3. Will Tyler Ulis produce enough to become the main backup point guard on the roster?
The Suns roster is guard heavy, and with Brandon Knight coming off of the bench and Leandro Barbosa and Archie Goodwin waiting in the wings, it will be difficult for Ulis to see extended regular minutes.
However, one injury to a guard ahead of him and he’s pushed up a rung on the ladder. Plus, he showed a lot of heart in the Summer League and is not afraid to take his mid-range jumpers in the land of the giants.
Much of Ulis’ time will be awarded to him based on practice, and with his heart and energy, don’t be shocked if by mid-season he has worked his way into a regular role.
2. After all the offseason bluster, is Eric Bledsoe the undisputed leader of the Suns? Is this the season he takes a significant step forward in that regard and claims the Suns as his team?
Before his injury last season, Bledsoe was averaging 20.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.0 steals, all career highs. This offseason he paid for the team to take a bonding trip to San Diego and he hosted similar events at his home.
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Bledsoe recognizes that at the moment he is the best player on the roster, and as the team’s starting and undisputed point guard, he is developing into the role as team leader.
This can work wonders for a franchise not only looking for a player to lead the team, but also for a team that suffered through more turmoil in the two prior seasons than most teams endure in a decade.
Devin Booker is the future, but at nearly 27 years old, Eric Bledsoe is the now. For the Phoenix Suns to succeed, they need him to not only be the best player on both sides of the floor, but also the Captain.
He should take responsibility for the losses, even if it was not his fault. He should pass off responsibility for a victory, even if he should be awarded the credit.
Eric Bledsoe can lead this team where it wants to go, and as of today, he is the undisputed leader of the Phoenix Suns.