Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns should be motivated by lack of nationally televised games

By Kyle Manthe

PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 22: Draft pick DeAndre Ayton poses for a portrait at the Post NBA Draft press conference on June 22, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 22: Draft pick DeAndre Ayton poses for a portrait at the Post NBA Draft press conference on June 22, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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On Friday afternoon, the NBA released the full schedule for the 2018-19 season! I believe that there is one detail not in their schedule enough that should be motivating.

It was already known that the Phoenix Suns would open up the season at home versus the Dallas Mavericks on October 18th. Although it may be unusual, could there be a way that a schedule can motivate a team?

I believe that there is one aspect with their schedule that should be a motivating factor for the young Suns.

Although it is something players will not often claim as a motivating factor, they know when their games are on national television.

Unfortunately for the Suns who have been one of the league’s most prolific losers over the past three years, one detail that may be overlooked by fans is the lack of Suns games on national television.

The Phoenix Suns, with Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker, have only have three slated for the year which is less than even last season (excluding NBA TV games for both). These games can give players an edge, motivating them to perform at their best in front of the increased audience.

After it was initially announced that the Suns were taking on Dallas in their season opener on national TV, many anticipated many others following that.

The addition of Ayton who is not a bland number one pick, seeing the attention he attracts on social media, to a roster that includes many other high lottery picks, the excitement should be building. Not to forget too, Devin Booker, who is he league’s reigning 3-point champion and now officially a max contract player who can go off for 40+ on any given night.

Although there is not much the Suns can do to earn more time on the national stage in the regular season, some good can still come from their situation.

Next. The Phoenix Suns should have had a Christmas Day game. dark

The players Suns should feel disrespected by the amount of national game they are going to receive. Players could – and probably will – use that as part of their own motivation to get better.

Especially if they perform well opening night under the big lights, once the young players get a taste of that extra attention, they will never want to be bottom rung of these standings again.

It is a long shot, but we can all hope that the Suns use this motivation, or whatever motivation it takes, to make the playoffs this season. In doing so they will more than double the amount of nationally televised games next year, thus the problem will be solved.

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