the bubble games. 

But minor-to-moderate injuries also disrupted continuity. Even during the dazzling bubble run, the Suns were without second-leading scorer Kelly Oubre Jr. and reserve center Aron Baynes. 

In fact, Williams had his whole roster available for exactly one game all season. For a franchise that overhauled most of its roster for the 2019-20 season, the Suns never completely got to see what they had. 

Most underrated: Dario Saric’s season
Midseason pick: Mikal Bridges’ defense

This category needed a new representative because Bridges’ perimeter defense is no longer underrated to anybody paying attention. 

“Underrated” might not be the best way to describe Saric’s first season in Phoenix. It took until the bubble for Williams to discover an ideal role that fit Saric individually and fit the team. And that likely never would have happened if Saric had not suffered a sprained ankle in an exhibition game, which pushed Johnson into the starting lineup. 

Saric averaged 14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 57.4 percent from the field and 52.4 percent from 3-point range over those eight games. He was a go-to scoring option with the second unit, an inside-outside offensive threat and a willing fighter for rebounds and buckets down low while playing some backup center. 

Yet even when Saric’s scoring and rebounding production was less consistent pre-shutdown, Williams and teammates often praised Saric as a passing “connector” within the fast-paced offensive system. 

Hence, underrated.

Before the restart, many Suns supporters likely would have been fine with another team handing Saric a hefty pay raise as a restricted free agent. Now, it makes a whole lot of sense for the Suns to bring Saric back. In Orlando, Saric showed why the Suns made the draft-night trade that landed Saric and the pick that became Johnson.  

Best win: Aug. 4 vs. Clippers
Midseason pick: Oct. 26 vs. Clippers

Shall I just leave this here for y’all to watch on repeat? 

Ballislife.com @Ballislife

Devin Booker's game-winner vs the Clippers! 35 PTS | 8 AST | 6 3PT

Other memorable games are highlighted in this piece. 

Worst loss: Feb. 28 vs. Detroit, Feb. 29 vs. Golden State
Midseason pick: Jan. 7 vs. Sacramento

These back-to-back losses to two of the NBA’s worst teams must be grouped together. It was a disastrous weekend. 

As the afterglow of the bubble magic wears off in the coming weeks and months, it’s likely that Suns players and coaches will look back on that weekend and wince, then wonder, “What If?”. Had the Suns won one of those games (or any of the other head-scratching defeats to inferior opponents), they would have made the play-on tournament.

Number to know: plus-20.2 and plus-16.5
Midseason pick: 110.7 (team defensive rating)

The first figure is the net rating with Oubre and Bridges as the starting forwards (with Booker, Ayton and Ricky Rubio) in 226 minutes. The second figure is the net rating with Bridges and Johnson as the starting forwards in 114 minutes. 

These two numbers are a reason why there is a ton of intrigue surrounding Oubre’s future in Phoenix, given his contract situation and status as a promising talent that other teams could covet on the trade market. 

By the way: The Suns ended the season with a defensive rating of 110.8 points per 100 possessions. That ranked 17th in the league. 

Williams believes that, with a top-10 offense, the Suns need to finish in the middle third of the NBA in defensive rating to consistently compete. Phoenix’s offensive rating (111.3 points per 100 possessions) ranked 12th in the league.