Mason Plumlee’s subtle brilliance on display in Phoenix

Mason Plumlee joined the Suns after spending a season and a half with the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that presented constant challenges. Facing the Clippers meant preparing for their starting center, Ivica Zubac, but the task didn’t get any easier once he sat down. When Plumlee took the field, it wasn’t a moment for relief or celebration. He was a reliable backup, rooted in strong fundamentals and more than capable of outscoring our backup big time in one-on-one matchups.

Now, with Plumlee on the Suns, he might not be making highlights, but he’s doing exactly what most of the roster has done so far: embracing his role.

Drew Eubanks was an under par backup last year, there is simply no other way to put it. The backup center role does not need to be a worldwide role. But it must be stable. The Suns were worse when he was on the floor. He was a team-worst -106 last season. We just needed him to be 75% of what Nurkic was and he would be okay. Nurkic, mind you, led the team with +404.

Eubanks is in Utah now and ironically leads the 1-7 Jazz by +14 +/-. In his place for Phoenix is ​​11-year veteran Mason Plumlee.

Plumlee has brought much-needed stability to the Suns’ backup center position. Thanks to his strong grasp of positioning, he isn’t hurts the team. While the offense may not be as fluid or dynamic, the Suns remain competent on both ends of the floor when Plumlee is on the court.

So far, his stat line is modest: 16 minutes on average per game. game, 4.2 points on 65.2% shooting and 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 of which are offensive. He is fourth on the team with 11 offensive rebounds and is second with a +28 plus/minus. Additionally, he has the fourth-best net rating on the team at +6.0.

Those numbers are due in part to his shared minutes with fellow bench player Royce O’Neale. In their 80 shared minutes this season, they boast an impressive 138.3 offensive rating, a 114.6 defensive rating and a +23.7 net rating.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer has relied on Mason Plumlee when Jusuf Nurkic struggles. In the Suns’ second game against the Clippers at the Intuit Dome, Nurkic appeared rushed and unfocused, going a -14 in just 8:47 of the first quarter. Budenholzer benched him for the remainder of the half, turning to Plumlee to bring stability to the center position and help stabilize both the offense and defense.

Mason Plumlee’s physical limitations, particularly his lack of top-tier athleticism, may limit what he can accomplish on the field. But his cerebral approach to the game has been a welcome asset for the Suns. His basketball IQ, combined with a keen sense of positioning and decision-making, allows him to contribute in ways beyond raw athletic ability.

This savvy play has been a crucial part of his seamless integration into the team’s system. By embracing his role and executing it effectively, Plumlee has become a quiet catalyst for the Suns’ early season success. His consistent presence has helped stabilize the team, contributed to their impressive seven-game winning streak and propelled them to lead the Western Conference with an 8-1 record.

Oh, and he shoots free throws left-handed.