The first half against Detroit showed exactly what the Phoenix Suns want to be. They were physical, had active hands, excelled on the offensive glass and in transition, and their second effort and defensive pressure were omnipresent. The Suns looked crisp to start the preseason and it was sure good to see basketball once again.
The second and third units showed the other side of that equation in the second half, where ball security and young players processing the game under pressure are going to come with a learning curve. The execution deteriorated quickly, the turnovers piled up, and the Suns fell into prolonged scoring droughts. Yes, they made a game of it late, because that is what Suns basketball is. They never quit, never succumb, and never stop. It’s part of the culture, and even with players who most likely won’t make the roster, you witnessed it.
In short? The starters built the house, constructing a 19-point lead, and the kids spent the third quarter lighting it on fire. Such is preseason basketball. Such are the ebbs and flows of learning how to play together and adjusting to new roles. Because that’s a significant part of what this preseason is about for many of these players. For somebody like Koa Peat, he’s learning what the NBA game looks like and what the speed feels like, all while trying to understand and embrace a role that is new to him.
So while the Suns walked out of Little Caesars Arena with a loss in their pocket, it’s only a loss if you don’t learn from it. And seeing as this was the first day of school, there’s plenty of opportunity to keep learning. Let’s just avoid the matches, eh?
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Preseason Game 1 against the Pistons. Here are your nominees:
Devin Booker
13 points (4-of-7, 1-of-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, +18 +/-
Dillon Brooks
11 points (4-of-7, 2-of-4 3PT), 2 rebounds, 0 turnovers, +18 +/-
Miles Bridges
8 points (3-of-8, 1-of-3 3PT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +9 +/-
Jordan Goodwin
7 points (3-of-6, 1-of-2 3PT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 turnover, +5 +/-
Collin Gillespie
8 points (3-of-3, 2-of-2 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, +6 +/-
Jalen Green
11 points (3-of-6, 1-of-4 3PT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, +10 +/-
Your first Bright Side Baller vote of the season. So it begins…
