As Phoenix Suns fans, over the past eight years we have not come to expect much. However, even with low expectations, a 3-12 start rightfully has many fans concerned. And yet there are still reasons for fans of the Suns not to fret.
It was only a short month ago, the night of the 17th of October, that the Phoenix Suns were wrapping up a 21-point win over the Dallas Mavericks to start 1-0 on the season.
The month following that night has not included many positive memories.
However the season has not been a complete failure thus far.
We need to remember that of the 11 players who have been given significant minutes in multiple games this year, only four were on the team last season, that is if you include Isaiah Canaan who only appeared in 19 games. After that you are left with only Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, and Josh Jackson after the release of Tyson Chandler.
Not to mention integrating a whole new coaching staff, rookie head coach and offensive system.
Even with that group it is hard to know what Booker’s confidence level with the offense and getting acclimated with new teammates is at this point in the year.
Booker started 2018-19 with no training camp and no preseason, still with tape on his hand from the surgery he had the month before, even with that going against him he started the season very strong.
Then, just four games in, he suffered a hamstring injury that took him out for three more games, which is why it is even harder to judge a bad start when your star player has been in and out of the lineup and may never have played a game without being bothered by one of the two injuries.
Although the Suns have had their fair share of home games up to this point, it is not as if their schedule is doing them any favors.
Of their 15 games, only two have come against teams that are below five hundred (Nets and Mavericks), though they are in the difficult Western Conference this is something that will improve regardless of how the Suns perform.
Another positive note is that some of the least productive players so far this year in Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, and Canaan, are not key pieces for the Suns future.
At least, outside of Josh Jackson, most of the young guys have played well.
So even though it may look like everything is already crashing down again this year there is reason for hope, and to believe that things will begin to pick up later on in the year.