7 quick-hitting reasons from the season opener to hop on the Phoenix Suns bandwagon
By Ian Milliman
The Sacramento Kings came into the Valley with a bright future in front of them. Unfortunately for them, the Phoenix Suns were brighter.
You always go into opening day with optimism. Even as a Phoenix Suns fan, you still allow yourself that, despite yourself. In recent years, this optimism has been quickly displaced, beaten out of fans by the business end of bad play, weak players, and poor team management, until all that is left is self-loathing and dread.
And with one game into the 2019/20 season, all that seems a distant memory.
Is it to early to proclaim this team a success?
Maybe.
Okay, yes, most definitely. But hope and optimism should never be frowned upon. You should never have to apologize for a sunny disposition. Pun intended.
And with that, let’s look back on some of the brighter takeaways from yesterday’s blowout win against the Kings so Suns fans can look forward to an even brighter future.
Defense: are they doing this in the Valley now?
This was the best defensive game I’ve seen the Suns play since Ayton went mano-a-mano against the Greek Freak. It was even better than that. They kept the Kings under 100 points, holding them to under 40% from the field and causing 27 turnovers. It is a strange new world.
The ball was moving, man
The ball was moving. In the first quarter alone, the Phoenix Suns had 9 assists on 11 made buckets. This is what I call The Rubio Effect. And it is glorious. It is amazing what one solid play-making guard can do for the vibe of a team.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is must-see TV
Every time Kelly Oubre Jr. touches the ball is must-see basketball. He gives up his body for the spectacular play and for the team, then gives us three random push-ups, because he can. He is poetry, and the tape that holds this team together.
The whole arena was into it
Whenever Trevor Ariza touched the ball, he was showered with a chorus of heavenly boos. It was merciless and it was beautiful. This is important. Not just because Ariza deserves to be booed (he does), but because the crown was in it. A good crowd makes the all the difference. A good crowd lifts all boats.
So many open 3’s
So many. They didn’t all fall; Saric and Frank the Tank missed a few gimmes, but just the fact that they were there was the important thing. It frees up professional shot maker Devin Booker just a little more. Not that he needs it.
Aron Baynes might be a lumberjack
Aron Baynes always looks like he just came in from cutting wood. He chopped a few trees on the court as well.
All hail EJ
Eddie Johnson is the second best commentator in the game. The first of course is Walt “Clyde” Frazier, but Double D is not far behind. Here are a few of gems from tonight’s game:
After Oubre Jr. busted out three quick push-ups, EJ said that he did that before the game. One-handers, with his eyes closed. When asked why with his eye’s closed he said, “Because I’m scared. I don’t want to see my arm fall off.”
Richaun Holmes fouls then asks the ref for an explanation on why it was a foul. “Holmes wants an explanation,” said Eddie. “The explanation is because it’s a foul.”
On playing with Rubio: “If you move you‘ll get the easiest deuce you’ll ever get.” Yes, he said that. It won the night.
It is a good time to be a Suns fan. Let’s hope there’s more from where that came from. Hop on the bandwagon while there is still room.