Phoenix Suns 2026-27 media day has come and gone, and Miles Bridges' admission that he wants to become a "defensive nightmare" alongside Dillon Brooks might just save Jalen Green's starting spot in The Valley, as the team could hide his shortcomings better.
Suns forwards becoming elite defensive tandem takes pressure off Geen
For the new Suns' starting five of Green, Bridges, Brooks, Devin Booker and possibly Khaman Maluach (General Manager Brian Gregory said this was in play) to be successful, several of these players must change the way they play.
Green did his part by working out with Steve Nash this offseason in hopes of controlling the pace of play better and acting as more of a point guard next to Booker. But he remains the weak point defensively, while Bridges has never been interested in contributing on that end of the court either.
If Bridges is serious about forming a fearsome defensive duo alongside Brooks, it would make a lot more sense for Green to remain a part of the starting five. Coming off the bench may still be where Green ultimately ends up with this group, but the Suns would be able to hide him more frequently defensively if Bridges does step up.
Booker is an underrated defender for his position, while Maluach and Oso Ighodaro helped contribute to a top-10 defense last time out. Bridges adapting his game to take fewer shots and guard bigger scorers would give Green the opportunity to continue playing the way he knows best: Offensive bursts followed by defensive lapses in judgment.
Bridges must now back up talk of becoming better defender
It is one thing to tell the assembled media you want to be the best defensive contributor you can be; quite another to go out there and do it. Encouragingly, Bridges took 13.5 field goal attempts last season, his lowest since 202-21 and way down from roughly 17 in the prior two seasons.
If he could take another small hit to that overall number while also creating his own shot on occasion, it would make Green's life much easier.
He would be able to give the Suns close to 20 points each night while hopefully taking some of the playmaking duties away from Booker. All of this is only made possible if Bridges takes on tough defensive assignments, bringing better balance to the starting five.
It could also unlock new lineup possibilities for Head Coach Jordan Ott, with Bridges as the featured two-way player while Brooks and even Booker are on the bench. An exciting prospect.
