Tonight is the night! The 129 day wait is Over! As of tonight the Shaq and Kobe 2.0 is in full effect!
Going into the 2018 season, the Phoenix Suns have an average age of around 24, not too bad compared to last years average age of 21.
This season is all about experimenting, whether it’s Igor trying new lineups or James Jones bringing in new players to help out our young assets.
New head coach Igor Kokoskov wants to take around 30 3-point attempts per game. Last year the Suns averaged about 27 per game. As though 2 more attempts doesn’t look important, added up it becomes huge.
The Suns finished with a total of 21 wins last year, locking them up with the number 1 pick.
Sad stat of the day: the Suns haven’t broke 30 wins since the 2014 season.
But this year’s team looks more promising than the Suns teams of the previous three years with the addition of our Number One pick, Deandre Ayton.
Last year’s Phoenix Suns team struggled to spread the floor and move the ball on offense.
This year, expect a way more free-flowing Suns offense. Now that the Suns can spread the floor with a dominant center who can shoot the 3 and a very experienced power forward who can shoot in Ryan Anderson, expect a lot more easier shots for guards, and on top of that the Suns have DEPTH.
WOW HAVE WE BEEN WAITING FOREVER TO SAY THAT!
Whichever way the Suns plan to start their lineup tonight, their bench might remain the same throughout the season.
Incoming rookie Mikal Bridges brings a lot of length to the Suns wings, with an above average 3-point making ability and a lot of promise on finishing around the rim, expect a positive impact from Bridges.
Many people remember the trade between the Suns and the Rockets but forget about the rookie point guard the suns added in the trade, De’Anthony Melton.
Standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 200lbs, De’Anthony Melton has the versatile to be a long-armed big defensive guy that can help out the suns defensive issues from last season.
Melton showed signs of promise in the Suns’ pre-season games against the blazers scoring 10 points in 8 minutes while shooting 2-3 from beyond the arc.
Needless to say, I believe the suns will finish the year with an overall record of 33-49. Not a playoff record, but a significant improvement from last year.