A Royal Pain
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Kings: Division Matchup – Not overlooking the Phoenix Suns

By Brenden Nunes

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns faces off against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns faces off against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings Phoenix Suns (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Three-Point Shooting

A major focus for Sacramento has been Walton mentioning that the Kings want to hit a mark of 35 three-point attempts per game and you mentioned the long ball as a potential strength of this Suns’ roster as well. How do you see Phoenix fairing from long distance?

Sammy: In a league where 3-point shooting is more valuable than ever, the Suns have the capability to be great in this area. Devin Booker last year shot 33% from three last year without a point guard. I believe we will see his field goal percentage go up because of Ricky Rubio’s presence.

Coach Williams said this about the style of play he plans to implement here in Phoenix, “That’s why I said our style of play will be based on who we have. I think it would be irresponsible of me to force a style on the team that doesn’t fit and so as soon as we know what team we’re going to have, (general manager) James Jones and I will sit down and talk about that.” Now that the roster is filled out I can say confidently that the pick-and-roll will be heavily utilized with this roster. 3-point shooting will be very important for a few people on this roster to take us to the next level: Kelly Oubre, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges.

I have belief in Booker, and even the rookie Cameron Johnson, that they will be able to shoot a high percentage from three. Oubre showed both ends of the spectrum last season in twelve games for the Suns. If he can tread somewhere in the middle of that he will give the Suns something they desperately need, a third shooter. Deandre Ayton has been claiming he had been working on his three-point shooting this summer. Ayton has a lot to prove this year, but, if he can shoot a high percentage on minimal shots he will be even more deadly. The last guy is Mikal Bridges. While Mikal proved to be a phenom defensively in his rookie year, his scoring was often limited. People proclaimed him to be a 3-and-D guy coming out of college and he has definitely proven his ability to defend. For him to take the next step, and help the Suns win games, he has got to shoot the three more effectively.

Brenden: It’ll be a shootout then. Last season, Phoenix was dead last in three-point percentage at 32.9% to Sacramento’s 37.8%, good for 4th in the league. I’d bet on Sacramento winning that shooting battle, even if Phoenix does take a jump in that category. Sacramento is just one step ahead of the Suns’ in most categories it seems and is beating them at the style that they want to play most.

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