Check out the VotS Live! Schedule Release episode!

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Josh Jackson of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Josh Jackson of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

I know, I know. The NBA schedule release is nothing like the NFL equivalent. No one begins a countdown on their phone calendars for when the Suns play the Grizzlies in April. Yet there is no denying – this season has a whole different feel to it than the previous few.

If you missed out on this week’s Valley of the Suns Live! episode where we made the Suns schedule release a prime topic, you missed out! While the Suns likely aren’t in a push for a playoff spot this season, and certainly a Championship in 2018 would be this short of a miracle, there is a feeling about the Suns’ 50th anniversary season that has not been felt in the Valley of the Suns in…well, honestly ever.

The Suns have never tanked before to the degree that they did so last season, and even while at the moment the expectation of tanking is far less than it was in February, the results are expected to be somewhat similar. But beyond even that, the team hasn’t had the kind of potential superstar scoring talent at only the age of 20 that they have in Devin Booker since Amare Stoudemire in 2004. Add in newly drafted Josh Jackson to go along with 2016 lottery picks of Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss and this franchise has more young talent to be excited about as they enter 2017-18 than they have ever had before.

More from Valley of the Suns

The Young Suns open the regular season at home against Portland (remember what happened the first time those two teams met in Phoenix last season??), then face off against the Lonzo Ball-led Lakers a night later in Lonzo’s second ever game, and first ever road game. (Is it just a coincidence that LeBron James’ second ever game was also a road game in Phoenix?)

Aside from the schedule we discussed Josh Jackson’s height, continued the discussion of the new unis (they are fire – hence the glasses), and much more!

Join us every Monday evening at 6pm AZ for Valley of the Suns Live! on both Twitter and Periscope! We do this for you!