The young talent of the Phoenix Suns have been putting on quite a show this season and playing some very exciting basketball. Beating the New York Knicks 107-105 at Madison Square Garden over the weekend really shows the tenacity this team can muster against any other team in the league. Heck, the Suns beat the San Antonio Spurs 108-105 last week in Mexico! If the Suns intentions are to tank the season away for a few quality draft picks, it isn’t showing up on the court. The players on the team don’t appear to have gotten the message and it is evidenced by their performances in games.
There is a chemistry that is developing progressively over time. It is like a heartbeat and is felt not only by the players, but also by the fans. The Suns are young and athletic and whether they win or lose, when the team goes out on the court, they are out there to play.
Young Phoenix Suns are Getting the Job Done
“When I was in Memphis with coach (Hubie) Brown, we won 50 games with a very young team.” said head coach Earl Watson. “So I don’t believe in the theory that you have to have older players. You have to have talented players. We will have challenges along the way, but the main thing is to stay together as a team. Unity, compassion, and love can get us through any challenge and time.”
As the trade deadline looms just a month away, trade rumors begin to sprout up like weeds in a flower bed. The latest is that the Knicks want small forward P.J. Tucker in a Knickerbockers’ uniform. Ironically, the Suns have just started to gel together as a team. Meddling with team chemistry at this point would only damage the positive direction the Suns have been working so hard to attain. Also, the Knicks want Tucker because of his strong defensive prowess. For the Suns, Tucker is the defense.
Granted, the Suns organization has grown famous for mixing and matching, rolling the dice, and hoping for sevens. Hopefully this time around, Suns owner Robert Sarver and GM Ryan McDonough try a much different, more sensible approach. By keeping the present team together, looking past the free agent market, and concentrating more on upcoming draft picks, it will help solidify the product already on the court. Mixing and matching prolongs a painful, fruitless process that only ends in losses. Chemistry wins games.
Winning games not only improves the confidence of the team, but it also encourages the interest level of the fan-base. Suns fans have supported the team’s sub-par success for too many years. Long gone are the old days of mediocre basketball resulting in a bottom-seeded playoff position and a quick sweep from the post-season. The Suns haven’t seen a playoff bracket for seven straight years, yet, loyal fans continue to support the team. The fans deserve better in return for their high-priced seats, continuous support, and relentless devotion.
Looking Ahead
Up next, the Suns (14-29) are on the road on Sunday to face the number two team in the east, the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors (28-15) have lost their last two games and will be looking for redemption against the Suns. This match up will be star-studded as well as action-packed. Game time is at 4:00pm MST, on FSAZ.
Main Photo
LOS ANGELES, USA – NOVEMBER 06 : Devin Booker of Phoenix Suns gestures during a NBA game between Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns at Staples Center in Los Angeles, USA on November 06, 2016. (Photo by Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
