Defense should effect the overall averages. Under D'Antoni, they had to play their starters until the last minute or so because they so frequently lost big leads due to weak crunch defense.
The Suns personality was that they could only protect a lead by scoring a lot of points. When the other team would start playing really intense defense, the Suns would miss shots and the other team could quickly get back into the game. The result was that the Suns would have to keep starters in a long time.
But if the Suns are able to match the intensivty with backups, it will slow their opponents down when try to make a run. This will let the backups stay on the court longer.
Making runs means taking quick snots, something the Suns are used to doing but most teams aren't. This gives the Suns a chance to get out and run IF they get the hustle rebounds and really attack the basket at the other end. I think this team's bench is being set up to play that way to a much greater degree than in the past.
Another element of having a lot of energy guys on the bench is that this type of guy can be effective in short minutes. Usually shooters need time to warm up and "get the feel of the game". Jimmy Jackson was a classic in that sense. Jumaine Johnson was a guy who never could get enough minutes to find his range. Leandro is the exception, in that he doesn't need time to warm up; but most shooters do. Guys who are all about hustle and attacking the basket like Barnes and Tucker can have an impact in short minutes. Amundson is like Skinner in that he can be useful in very short increments.
Over the course of the season, this should add up (or at least that's the plan).
