What would make 2018-19 a success for the Phoenix Suns

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 20: Phoenix Suns Forward Josh Jackson (20) is all smiles before an NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 20, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 20: Phoenix Suns Forward Josh Jackson (20) is all smiles before an NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 20, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 24: Tyler Ulis #8 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns look on from the bench during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 24, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 116-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 24: Tyler Ulis #8 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns look on from the bench during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 24, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 116-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. The Phoenix Suns are competitive and aren’t blown out – as much as last season

While making the playoffs would be an easy answer to this discussion, there have to be silver linings when keeping a perspective on the situation.

The Phoenix Suns are not likely to be good enough to make a solid playoff run, but there should be a number of things that will make fans happy with the year nonetheless.

The biggest team-wide solution: don’t get blown out – quite as much.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

Last season, 16 of the franchise’s 61 losses were by 20 points or more. 40 were by double-digits, meaning they were likely out of each loss well by the fourth quarter.

It is one thing to watch a team lose but remain competitive throughout the game. The core of the roster is still very young and inexperienced, so mistakes will be made. But lessons will also be learned – they must.

In the meantime, if they’re going to lose, lose with dignity, something that is not possible when being blown out by 25-50 points.

I certainly still expect a couple of blowouts at the hands of Houston, Golden State, and possibly the Celtics (although not by 40+ points), but the majority of the rest of the league should be low enough on the talent-totem pole to never have the ability to totally blow Phoenix out of the water – and that includes the now LeBron-led L.A. Lakers.

Even if Phoenix finished 32-50 this season (a legit possibility), but they are blown out of games only a minimal number of times instead showing that they are growing in competitiveness and only need experience to figure out how to finally pull themselves over the hump, there is no doubt that this season will have been deemed a success.