The inevitable conversation around a team that gets off to an unexpected hot start is to categorize what they’re doing as either sustainable or unsustainable. Hot shooting, an unlikely jump from an unknown player, or good luck on some of the more random aspects of basketball are all areas where it is expected fortunes will flip. Playing solid, disciplined defense is not something that should turn so dramatically.
While the Suns sustained some luck in the first portion of the season, their 7-4 start didn’t appear to be a fluke. Defense is a pillar of the team’s culture, and they spent much of the offseason and training camp fleshing out a scheme that would work for their roster.