Bol Bol’s rise increases the Phoenix Suns’ ceiling

Bol Bol’s rise increases the Phoenix Suns’ ceiling.

The Phoenix Suns have themselves something in Bol Bol. If sustainable, it could shift the entire dynamic of the team.

Even while he will always be a fan favorite, if you haven’t already, you should start considering Bol Bol seriously.

In order to strengthen their postseason rotation, the Phoenix Suns had already added Royce O’Neale and Thaddeus Young, but Bol Bol may have been the deciding factor this entire time. The arrival of veteran players was undoubtedly necessary, but Bol’s rise elevates the bar for a club hoping to win a championship.

Was he there all along, just hiding in plain sight?

Bol Emerging Bol Bol during the course of his last three games: 11.5 minutes per game, 7.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG, and 15.0 PPG on 70.6% TS. Not only do his efficiency figures look impressive, but I find it particularly noteworthy that he has had only one turnover in the last six games.

Kevin Durant, the standout player for the Suns, has taken notice of his recent rise and shown him respect.

“He’s been more than I expected,” Durant remarked. Bol’s game is built on his intangibles, work ethic, IQ, and everything else about him that I never really gave much thought to.

Bol is someone we all love, but Fiz has a special place for him, according to Frank Vogel. He’s only attempting to instruct him in the game.

With confidence, the big man is sinking shots over LeBron James. Then, he attacks the aggressive closeout on the following possession after catching it in the corner. We refer to that as growth.

The length he provides in closeouts also adds an element of size that the Suns have lacked from their “non-centers” in the past.

His ability to successfully play alongside either Nurkic/Eubanks and Durant at the same time adds dynamic to this Phoenix team that makes them dangerous. This could just be the tip of the iceberg, too. There are some fun lineups they can mix and match with pseudo-fives Thad Young or Royce O’Neale paired with Durant and Bol that have me excited.

He’s cutting out the stupid mistakes and he’s discovered the ideal balance between confidence and appropriate shot selection.

The ability to maintain composure under pressure and make sound decisions may often be the difference between a rookie player and success in a playoff setting or in a tight moment.

Although Bol’s contesting shots efforts may not receive the recognition they merit, that is the purpose of our Bright Side Staff.

I strongly advise you to read this article written by our Stephen PridGeon-Garner: Stephen’s Research: In the primary rotation, he is asserting his claim and maintaining the Bol Bol Effect.

Stephen discusses Bol’s ability to contest shots in-depth here, along with the effect it has on the Suns’ defense as a whole.

In his piece, this caught my attention the most:

Bol + Durant: 48 minutes, 98.10 DEFRTG – 108 possessions that were not garbage time; 97.1 DEFRTG (corresponding to a duo in the 100th percentile) and 81.1 in the halfcourt.

Bol, Durant, and Eubanks: 23 minutes, 88.2 seconds.