PHOEN I X S U N S S COU T R E PO RT

09.08.2021

Offense Defense
Devin Booker - PnR Handlers 2 PnR Defense: Over 15
Chris Paul - PnR Handlers 5 PnR Defense: Switch 16
Devin Booker - Isolations 7 PnR Defense: Ice 16
Deandre Ayton - PnR Rollers 8 PnR Defense: Under 17
Chris Paul - Isolations 10 PnR Defense: Hedge 17
Jae Crowder - Catch and shoot 12 Defense against Catch and shoot 18
Devin Booker - Hand offs 13 Defense against Isolations 18
Cameron Payne - PnR Handlers 13 Defense against Post Ups 19
Mikal Bridges - Catch and shoot 14 Defense against Drives 20
Devin Booker - PnR Handlers
Phoenix Suns is a PnR oriented team (22% of all attacks comes
to PnR) and the biggest threat in this type of game is Devin
Booker (#1). Having Devin Booker as offense initiator, Phoenix
3 F
prefers to run a drag screen on the wing area (mostly with #22
Deandre Ayton) with an empty near corner. Devin Booker loves
to drive to the middle to have more attacking options (66.7% of 1
his shots are pull-up ones, mostly from the nail area). Other 3
players on the opposite side spread out (all positions are
5 G
4
interchangeable) to give Devin Booker the space to take his 2
favourite mid-range pull up from the nail.
Video PF

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Also, if big’s defender isn’t good at covering Drag PnR (having

bad backpedaling etc.) Devin Booker can turn the corner all the 4 PF
way to the basket taking a runner layup. Only 27.8% come to
lay-up or floater types of finishing. But still he is struggling to
finish the layup. 3
Video
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Phoenix Suns scout report 2

Devin Booker - PnR Handlers
In case, if the opposing team is icing Devin Booker away from the
screen he likes to reject the one going all the way in to create for 1 G
his own shot or layup. He doesn’t like to share the ball coming
off the screen.
Video 3
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PF

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Playing middle PnR toward 2 players (having 1 player behind the

screen), Devin Booker prefers to put his defender on the back F 3 1 G
coming off the screen, mostly going to the right, to read the
defense and to take a mid-range pull-up afterward.
Video

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5 PF

Phoenix Suns scout report 3

Devin Booker - PnR Handlers
Since Devin Booker is mostly prone to go to the right, teams are
icing him on the middle PnR to force him to go left to attack the PF 4 G
overloaded side (with 2 defensive players ahead). In this case he 1
wraps around the screen making a «snake» move to create enough
space for his mid-range pull-up.
Video
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F 22
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Playing middle PnR where 2 offensive players are behind the screen,
Devin Booker creates space by getting to the mid-range area with G 1 4
PF
the 2 or 1 dribbles, to take his favorite pull-up J’s. If he’s unable to
create space right away, he puts a defender on his back, to create the
one by making a side step or step back.
Video
F 3 5
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Phoenix Suns scout report 4

Chris Paul - PnR Handlers
Chris Paul (#3) is a high tempo player who likes to bring the ball
upcourt as fast as possible to attack the unorganized defense by F 3 2 G
using the high middle drag screen set by Deandre Ayton (#22).
38.6% of all the Suns PnRs is played by Chris Paul. Only 13.8% of
Chris Paul’s PnR game come down to finishing by using lay up,
floater or reverse. Since Chris Paul isn’t an efficient finisher at the
basket, coming off the drag he prefers to take pull-up jump shots. 4 22
Video PF 5

Phoenix also likes to run a double drag action for Chris Paul when
they have 2 bigs trailing behind (for instance #99 Jae Crowder and F G
3 2
Deandre Ayton). Coming off this kind of action, Chris Paul prefers to
take mid-range pull-up (78.4% off all the PnR shots taken by Chris
Paul are pull-up ones). He is taking a long step to his favorite spot
from around the nail area, or if Chris Paul’s defender goes under
the screen he takes a step back for a 3 point shot.
Video
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Phoenix Suns scout report 5

Chris Paul - PnR Handlers
In the set offense Phoenix wants to get Chris Paul to the nail, by
using RAM 45 action followed by a middle PnR with Jae Crowder F 2 G
and a side PnR with Deandre Ayton afterward (preferably from the 3
right wing). After using the last screen from Deandre Ayton, Chris
Paul is able to bring the ball to the nail for mid range pull-up.
Video 5

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Transitioning from defense to offense Chris Paul also runs drag

PnR from the wing toward the middle (preferably from the left 3 F
wing to attack going to the right). Since Suns roster is filled with
shooters, defenders can’t stunt too hard from the wing, giving
away mid-range pull-up to Chris Paul. He is a high-quality passer, 2
who can hit open teammates with ease giving 8.6 average assists 5
per game. In case if the big is dropping down too low, Chris Paul G
can get inside the paint for a floater. 4
Video 1
PF
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Phoenix Suns scout report 6

Devin Booker - Isolations
Phoenix wants to bring a weak defender on Devin Booker (#1) by
running simple PnR against switching defense where 5 switches G 22 2 4 PF
on him, or gain an advantage of small/small switching. 44.4% of all 1
the Suns isolations are played by Devin Booker. In any of these
actions Devin Booker occupies one of the wings to initiate the
isolation. Other teammates are supposed to occupy both corners,
opposite wing, and opposite short corner or dunker spot (occupied 3
mostly by #22 Deandre Ayton) to contain the right spacing. Devin
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5
Booker prefers to attack to the left using dribble moves to get to
the nail for a mid-range pull-up. 65% of all isolations played by
Devin Booker come down to a mid range pull-up jump shoot from 1
the nail area, and only 25% to lay up or floater.
Video

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Playing isolation against weak target player or the big from the
left wing, Devin Booker also tends to go to the left to create space
for his mid-range or long range shot using hesi moves (all players
are interchangable, except Deandre Ayton who has to occupy the
dunker spot). 4
2
Video

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Phoenix Suns scout report 7

Deandre Ayton - PnR Rollers
Deandre Ayton (#22) is a highly athletic player who can play
above the rim taking off from 1 or 2 feet easily. 27.8% of all rolls F 3 4 PF
down are finished with alley oop. If he isn’t bumped early while
rolling down, or Deandre Ayton’ s defender occupied by ball
handler, lob pass is the best option to apply.
Video 5
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Deandre Ayton also can receive the ball early on the roll, to
handle the situation on the ground. 45.6% of all his offensive
actions come down to PnR roller type of play. But he is struggling G 1
at finishing facing contact provided by rotating defender or by
the big who recovers position.
Video 4
PF 22 5

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Phoenix Suns scout report 8

Deandre Ayton - PnR Rollers
Running middle PnR with Chris Paul (#3), where the last one
turns the corner aggressively, occupying the big defender down F 3 4 PF
low, Deandre Ayton makes a cut to the basket, where he is able
to receive the ball in the paint for an open floater (has a soft
5
touch on this kind of shot type). 1.33 PPP using this type of a
shot.
2
Video
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Phoenix Suns scout report 9

Chris Paul - Isolations
Chris Paul (#3) plays 38.9% of all the Suns isolations. He prefers
to run isolation by beating his defender in early offense to attack
the unorganized defense early (preferably to the left side).
Getting inside the paint Chris Paul likes to take a pull-up jump
shot.
Video
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If the big or a weak defender switched on Chris Paul he prefers to

beat him from the top of the key, having big (mostly #22 Deandre 22 1 PF
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Ayton) occupying one of the dunker spots, and the same side
teammate occupies the free throw line extended. 2 other
teammates fill the opposite corner and wing to contain proper 3
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spacing. Playing 1-on-1 Chris Paul likes to take a mid-range pull-
up rather than going inside. 68.6% of all isolations are finished by
using a mid range jump shot from around the nail area having 2
1.25 PPP. Only 25.6% of iso possessions are finished by taking a
lay up, a floater or a hook.
Video
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Phoenix Suns scout report 10

Chris Paul - Isolations
Running isolation from the wing area having Chris Paul as a ball
handler, the big (mostly Deandre Ayton) occupies the opposite F 22 1 4
PF
dunker or short corner. Other teammates are supposed to fill both 3
corners and opposite wing (all 3 outside players are
interchangable). Chris Paul wants to get to the nail by using
dribble moves to take his highly efficient mid-range pull-up.
Video 2
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Phoenix Suns scout report 11

Jae Crowder - Catch and shoot
Jae Crowder (#99) is used as a kick out shooter since he is unable
to create shooting situations for himself. 25.6% of all the Suns 22 F
catch and shoots are taken by Jae Crowder. Mostly his shooting 3
5
opportunities come from iso situations where shifty offensive
player (for instance #1 Devin Booker) drive inside forcing Jae
Crowder’s defender to jump inside to help, following by kick out 4
pass backs to Jae Crowder for an open look, preferably from
corners. 67% of the shooting accuracy from the left corner.
99 1
Video

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If some sort of actions (middle PnR or isolation) are ran toward

Jae Crowder, and he is situated on the wing from the side of 2, G 1 3 F
and his defender stunts too hard on the ball handler, he is also
used as a kick out shooter from the wing -14 shots in the last 6
games against Bucks from this area with 57% of accuracy.
Video
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Phoenix Suns scout report 12

Devin Booker - Hand offs
Phoenix runs pin down action with Devin Booker (#1) to give him
an advantage on following hand off with center (mostly with #22 1 1
Deandre Ayton). Only 3.8% of all the Suns offensive game come down
to the hand off type of play but 82.6% of them are played by Devin G 1
Booker. Taking the ball Devin Booker prefers to create more space 4
by taking 1 or 2 dribbles to his favorite spot to take an open mid- F
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range pull-up. 60% of the shooting accuracy from around the nail 5
area taking mid range pull up shot. If Devin Booker’s defender goes
under the screen, he can take an open 3 point. 99
Video 22

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Cameron Payne - PnR handlers 2

Cameron Payne (#15) has an attacking mentality coming off PnR set
up by the big (mostly by #22 Deandre Ayton). Despite the fact that he
is left-handed, he is quite a versatile driver who can attack both
sides, preferably all the way to the basket. In most cases he prefers 4 C
to finish with the left hand using “scoop” or “floater” lay-ups. 52.9% 5
of Cameron Payne’s PnR possessions were finished by using lay up PF
having 1.33 PPP. 1
Video
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Phoenix Suns scout report 13

Mikal Bridges - Catch and shoot
Mikal Bridges (#25) has his shooting opportunities coming from
kick out passes after the ball gets into the paint either by some of 25 3 PF PF
iso players getting in, forcing defenders to collapse inside, or by
big players receiving the ball rolling inside and kicking it
out.18.6% of all the Suns catch and shoots are taken by Mikal 5
Bridges. Majority of Mikal Bridges’ shots are taken from corners.
71% of shooting accuracy from the left corner in the 6 games C
series against Bucks. 1
Video 2
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Phoenix Suns scout report 14

PnR Defense: Over
Defending against all kinds of PnR, Suns prefer to cover the ones
by using “DROP” coverage, where the player guarding the ball 3
F
(mostly guards or small forwards) fights over the screen trying
to recover position, and the big defender (mostly #22 Deandre
C
Ayton or Frank #8 Kaminsky) makes backpedaling to prevent easy
layups giving away mid-range J’s. Covering side PnR with an empty PF
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near corner 3 players on the opposite side create a triangle where G G
they provide a small stunt from the wing.
Video 2
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Suns runs the same “DROP” coverage on middle PnR. On this kind
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of action, big (mostly Deandre Ayton) covering the action and small 3 F 3 C
are trying to handle coverage by playing 2-on-2 with minimum
help from other teammates to not create kick out passes. In this
particular set up, Chris Paul (#3) rotates on roller to help on lob PF
pass.
Video 4

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Phoenix Suns scout report 15

PnR Defense: Switch
All the positions 1 through 4 are switching on on-ball screens
(except #22 Deandre Ayton and #8 Frank Kaminsky), because 1 25 2
all of them have almost the same size and defensive abilities. PF
If the switch has occurred with Chris Paul and rolling down he
has a switch out option, he uses the one to have a better
matchup on roller. 99
Video
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PnR Defense: Ice

In some moments (especially having non-shooting big as a screener)
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Suns run “ICE” side pick and roll coverage keeping the ball handler F
away from the middle of the floor. Small guarding the ball handler
(mostly #3 Chris Paul or #15 Cameron Payne) fights over the screen
to recover position, and big (mostly #22 Deandre Ayton) retreats 22 PF
back making backpedal. 3 teammates on the other side create a
triangle. 5
1 4 G
Video G
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Phoenix Suns scout report 16

PnR Defense: Under
If a non-shooting ball-handler is screened (mostly by big) Suns
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cover this type of action by going under the screen. In this case F 5
they give away a 3 point shot avoiding the ball-handler from C
getting inside the paint.
Video
PF
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PnR Defense: Hedge

Suns run “Hedge” PnR coverage in the situation where small
player sets up an on-ball screen to - in this case - Giannis 1 3
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C G
Antetokounmpo (#34) to stop him from speeding up right after he F
gets by the screener. Screener’s defender makes hedge recovering G 2
position back to his player afterward, and the ball handler’s
defender goes under to recover position on Giannis
Antetokounmpo. Other teammates are interchangeable and barely
involved in coverage.
Video PF

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Phoenix Suns scout report 17

Defense against Catch and shoot
Majority of catch and shoot attacks in 6 game series against the
Bucks came from the right wing, because they collapsed around 1 2
the pick and roll (or the isolation) to stop the ball handler from G
getting into the paint by stunting from the wing which led to a kick G
out pass to the wing. Suns came for a full closeout to contest every
shot. C
Video PF
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Defense against Isolations

Suns prefer not to force the ball handler to any side trying to stay
in front. By playing hard defense the best option for them is to 3
force the ball handler to take contested mid-range or a long range PF
jump shot. Other teammates (those who are not guarding the ball G
handler) shrink the floor around the ball (all positions including the G
1
ball handler’s defender are interchangeable).
Video F C
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Phoenix Suns scout report 18

Defense against Post ups
Playing defense against a very aggressive post player (mostly
against center), Suns go for the double team from the next player G 1
toward the middle of the floor, but only when the post player 4 22
initiates the dribble. 23.4% of all the post up possessions are PF 5
played against #22 Deandre Ayton allowing 1.13 PPP. All the
other teammates rotate from the next player in a circle way.
Video
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If the post player is not a big threat inside (especially if the player
in the post is guard), Suns prefer to play 1-on-1 having a subtle G 2
4
dig down by the nearest teammate on the 3 point line. Chris Paul
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3 PF
(#3) is the 3rd worst player defending the post allowing 1.11
points in 1.5 avg possessions.
Video
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Phoenix Suns scout report 19

Defense against Drives
Suns closeout defense depends on the scout report (where to force
4 3
particular players coming for closeout) but as a general rule for PF
closeouts they don’t want to give away middle of the floor keeping 5 F
the ball on the side. C
Video

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Phoenix Suns scout report 20