The Suns’ secret weapons are Ryan Dunn and Royce O’Neale

Ah, crud. Is it no longer a secret now?

Dunn and O’Neale. 0 and 00. Rumor has it that “0-0-0” is the emergency services code in Australia, the American version of “9-1-1-”. Side note: I think that is much better, don’t you? Seems easy to dial when you’re in peril. The 9 and 1 buttons are just so far apart, right?

The Phoenix Suns, with Mike Budenholzer at the helm, have unlocked something within the players that rock the neutral number. While zero may not carry a positive or negative connotation in mathematics, the Royce/Ryan duo is certainly creating significant challenges for opposing teams early in the season. And it’s adding up to wins.

When you start looking at what they are doing individually, you can’t help but be impressed.

Ryan Dunn has burst on the scene. What every scout thought was broken — his jump shot — had proven to be anything but. He’s third amongst rookies in points per game (9.4), tops in three-point makes (2.2) and percentage (44%).

I’m not sure how many of us on draft night that our 28th overall pick would have 2 starts and 18.6 minutes per game through the first five, but that’s what Dunn has…um…done. He’s played well enough offensively that his most valuable skill, his defense, is on the court more and more.

And then there’s Royce O’Neale.

Not many people talked about his re-acquisition this past offseason. The player acquired in the trade that sent half the bench away didn’t finish last season on a strong note. To be fair, although they went 7-3 in their last 10, neither did the team. Didn’t they get swept in the first round or something?

However, the Suns wisely re-signed O’Neale to a four-year, $44 million deal. This move not only benefits the team in the short term but also provides long-term flexibility, as it creates a highly tradeable contract if necessary.

What has O’Neale done thus far this year? He boasts the best defensive rating on the team at 94.6, the highest net rating at +24.6, and is shooting 47.6% on 4.2 three-point attempts per game. Additionally, he leads the team with an impressive +64 in plus/minus.

When their powers combine, Dunn and O’Neale have become quite the defensive duo for the Suns.

In just 37 minutes of play together this young season, the duo has propelled the team to an impressive offensive rating of 125.9 and a defensive rating of 98.9, resulting in a remarkable +27.1 net rating. This ranks as the sixth-best two-man lineup for the Suns, with the top four all featuring Royce O’Neale. The team is +16 with them on the court at the same time.

Why? How? What the?!!

Instincts

Dunn has demonstrated his savvy and prowess as a ball hawk, instinctively knowing how to guard opposing players with next-level anticipation. His active hands, while sometimes leading to foul trouble—he currently leads the team with 16 personal fouls—consistently clog passing lanes as he aims to fulfill his role as a disruptor.

Tenacity

Like Dunn, O’Neale has been tasked with playing bigger than his size, a necessity for the Suns given their overall small stature. This is one of the team’s weaknesses, but the presence of players like O’Neale and Dunn, who can elevate their games despite their physical limitations, helps to mitigate that shortcoming.

How do they accomplish this? With tenacity. O’Neale embodies that “dog” mentality that the younger generation often references. He hustles relentlessly, plays with grit, and even when he finds himself overmatched, he fights, claws, and battles for position, ensuring he makes his presence felt on the court.

The Three-Ball

We talked about the D. Now let’s talk about the 3.

You want a high net rating? That means you need to score as well. Both Dunn and O’Neale haven’t had any challenges in that regard as they’ve embraced the Budenholzer system and taken advantage of the opportunities provided to them.

The duo has combined for 21-of-46 from deep. 45.7%. Impressive much?

These two are not just taking non-contested, wide-open three-pointers; they are transforming those opportunities into lethal weapons. With an unshakeable confidence and precision that seems to defy pressure, both Dunn and O’Neale are consistently draining shots even in the face of oncoming defenders.

As they continue to find their rhythm, it’s clear that they are becoming critical components of the Suns’ offensive game plan, instilling fear in opposing defenses every time they release the ball.

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I’m still work shopping nicknames. I like “Emergency Services” — remember 0-0-0 — but neither are Australian, and then you have to explain the how and why, and it starts to get more confusing than the mathematical equation that converts Celsius to Fahrenheit. R&R for “Ryan” and “Royce”? But the last thing they do is allow any rest or relaxation.