The setting to music of the “Big Three” of the Suns, composed of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, will obviously be the attraction of the season in Phoenix. But to go far, the three stars will need support.
For this, there will obviously be Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen, but also Nassir Little, who is less talked about because his early career was marked by injuries. Hampered by abdominal, hip and shoulder problems, the winger ultimately only played 192 matches in four seasons.
However, with his improving “3&D” profile, that is to say a player capable of shooting from afar and defending, he could become an important element to support the Suns trio.
“He’s a valuable player”assures Frank Vogel at AZ Central. “He is complete: he has progressed to 3-point and can defend against small and big players alike. He’s going to be one of those players who will be useful to us. We can put it on the best opposing player, regardless of his position. »
Two missions: defend and open fire
Nassir Little confirms his role by explaining what he must do in Phoenix. “Bring energy, defend, get rebounds, shoot when I’m open”he lists in particular. “Be consistent and do my job, regardless of the players around me. »
His outside shooting will be a key for the Suns. Defenses will be focused on Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, and their teammates will therefore have open shots. It will be necessary to include in it what the former Portlander is doing better and better, with his 36% success rate behind the arc last season (with even a sequence of several matches where he had a 40% success rate), for example. compared to his low 29% during his rookie season.
“He is more than capable of attacking, putting in shots if the defender goes under the screen. He has confidence when he is in a catch-and-shoot situation,” believes his coach.
“I have the feeling that, over the years, my outdoor shooting has improved,” judge to conclude Nassir Little. “I’m still working on it, to gain consistency. It’s a matter of repetition, but I make sure my elbow is on the inside, to have a bigger curve. »
| Nassir Little | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | POR | 48 | 12 | 43.0 | 23.7 | 63.6 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 3.6 |
| 2020-21 | POR | 48 | 13 | 46.7 | 35.0 | 80.0 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 4.6 |
| 2021-22 | POR | 42 | 26 | 46.0 | 33.1 | 73.4 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 9.8 |
| 2022-23 | POR | 54 | 18 | 44.2 | 36.7 | 71.7 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 6.7 |
| Total | 192 | 17 | 45.1 | 33.5 | 72.5 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 6.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
