It should surprise a total of zero people that with the addition of Tyson Chandler in the off-season, the Suns interior defense has already vastly improved.
After all, when Tyson Chandler was on the floor for the Mavericks last season, Dallas allowed 3.7 fewer points per 100 possessions than when he was on the bench. That difference was greater than four of the 10 players named to last season’s NBA All-Defensive Team, including First Team center DeAndre Jordan.
With the Suns, though, Chandler’s defense in the paint has already inspired confidence and it’s being reflected in the team’s stats.
So far in 2015-16, Phoenix opponents attempt a shot within six feet of the basket a mere 21.7-percent of the time – by far the best mark in the NBA. Furthermore, the Suns allow just 11.5 FGs made within six feet of the hoop this season, also a league best (the Rockets, for example, average 21.0 opponent field goals made within six feet).
In fact, Suns opponents rarely like to attempt a shot within six feet; Phoenix allows just 17.5 FGA per game within that distance (best in the NBA). Again, for comparisons sake, the Oklahoma City Thunder average 33.0 opponent FGA within six feet when a player is defending the shot.
But just how much has the Suns’ interior defense improved from 2014-15? In a word, dramatically. Last season, Suns opponents attempted a shot within six feet of the rim about 34-percent of the time and averaged 17-made field goals from that same area per night (both third-most in the league).
The improving interior defense is directly correlated with a massive uptick in rebounds. To illustrate this point, the Suns totaled 55 rebounds on Oct. 30 and 53 on Oct. 28 marking the first time the Suns have had at least 53 rebounds in consecutive games since doing in two straight on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16, 2006 (Basketball-Reference). The Suns rank 3rd in the NBA with 52.8 rebounds per game – a major upgrade from 43.2 last season.
In terms of their general defense, Phoenix currently allows 98.8 points per game — one of just 13 teams in the NBA to hold opponents to an average of under 100 points each night. They force opposing teams into 43.4-percent shooting which is right in the middle of the pack.
It’s important to note that it’s still very early in the season, and Phoenix will look to shore up its perimeter defense as the season goes on, but having Chandler and Len dominating the defensive paint this early in the season certainly bodes well for the squad.
