PHOENIX SUNS: 51.5 WINS – UNDER
Key Additions
- Frank Vogel (coach)
- Bradley Beal (trade)
- Eric Gordon (free agency)
- Jusef Nurkic (trade)
- Bol Bol (free agency)
- Yuta Watanabe (free agency)
- Nassir LIttle (trade)
- Grayson Allen (trade)
- Drew Eubanks (free agency)
Key Subtractions
- Monty Williams (coach)
- Chris Paul
- Deandre Ayton
- Landry Shamet
- Cam Payne
- Jock Landale
- Torrey Craig
Rotation
- Guards
- Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon, Keon Johnson
- Wings
- Josh Okogie, Grayson Allen, Damion Lee
- Forwards
- Kevin Durant, Yuta Watanabe, Nassir Little, Keita Bates-Diop
- Bigs
- Jusef Nurkic, Drew Eubanks, Bol Bol
Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.
The ‘06-’07 Boston Celtics were led by Paul Pierce, Al Jefferson, Wally Szcerbiak, and a very young Rajon Rondo. The ‘07-’08 Celts were led by Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rondo, James Posey, and Kendrick Perkins. This is the only team in the modern history of the league to turn over such a large portion of the roster and then immediately win a ch’ip. It really never happens. To win in the NBA, you need more than just talent. Continuity & chemistry make the difference between great teams and champion teams. The Suns had the busiest offseason of anyone, and they’ll be a threat, no doubt. But I think the year they make a real run is the ‘24-’25 season, after they’ve had time to gel.
Sidenote: The Phoenix Suns have arguably the most physically talented team in the league, DESPITE the fact that they wasted their 2020 lottery pick on Jalen Smith (passing on Haliburton), and traded away the 2018 #1 overall pick Deandre Ayton (passing on Luka Doncic) for role players. These are the types of decisions that get people fired. They easily could have a lineup consisting of Luka Doncic, Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, & Kevin Durant right now. How James Jones still has a job is beyond me.
Last Year – Interesting Stats
- 4-9 in games decided by 3 points or less (sign of lack of cohesion)
- 8-0 in the 8 regular season games KD played in before he was hurt
- Devin Booker averaged 28, 5, & 5
- 5th in blocked shots
- Since returning from the achilles injury, KD has played in 137 out of 246 games
Keys to Success
KD’s health, Beal’s health, Vogel gets his stars to play defense, role players like Yuta, Nassir, Okogie, & Gordon become real threats, Nurkic proves that he still has something left in the tank, they all can fast-forward their chemistry
Potential Obstacles
Time – will they have enough minutes on the court together to truly be a threat in the playoffs, history – it’s rare for teams to turn over their entire roster and immediately become ch’ip contenders. KD’s health
Hot takes
- Nurkic misses half the season with injuries
- KD misses even more
- Beal has his best season as a pro
- Yuta is the team’s 4th best player
- Drew Eubanks plays crunch time minutes over Nurkic
STANDINGS PREDICTION: 7TH IN THE WEST
