13 questions about the Phoenix Suns playing in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JANUARY 14: Devin Booker of Phoenix Suns takes a breath during the match between San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on January 14, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent via Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JANUARY 14: Devin Booker of Phoenix Suns takes a breath during the match between San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on January 14, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent via Getty Images) /
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For the second time in three seasons, the Phoenix Suns play a regular season game in Mexico City. We have so many questions.

The Phoenix Suns are getting their international flare on this weekend as they descend upon Mexico City, Mexico to battle the San Antonio Spurs in what is, on paper, a “home” game.

This leads people to wonder lots of things. Let’s go through a Q&A:

Q: Why are they doing this?

That is a great question, because on the surface, it seems…weird. At best. But the NBA does this kind of thing from time to time. They call it the NBA Global Games, or something like that. The marketing surrounding it changes.

The League is a world-wide product, so they often take their product worldwide. They have already played a couple preseason games games this year in India and China. Remember the whole thing with China?

Q: What was the whole thing with China?

Google it. I don’t want Valley of the Suns to be banned in Beijing.

Q: Is anyone else playing in Mexico this year?

Yep. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Detroit Pistons the other day in a game when *the player we shall not speak of* had a 40 point triple double.

Q: Who…oh. You mean Luka Doncic, don’t you?

Shhhh. You’ll upset the natives.

Q: Have the Suns ever done this before?

Yeah, lots of times. Two years ago, they played the Mavericks and the Spurs in Mexico City. In fact, they actually played the NBA’s first ever international regular season game in Tokyo, Japan back in 1990 in a two-game series against the Utah Jazz.

The Suns also played the NBA’s first ever international preseason game when they took on the New Jersey Nets in Milan, Italy way back in 1984.

All time, the Phoenix Suns are 1-4 in international preseason games and 2-2 in the regular season.

Q: You just Wikipedia’d that did you?

Yes. Obviously.

Q: The Suns, Mavericks, and Spurs seem to play in Mexico a lot lately. How come?

Probably because their cities have large Latino populations. Mucho Español speakers. Also because there will likely be more people show up to watch these teams in Mexico City than there would be in their own arenas.

Q: Is there nothing else to do in Mexico City?

Of course. Mexico City is huge. Like, really huge. It contains nearly 9 million people, more than New York City. In fact…well I’ll just stop here. You already know where this is coming from.

Q: Wikipedia again?

Wikivoyage, actually.

Q: When do the Suns arrive in Mexico City?

They are already there. They hope to get some good bonding time in and put on a show for the fans. Here is a tweet full of pictures of them practicing:

https://twitter.com/lossuns/status/1205616411164332034?s=20

Q: Are they going to wear their Los Suns jerseys for the game?

They are actually called the Los Suns Noche City Edition Uniforms and, yes, they are.

Q: Why doesn’t it say “Los Soles”? That’s Spanish for “Suns,” right?

Yeah, I don’t know, man. Probably because it’s a proper name or something.

Q: I’m starting to wonder how much you really know about all this.

Dude, that isn’t even a question. This Q&A session is over. Just watch the game and enjoy it.

Why isn't Tyler Johnson playing for the Suns?. dark. Next

It is one the Suns should win.