The Phoenix Suns raised a few eyebrows trading away an unprotected first-round pick for Miles Bridges this offseason. Yet, he wouldn't be the first person with Michigan ties to come to The Valley under heavy scrutiny, only to quickly silence the doubters. In fact, there are several.
Offensive firepower means Bridges can quickly prove worth
The Suns now boast four presumed starters (and that doesn't even include the now inactive Mark Williams) who have all averaged over 20 points per game either last season or the one before, while Bridges is a clear offensive upgrade over previous starter Royce O'Neale.
Phoenix sat at a lowly 18th in points scored each night last season (114.2, alongside the anemic Orlando Magic), and Bridges is going to help in that department right away. The Suns haven't had an elite scoring forward since Kevin Durant left town, and Bridges is going to surprise with how quickly he piles up points for his new team.
That would make him the latest with Michigan State ties to have played for the Spartans to come to Phoenix and quickly exceed expectations. Owner Mat Ishbia started the trend when he bought the organization, lowering concession prices at the arena and making the team more accessible to watch in Arizona than ever before.
Trading for Durant took courage, and he has never been afraid to chase a star or oversee a bold move. He is one of the better owners in the league.
General Manager Brian Gregory arrived with even more question marks around him, having never had that role before, but he ditched that "Michigan Guy" hire in no time at all. Then there was Head Coach Jordan Ott, who followed up two championship-winning veteran coaches in Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer in what was his first top gig in the NBA.
In only one season, he proved that he was the best fit of that trio for this group, and his reputation continues to go from strength to strength. He is one of the best young minds coaching today.
Michigan links will one day fail, but not with Bridges
Ishbia can't keep returning to the Michigan well to fill up roster, coaching, and front office positions in Phoenix because that method will eventually run dry.
But with the Suns down Williams and with Bridges' scoring ability going to help Devin Booker immediately, he is in a great position to succeed. He is a talent upgrade over what the roster had last season, while Coach Ott has proven he can get a top-10 defense out of an eclectic collection of individuals in the past.
If anybody can hide the deficiencies of Bridges on that end of the court, it is him. This puts the former Charlotte Hornet in a brilliant position to be the next Michigan State individual to make the Suns a better franchise on the court.
Add us as a preferred source on Google