The Phoenix Suns Can Find Success Like LeBron James Did With Miami Heat

Despite Deandre Ayton’s playoff struggles, the Phoenix Suns can still find hope

Even though the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets enter Game 5 with the series tied up, some fans aren’t happy with the overall production from the Suns.

In their eyes, it all falls on center Deandre Ayton.

Statistically, he’s having the worst playoff run of his career. He’s averaging a career-low 13 points and nine rebounds but he shouldn’t be counted out yet. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have led the Suns in the playoffs with a combined average of 66 points. But we’ve seen players like Ayton who still had a huge impact on winning teams.

One team we can draw comparisons from is the Miami Heat’s “Big Three”. When stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade and the Heat, they were automatic title favorites. But their game plan was simple: Let Wade and James lead the team and have Bosh as a third option.

And it worked! They won two titles in four straight appearances in the NBA Finals. 

The only difference is the Heat had a deep bench. They had sharpshooters in Ray Allen and Mike Miller and a defensive presence in Chris Andersen.

Still, the Suns can copy their game plan. Since Booker and Durant are two of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, they can let them run the offense with Ayton acting as a third option. Booker and Durant could easily average 20 to 25 points and Ayton can average a double-double.

If the Suns do this, there is no need to hit the panic button. However, since the Western Conference is loaded with superstars and only getting better, the Suns’ chances of being as successful as the Heat are slim.

But it’s still worth a try.

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.