In basketball, a game of passion and tactical wisdom is often won or lost not only by the outstanding performance of the stars, but also by the ability of the entire team to work together. However, on the other hand, in a key matchup that ended today, the Suns narrowly defeated the Magic team by 5 points, although it was a victory, but there were hidden worries that could not be ignored.
Looking back on the whole game, the performance of the Suns' Big Three is undoubtedly the highlight moment. Durant, Booker and Beal combined for 77 points and became strong drivers of the team's victory. Beal, in particular, scored 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the field, and was extremely efficient, and his keen scoring sense like an arrow penetrating the opposing defense was amazing.
But on the other hand, behind the star-studded stars, the rest of the players other than the starters seem to have disappeared. The starting five scored a total of 106 points in the game, while only six points were scored on the bench. If the starters are the Warriors, then the bench is like a reserve army with no rigorous training. In such a stark contrast, the Suns' sluggish scoring ability on the bench exposed their Achilles' heel: relying too heavily on the Suns' Big Three.
The 35-year-old Eric Gordon, despite his solid skills and experience, has a certain ability to rely on three-pointers to score. But he alone is beyond his power. It's clear that if the Suns want to remain competitive after the All-Star break and go far in the playoffs, they will have to bolster their bench through trades or other means.
After all, in the fierce playoffs, the Big Three alone will not be able to sustain the final victory. The opposing team will develop a targeted strategy, step up the defense, and exhaust their physical and mental strength to the limit. If there are no reliable bench players to step up at this time to relieve the pressure of the main team and provide stable output, it may be difficult for the Suns to maintain their strong combat effectiveness in multi-front operations for a long time.
History is the best teacher. If you take a closer look at the NBA's championship team configuration over the years, it is not difficult to find that every team that has successfully won the championship is accompanied by a group of bench players who can change the situation and can be called the "X factor". Although they are not the protagonists, they can often step up at critical moments and become the key to victory.
Looking ahead, the Suns should learn from history in their quest for a championship. In addition to cultivating and maintaining the existing superstar roster, it is also necessary to introduce or nurture role players who can take on important responsibilities, provide support at key moments, and even change the atmosphere and rhythm of the game. Whether it's through well-planned trades or strengthening existing bench training, strengthening bench depth has become an urgent issue for Suns management.
After a game that narrowly won but exposed a lot of problems, the Suns need to seriously reflect and adjust in time. Only by improving the strength of the whole team in an all-round and balanced way, and each position can rely on fighting side by side, can it be possible to gain a firm foothold in the next increasingly brutal competition, and finally attack the shining star of glory - the NBA championship trophy.