Phoenix Suns: 5 Takeaways From 2016-17 Media Day
5. Chemistry Should Be Better
On Media Day, every NBA team can spew out cliches about how great the team chemistry is and how the playoffs are within reach.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for the Suns either; last year, everyone showing up for early August workouts was supposed to give Phoenix the inside edge toward making the playoffs, despite that giant Markieff Morris storm cloud looming over everything.
But after months of bonding for coach Watson and a similar core of guys — bolstered by three young rookies ready to learn and veterans like Jared Dudley and Leandro Barbosa — the Suns may actually have a legitimate reason to believe the chemistry will be better this time.
"“It’s a combination of love and honesty and toughness and I think (and I hope) that will manifest itself in the way our team plays,” general manager Ryan McDonough said of Watson’s influence. “Really he’s created a powerful movement with the energy and the culture we’re trying to build here.”"
Over the summer, the Suns were pretty much always together, participating in bonding activities that ranged from yoga to spin class to swimming to hiking. Eric Bledsoe organized team workouts in San Diego and there was a strong presence in Las Vegas to support the Summer League squad too.
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“When it comes to chemistry, coach Watson — probably more so than any coach I’ve had — is improving the family aspect,” Dudley said.
Listen to Watson speak on the Suns and their future for more than two minutes and you’ll hear words like “love,” “family,” “culture” and “program” brandied about — unconventional words to describe an NBA organization.
But now that Watson is the full-time head coach, he and the front office have been working hard to make sure this young team becomes something of a brotherhood. At the very least, not having the Markieff Morris drama hanging over their heads is a major difference from last year’s team.
"“I know the last couple years have been tumultuous in the offseason, this year it was all focused on basketball,” McDonough said. “Every conversation we had was about work on the court, in the weight room, game-planning and obviously that’s refreshing instead of dealing with some of the nonsense we’ve dealt with in years past.”"