NBA power rankings week 13: Halfway mark, OKC Thunder hold steady

Phoenix Suns:

Offense: (109.9) tied 13th
Defense: (110.3 ) 19th
Net: (minus -0.4) 14th

Games Week 13 (2-1): Won vs. Knicks: 121-98, Celtics: 123-119, Lost vs. Hawks: 110-123
Games Week 14 (4 games): Mon vs Spurs | Weds vs. Pacers | Fri at Spurs | Sun at Grizzlies

A couple of takeaways from the loss to the Hawks. First, it pinpointed just how vital Ricky Rubio is to the offense. Rubio wasn’t with the team in the loss (with his wife for the birth of their baby).  Recalling recent seasons this highlighted how a team can have supremely talented players but if at least one player isn’t initiating the offense as their priority role the team sputters.

This also speaks to the fact there aren’t enough playmakers in general on the Suns and they should investigate that in the future additions to the roster.

The second point is more of an annoyance — officiating, in general, this season is atrocious. Too many games are being affected by the whistle and someone needs to put a stop to this. There isn’t consistency among crews let alone from quarter to quarter and it hurts the sport.

New fans who witnessed Devin Booker get a tech and tossed for simply saying “I can do that every time”  and the previous night witnessed Ja Morant use NSFW language toward James Harden are confused. Why is it okay in one game and not another?

It highlights the ridiculousness of the whistle and shines a light on the very real need for Adam Silver to clean this up.

And for what it’s worth – let them talk – it’s fun and part of the game.  If a player complains too much or uses inappropriate language toward the ref – fine.

Deandre Ayton produced a 20 point, 20 rebound double-double in the win over the Knicks becoming the first Suns player to deliver the 20/20 effort since Charles Barkley played in Phoenix.