Suns 5-On-5: Pre-Training Camp Storylines
Heading into training camp, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye for the Phoenix Suns. There’s Markieff Morris‘ uncomfortable relationship with the organization, there’s the positional battle between Devin Booker and Archie Goodwin for minutes off the bench and there’s Eric Bledsoe‘s attempts to step up as a leader.
With nothing but time to kill before training camp starts up, we gathered together five of our writers to take a look at the major Suns storylines with a new Suns 5-on-5.
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1. Do you believe Eric Bledsoe is capable of being more of a leader than he’s given credit for?
Scott Chasen (@SChasenKU): Absolutely. But I think that applies to Eric Bledsoe in general. He is a really, really, really good point guard, with elite athleticism and defensive ability. I think he’s underrated in almost every aspect of his game, and that definitely applies to leadership. An example of that leadership? He was seen over the summer working on the pick-and-roll with Alex Len.
Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet): I do. If your issue with Bledsoe is that he may have already reached his ceiling, consider that he’s only 25 and last season was just his first full season as a starter in this league. If your issue is his lack of charisma, remember that he’s still the best player on this team; leading by example is very much a form of leadership.
And if your issue is Bledsoe’s perceived lack of interest or passion, look to his feel-good summer. He’s been in the gym with Alex Len, he’s been seen cheering on the Suns’ Summer League team, he’s been holding summer camps for the kids, and he’s been saying all the right things. This could be a big year for Bledsoe.
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Spencer Hann (@spencer_hann): Absolutely. I will admit, last season you would have been hard pressed to find a bigger Bledsoe critic than myself. His on-court mistakes were 10 times worse in my mind because of his seeming inability to galvanize his teammates.
Yet, Bledsoe has shown a totally different side to Suns fans everywhere this offseason, staying in Phoenix all summer, working out and developing chemistry with Alex Len, cheering on the Summer Suns, etc. From afar this looks like it could (and should) be Bledsoe’s most complete year yet.
Mark Harris (@Harris_Mark7): I think Eric Bledsoe hasn’t been given the credit he deserves for two reasons: he’s just 25 years old and the Suns have never made the playoffs under his watch. The age thing will obviously take care of itself, but until he leads the Suns to the playoffs then nobody will care whether or not he is a good leader. For all we know the Jacksonville Jaguars have great locker room leadership, but when you don’t win it doesn’t matter.
Colton Dodgson (@dodgsoncolton): I feel as though Bledsoe is one of the more likeable members of the team, thus, he garners the respect of his teammates. Management views him as the leader of a young roster and the cornerstone of the franchise. Given all of the movement and young players in the rotation, Bledsoe should step up in a huge way this year, dispelling all doubt about his ability to lead this team.
Not to mention, at 25, Bledsoe will be entering the prime years of his career. Should Brandon Knight, Tyson Chandler and Devin Booker make a smooth transition to the Valley of the Sun, a career year could be in the cards for Bledsoe.
Next: No. 2