9 observations from the Phoenix Suns’ open practice
Injuries are stacking up
For not playing any games yet, the Phoenix Suns’ official injury report is extensive. Mikal Bridges (knee), Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand), Aron Baynes (nose), and David Kramer (shin) are all dealing with different levels of ailments.
While Bridges, Oubre, and Kramer all took part in light drills, Aron Baynes and his fractured nose were nowhere to be found.
One can only hope this means Baynes is getting fitted for a mask in make his already menacing appearance even more intimidating.
The team says they will all be reevaluated soon but didn’t give a clear time table for anyone’s return. From participation in open practice, Oubre looks to be the closest to coming back.
Who wears short shorts? Kelly Oubre Jr. wears short shorts
Because I’m not a toddler, I am old enough to remember when short shorts were not cool. In fact, some basketball shorts during the 2010 timeframe were so long they looked like Amish dresses.
That has all changed seemingly overnight, and like most things trendy and cool, Kelly Oubre Jr. is ahead of the curve. Nike is already making their shorts land above the knee now, but that is not good enough for Oubre, evidently.
The flashy wing rolled up the bottom of this shorts to make them even shorter. If nothing else, it is an excellent way to show off his leg sleeve.
Is that still what you call it when it when someone has tattoos all down their leg? A leg sleeve?
Oh well. You do you, Kelly.
The team didn’t scrimmage
The one downside to the event was the lack of a scrimmage. The team went through some offensive sets that included a lot of cuts and motion. However, that was as close as fans got to seeing any real gameplay.
Previous years’ open practices have featured scrimmages, but not today. Several fans grumbled about this omission on their way out of the arena, and they’re not wrong.
A brief 5-on-5 drill would have been the icing on the cake for fans to get a preview of what to expect from this year’s team.
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Instead, they’ll have to wait until the Phoenix Suns take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first preseason game on Tuesday.