Torrey Craig Could Be X-Factor Defender for Suns in NBA Finals
The Phoenix Suns are in the NBA Finals for the first time in 28 years. They rebuilt from the ground up and have two of their lottery picks from the last five drafts leading their team to the promised land.
The turning point was trading for Chris Paul in the summer. Paul has been one of the keys the Suns needed to fully unlock their potential.
Going into the Finals, the big names on the Suns are getting all the love they deserve. WynnBET has set Devin Booker’s odds to win Finals MVP at +185 and Paul’s at +210. Even Deandre Ayton is getting love with his odds being set at +2000.
However, there’s another player on the Suns that will be an X-factor going into the NBA Finals: Torrey Craig. While Craig is so much of a longshot to win Finals MVP that WynnBET doesn’t have odds for him, his defensive contribution will be key to the Suns making good on their -215 odds to win the title.
Torrey Craig was a +28 tonight, the highest on the Suns. pic.twitter.com/BefddVwBL9
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 1, 2021
Craig’s main assignment was to guard Paul George in the Conference Finals, and he did his job well. Throughout the series, George was 3-of-12 and had two turnovers when Craig was the primary defender.
Paul George was 3-of-12 (25%) with two turnovers when guarded by Torrey Craig in the Western Conference Finals. pic.twitter.com/2CockabuCm
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 1, 2021
If the Milwaukee Bucks make it out the East, Craig will likely spend his time between Khris Middleton (who might get completely locked up by Craig) and Jrue Holiday. If Atlanta wins, Craig will split time between Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanavic.
Either way, he’ll be deployed on one of the best offensive players on the other team, and they better be ready. Craig might not get much shine, but his worth at this stage is enormous.