Suns Show Depth Is Their Secret Weapon, and Other News from Friday's NBA Action
The San Antonio Spurs may be known for a second unit that led the league in scoring and assists last season, but it was the Phoenix Suns' depth on display Friday night.
Head coach Jeff Hornacek's up-and-comers moved to 2-0 on the young season with a 94-89 victory over the reigning champs, riding a 10-0 fourth-quarter run to take their first lead in a game San Antonio had otherwise controlled.
Suns sixth man Isaiah Thomas led the way with his second straight 23-point game, making up for a mediocre evening from starting guards Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe, who made just seven of their 25 combined attempts from the field.
Acquired from the Sacramento Kings this summer in a sign-and-trade deal, the 25-year-old spark plug tallied 10 of his points in the fourth quarter, showing the kind of composure needed to knock off heavyweights like the Spurs. His continued efficiency has quickly added a new dimension to the Suns' already potent attack.
With under five minutes remaining in the game, Hornacek left Thomas on the floor with Dragic and Bledsoe, riding a trio of point guards through a stretch in which San Antonio struggled to score or defend.
Thomas got some help from fellow reserves Alex Len and Gerald Green, who scored 10 points apiece. Taken with the fifth overall pick in 2013, Len added 11 rebounds to claim his first career double-double.
The 21-year-old turned some heads in the process.
Whereas the Spurs struggled to supplement strong outings from Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, Phoenix highlighted just how many weapons it has this season—getting 20 points and 11 rebounds from Markieff Morris in addition to the strong bench play.
It wasn't that Dragic and Bledsoe—the closest things to stars on this team—were bad Friday night. It's just that the complementary pieces were the ones making the difference, which could prove invaluable moving forward.
Hornacek and Co. handed San Antonio a surprising 106-85 loss a season ago, so there's some precedent for Friday's outcome. Phoenix's quickness and energy makes it a formidable opponent, one that stands a strong chance of besting last season's 48 wins and firmly cementing itself in the playoff conversation.
That's all the more apparent with Thomas now in the fold.
The 5'9" floor general made 10 of his 17 field-goal attempts against San Antonio, regularly using his speed to create space in the mid-range or strike from the painted area. It was a different look from a Phoenix debut in which he did his damage on the perimeter with five three-pointers in a 119-99 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thomas' multidimensionality is no coincidence.
"I'm going to take what the defense gives me," he recently told Grantland's Zach Lowe. "I've worked on my mid-range game. If it's there, I'm going to shoot those. But for the most part, with the style of play the Suns run, we're gonna shoot a lot of threes. If the ball goes in, I'm fine, either way."
The Suns couldn't have asked for a better start from their most recent arrival, and there's little doubt the added backcourt depth will remain a factor as the franchise continues to cultivate its newfound winning pedigree. It's a factor that just might garner some individual accolades.
So far, so good.
Around the Association
LeBron Looking More at Home in Cleveland
Four-time MVP and all-around mega-icon LeBron James bounced back from an icy debut to his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a 17-point season opener in which he made just five of 15 field-goal attempts, James scored a far more efficient 36 points in Friday night's 114-108 overtime victory against the Chicago Bulls.
The two-time champion scored Cleveland's first eight points in the extra session, helping even the Cavaliers' early record and steal the first match of what may be an emergent Eastern Conference rivalry.
The Bulls and Cavaliers have set themselves apart from the rest of the East, boasting deep rosters and superior star power. Neither side disappointed in the first regular-season go-around since LeBron's return.
Captain Kirk Almost to the Rescue
With starting point guard Derrick Rose relegated to just 25 minutes after a mild left ankle sprain, Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau turned to 33-year-old Kirk Hinrich for 34 minutes of Chicago's overtime loss to the Cavs on Friday night.
He didn't disappoint, scoring eight of his 20 points with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Hinrich nailed back-to-back three-pointers and temporarily gave Chicago a five-point lead, ultimately assuring the Bulls a chance to win the game in OT.
Hinrich started the game at shooting guard with Jimmy Butler still recovering from a thumb injury. His opportunities for heroics may be limited this season, but his experience running an offense will remain a valuable asset as Thibodeau attempts to keep Rose fresh and healthy.
Grizzlies Still Go As Z-Bo Goes
Zach Randolph has made 19 of his first 30 field-goal attempts to start the season, scoring a combined 47 points in the Memphis Grizzlies' first two contests—both wins. He tallied 11 of those points in the decisive third quarter of a 97-89 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Randolph and Co. outscored Indiana by 19 points in the period, recovering from 53-45 halftime deficit in short order.
The Grizzlies have long been known for grinding out games with their talented big men, and this season isn't departing from the script.
Center Marc Gasol—set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer—has been equally impressive in his first two outings, scoring a total of 52 points and otherwise filling up the stat sheet.
Easy on the Mayo
Shooting guard O.J. Mayo is coming off a disappointing first campaign with the Milwaukee Bucks in which he averaged 11.7 points per game and made just 40.7 percent of his field-goal attempts. Limited to 52 games by injury, the 26-year-old never found his rhythm.
And while it's too soon to certify his 2014-15 season as a legitimate turnaround, the first two games have been a promising sign for the USC product.
After an efficient 17-point season-opener, Mayo sank five of his seven three-point attempts in route to a 25-point outing. He led the way as the Bucks pulled their record to 1-1 with a 93-81 win over the rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers.
Mayo was selected with the third overall pick in 2008 and has shown flashes of potential stardom, but he remains in search of some stability. Can he find it in Milwaukee?
Rudy Nears Career High in Win vs. Portland
It took 40 points from swingman Rudy Gay for the Sacramento Kings to secure a 103-94 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, and they weren't just any 40 points.
The 28-year-old made 13 of his 19 field-goal attempts (including 3-of-4 from three-point range) and 11-of-13 free-throw attempts. It was an efficient display from the veteran and perhaps an indication that Gay's ready to carry the scoring load as Sacramento's first option.
The University of Connecticut product will make $19.3 million this season, the last of his contract with the Kings. He just might land a similarly lucrative deal from the organization if he churns out a few more games like this one.
His career high for a single game remains 41 points—for now.
Blake Griffin Keeps Lakers Winless
Though the Los Angeles Lakers took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers, they had no answer for four-time All-Star Blake Griffin. The 25-year-old tallied 39 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a 118-111 victory that deals the Lakers their third loss of a still-winless season.
Meanwhile, the Clippers remain undefeated after a narrow 93-90 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
The offense was more in sync Friday, thanks in part to sixth man Jamal Crawford's 22 points and five assists. But while these Clippers have a variety of scoring options, there's little doubt Griffin is their most dominant one.
This won't be the last time he fills it up this season.
The Dotted Line
The deadline to sign players to extensions passed Friday, spurring several late agreements and a number of unresolved contract situations.
Here's what you need to know:
The Minnesota Timberwolves paid an arm and a leg to keep point guard Ricky Rubio around for the next four years. He'll make $56 million over that span, a generous amount for a guy who made only 38.1 percent of his field-goal attempts a season ago—a career-high mark.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors secured their immediate future by coming to an agreement with shooting guard Klay Thompson on a maximum four-year deal worth around $70 million. The Utah Jazz locked up a shooting guard of their own after coming to terms on a four-year arrangement with Alec Burks at $42 million.
The more notable deals, however, may be the ones that didn't happen.
Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Reggie Jackson and Tristan Thompson all top the list of eligible candidates who didn't reach extension agreements with their respective clubs. They'll instead become restricted free agents next summer, meaning their current teams can match any offers they receive on the open market.
Jackson's situation is especially intriguing given his preference to be a starter.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that "Jackson is determined to pursue restricted free agency as a means to hunt a starting job in the NBA." He adds, "Jackson has been described as eager to get on the market next summer, out of All-Star Russell Westbrook’s shadow and prove his value as a frontline NBA point guard."
Friday's Big Fail
Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders found himself with a rare open path to the basket Friday night, and he was ready to take advantage. The only problem is that it wasn't the correct basket.
Sanders finished with eight points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in the winning effort. Fortunately he didn't finish with any big regrets.
