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5 Things Phoenix Suns Must Improve After All-Star Break

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5 Things Phoenix Suns Must Improve After All-Star Break

Phoenix Suns: Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, Morris Twins, Miles Plumlee
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We are beyond the NBA All-Star break, and several teams are facing the tough decision of making a playoff push or tanking for a chance at a better future. The Phoenix Suns are one of these teams. Sitting at No. 9 in the Western Conference, here are five things the Suns must improve on in the second half of the season.

5. Technical Fouls

Morris Brothers
Jennifer Stewart - USA TODAY Sports

5. Technical Fouls

Morris Brothers
Jennifer Stewart - USA TODAY Sports

The Suns are second in the NBA with 55 technical fouls. That is almost one per game which is just inexcusable. Here's a fun fact: In 15 games this year that the Suns have lost by five or less points, they have 12 technical fouls. These are useless penalties that could end up being a big difference maker this year. They need to cut this number down drastically in the second half of the season.

4. Assists/Turnovers

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers
Andrew D. Bernstein - Getty Images

4. Assists/Turnovers

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers
Andrew D. Bernstein - Getty Images

In team rankings this season, Phoenix is 24th in turnovers, 21st is assists and 23rd in assist/turnover differential. They just traded Isaiah Thomas and Goran Dragic, who turn the ball over two times a game each, so that will help. In order for the Suns to be successful, they will need to play smarter team-basketball for the rest of year.

3. Rebounding

Phoenix Suns v Philadelphia 76ers
Jesse Garrabrant - Getty Images

3. Rebounding

Phoenix Suns v Philadelphia 76ers
Jesse Garrabrant - Getty Images

Phoenix ranks 20th in the NBA in rebounding. They recently got rid of center Miles Plumlee, and their frontcourt consists of several young players. Good rebounding teams tend to be successful, and Phoenix needs to improve in that area big time.

2. Team Defense

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the Phoenix Suns coaches against the Sacramento Kings on December 26, 2014 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Rocky Widner - Getty Images

2. Team Defense

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the Phoenix Suns coaches against the Sacramento Kings on December 26, 2014 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Rocky Widner - Getty Images

This is arguably Phoenix's worst statistical category. The Suns are 28th in team defense, giving up 105 PPG. That's just an embarrassing number. They score the ball on offense very well, so if they can play better defense they'll pick up a ton of wins in no time.

1. Team's Future

San Antonio Spurs v Phoenix Suns
Barry Gossage - Getty Images

1. Team's Future

San Antonio Spurs v Phoenix Suns
Barry Gossage - Getty Images

The Suns dropped to ninth place in the Western Conference behind a Thunder team that isn't looking back. It's going to be extremely difficult for Phoenix to make the playoffs, and based on the number of trades they have made, I think they know that. Having Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight isn't a bad start to the future, but the big key for Phoenix is to lock up their core players for the future and hope to be in contention for years to come.

Brian Brennan is a writer for RantSports.
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