Nick Richards ‘performance reveals holes in Suns’ center depth against quality team

As I let go of my seat in the footprint center last night and drowned in the vibrant chaos from Sun’s versus Clippers, I looked to the left of me. The stranger next to me, just as busy with the chaos, became my sound record for a question that had rubbed me as the fourth quarter progressed. But first … props to buzz rx for the seats. You are the right MVP. Still, it was the fourth quarter, tension rose, and I finally asked, “Where is Nick Richards?”

Nick Richards has exploded on the Phoenix Suns scene, which injects a spark and a playing style in the middle of this team that this team desperately needed. An athletic, field driving great with lateral speed and shooting ability, all qualities that Suns had been very missed. You didn’t get it from Jusuf Nurkic. And Mason Plumlee? He doesn’t bring it to the table either.

In his five matches with Suns so far, Nick Richards has shown flash of brilliance, but an regarding trend emerges. While he has been a strength against weaker competition, his production drops significantly against tougher opponents.

There is something head coach Mike Budenholzer sees that it is forcing his hand against stronger opponents.

Roof Cleveland Cavaliers Play, for example. Foul problems derailed Nick Richards early. He picked up two offensive violations, and with 6:20 back in the second quarter and Suns down 42-35 he committed his third. Coach Bud had no choice but to sit him and instead chose to go small against one of the league’s top teams – a gamble that came back.

When Richards returned with 10:09 pm back in the third quarter, Suns was already in a 67-48 hole. In his 10 minutes during the second half, Richards fought to make an influence, only 1-of-2 went from the field, grabbed a rebound and made two more mistakes. It was a tough excursion for the big man in a game where Suns desperately needed him to shine.

Last night against Clippers, Nick Richards clearly fought to deal with the huge presence of Ivica Zubac. HARDEN-ZUBAC-PICK-AND-ROLL REFULT REFUSED SUNS ‘DEFENSE WHEN ZUBAC ended the game with six dunks.

The figures tell the story: In the 5:43 minutes that Richards was tasked with protecting Zubac, he allowed 17 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting. It was a tough matchup that postponed cracks in Suns’ inner defense.

Phoenix spanned during the break with a 13-point lead, a pillow built pretty much in moments when Nick Richards wasn’t on the floor. He was the lonely sun with a negative plus minus at the break and sent a -4 in the first half.

Then came the third quarter when Suns did what they have become notorious for: to leave their energy back in the dressing room. A lifeless 20-6 run by Clippers wiped out the one-time competence lead. And who staffed the center position during this breakdown? You guessed it. Nick Richards.

Coach Bud decided to pull Richards back with 5:52 and he never looked back. The moment he got out of the game, Suns went on a 10-3 race.

When I asked to ride the game with Mason Plumlee, Coach Budenholzer replied that Mason, “played well. His activity, both defensively and offensively. Really felt like he was everywhere. “

The truth? Mason Plumlee surpassed Nick Richards in this one. It was a matchup tailored to him. Maybe it’s because he knows Clippers ‘system from his time there last season, but Plumlee was Suns’ best chance to secure the victory. Plain and simple.

Lord knows I’ve run the hype train to Nick Richards. I was all with his addition to Suns and thought he was filling a shining hole in the guard plan. But last night and against Cleveland was a humble reminder: Richards have his limitations. He is not Prime Shaq. He is not even Suns Shaq. He wants his moments without a doubt, but there’s a reason he earns $ 5 million a year.

Some matchups just don’t fit him, and unfortunately they tend to be against quality teams so far. That sort of opponents you need him to thrive against. His lob threat brings a dimension to Suns’ violation, which is very missing, but it doesn’t matter if he’s stuck on the bench. Just ask jusuf nurkic.

Fortunately for Suns, they have just enough depth to adjust and throw different eyes on opposing teams. Mason Plumlee stepped up in a big way last night. While he did not turn on the scoreboard – ended with 0 points – his influence was undeniable. Plumlee released a team-best +22 and clogged the paint just enough to disturb Zubac, which helped Suns keep Clippers.

He logged 11 critical minutes into the fourth quarter and proved his value as a defensive presence. Across three games against Clippers this season, Plumlee has matched with Zubac for 8 minutes and 41 belongings and holds him to only 10 points. It’s not flashy, but that’s exactly what Suns needed.

Therefore, Suns may still be in the market for another center. Of course, the idea of ​​keeping five centers absurd-that is one-third of your list-but if Suns can somehow move from jusuf nurkic’s contract while adding another center, it may be the best case when the trading deadline is approaching Say.

Bradley Beal doesn’t go anywhere, and although Richards has shown flashes of value, he has to prove more against the harsher competition that is threatening. Leaning on Mason Plumlee alone is not a sustainable solution. Having flexibility in terms of player sheet types in the middle position is useful, but in the end Suns needs Richards to step up.

I will return to my conversation with the stranger next to me at yesterday’s game. When asked where the newly acquired center was, they answered their own question. “Is that the new guy?”. I assume they are not on the hype train. And honestly, after last night, I can’t say I blame them.