By Jordan Long
The Phoenix Suns will resume the regular season on Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They will be without star point guard Chris Paul who is going to be out 6-8 weeks with an avulsion fracture of his right thumb. This could cost him the regular season and maybe part of the postseason as well.
The Suns sit in first place in the Western Conference with a record of 48-10, 6.5 games ahead of the Golden State Warriors. One of the big reasons is the play of Chris Paul. He was having an MVP-like season up to this point, averaging 14.9 points and 10.7 assists per game. Paul was the floor general who set up the plays and told his teammates where to go. These were easy buckets or high percentage shots with the ball movement.
This has the potential to be a big loss for the Suns. According to ESPN.com, Devin Booker said, “We have to figure it out. Everybody has to give a little bit more. I look at the beauty in it. He gets to rest his legs. He gets to get ready for a long postseason that we’re trying to make happen. So we got to hold it down without him. We got to hold the fort down. I’m sure Coach is already coming up with some game plans and schemes to make it work without him out there.”
Booker becomes the star player with this injury. He has played well so far this year averaging 25.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Booker is now going to carry the load on offense. He should be able to put up points and get his teammates involved in the play. At least he can carry the team as their superstar but they need more than just him. Other players must step up.
The Suns will have to insert Camron Payne into the lineup. He is the backup to Paul but hasn’t started this season. He comes off the bench. In 40 games this year, Payne averages 10.5 points and 3.6 assists per game. Not the same production as Paul but he has to show he can be the starting point guard. If he struggles to set up the play or there are careless turnovers, they will look for someone else on the bench to take his place.
One of those players who could handle the duties of being the starting point guard is Aaron Holiday. Holliday hasn’t played much for the Suns yet with only 3 games so far this year. Holiday is in his 5th NBA season, appearing in 226 games but started only 55 of them. If Payne struggles, Holiday can carry the load. He’s not a Chris Paul but at least he has the experience being a starting point guard. Holiday averages 7.4 points and 2.3 assists per game in his career.
The Suns know this is a big blow to their championship aspirations. They should still be a top 4 team and earn home court advantage for at least 1 round. They would love nothing better than to be the top seed. Without Paul, consistency may be an issue. Golden State is healthier and they could take advantage if the Suns go on a long losing streak to be the number one seed. Of course, the playoffs are what matters. Paul could be back but if not, who knows how far this team goes without him.
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