3 Suns players whose stock went up after first preseason game
By Justin Lee
![MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 26: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at Fiserv Forum on February 26, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 26: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at Fiserv Forum on February 26, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/01818732066ae6aa18c8ae231345340f7d1e92622316407a71f9267df0196f34.jpg)
The Phoenix Suns are back, and so are their winning ways, as they beat the Detroit Pistons in the first preseason game of the year for both teams. Basketball is back, and it felt so good.
It also felt good to watch the Suns’ big three go to work together, and they fit in seamlessly. The guys we knew would show up showed up. Kevin Durant displayed elite shot-making like he usually does, where he had several shots that were heavily contested, but nothing the defender could do about it.
Devon Booker handled the all a bit and played point guard, something we knew would happen, while also finding a way to get to his spots. That’s exactly what you want to see, too. And Bradley Beal, the one guy we weren’t as sure about, also gave us a glimpse into what we could see in the 2023-24 season.
Beal is also one of those elite shotmakers, something every team needs; the Suns just so happen to have three of them. Beal was active on defense and the boards, pulling down four of them to help the new Suns’ big man, Jusuf Nurkic, who was in foul trouble. Not to mention, we got a little glimpse of how Fran Vogel will be as a coach this season.
Everything went well. Even some of the guys off the bench played lights out. Some Suns’ players’ stock went up after the first preseason game of the year.