The Suns have shut down their veterans or been shut down by their veterans with two goals in mind – developing young talent and tanking.
Incidentally, Phoenix also made history.
Against the Nets last night, the Suns started:
- Tyler Ulis (21)
- Devin Booker (20)
- Derrick Jones Jr. (20)
- Marquese Chriss (19)
- Alex Len (23)
ESPN:
The Suns' starting 5 was the youngest in NBA history tonight — younger than all but ONE of the Sweet 16 teams playing.
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 24, 2017
(via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/NWp7JUEyZu
The previous youngest was the Clippers’ starting five consisting of guards Eric Bledsoe and Eric Gordon, forwards Al-Farouq Aminu and Blake Griffin, and center DeAndre Jordan, who averaged 21 years and 143 days old in a matchup with the Nets on November 15, 2010.
The young Suns gained quality experience – and helped their team to an important loss, 126-98 to Brooklyn.
Phoenix is still 1.5 games “behind” the Lakers for the No. 2 seed in the lottery, but the Suns are within striking distance in case the Lakers screw up and win too much down the stretch.