Isaiah Thomas wants to "kill Sacramento." But is he the best option in a crowded Phoenix backcourt?
Sacramento's up next for your Phoenix Suns. It's the first game against the Kings for Isaiah Thomas since his trade to Phoenix, and in August he gave us this gem when asked about his former employer:
"I tell everybody I love Sacramento," he said recently. "I always will love Sacramento, but when we play them I'm going to kill Sacramento."
"Kill Sacramento" should absolutely be the name of a band. Or at least your fantasy basketball team.
If nothing else, it's the goal for Friday. Following a back to back with the Lakers and Grizzlies, the Suns get a day of rest before welcoming the Kings to Phoenix. So who of the backcourt triple threat fares best after a day off?
The shooting percentage numbers for Goran Dragic are nearly identical with a day off compared to playing games in consecutive days. Whether it's the second game of a back to back or a day in between contests, The Dragon connects on about 46% of his shots. Behind the arc his numbers are 36% with no rest, 37% with a day off. But what of the opponent?
The numbers from Dragic may surprise you. He shoots particularly poorly behind the arc against Sacramento. His 27% three point shooting percentage for his career is his third worst among all NBA teams, ahead of just San Antonio and Toronto. It's not a small sample size either. He's appeared in 21 games against Sacramento and hoisted up 55 triples, connecting on just 15. His 42% field goal percentage against the Kings is worse than his performances against 25 other teams.
Field goal percentage numbers for Eric Bledsoe with a little bit of rest don't change too dramatically. With no rest he's shooting about 44% from the field. With a day off, he's good for about 45%. However his three point numbers drop off significantly the more time he spends off the court. With no rest he shoots about 39% behind the arc. A day off and that number drops to 33%. Two days off and the numbers plummet to 23%. Bledsoe's field goal percentage against the Kings is middle of the road. He shoots 44% against Sacramento, his 15th favorite opponent.
That brings us to the new acquisition, Mr. Thomas. Obviously, he's not yet had the opportunity to put up any numbers against his old squad. Let's hope they are of the video game variety. Nevertheless, a little time off does wonders for IT's three point numbers. While his field goal percentage stays at about 44%, a day of rest and his three point percentage spikes from 30% to 37%. Two days off and the number rises even further to 41%.
You know what all those numbers mean? They mean you should bank on Thomas to make good on his threat to "kill Sacramento."
"I want to beat those guys," Thomas said last night. "That's a pretty good team over there. Obviously I want to play well. I want to shot those guys they made a mistake, but at the same time it's about winning. It's about doing what's best."
Of the 4-1 Kings, Thomas wouldn't go into any more praise than he had to. When asked about their hot start, he replied: "What are we, five games in? That's all I can say. It's five games."
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