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NBA Thanksgiving: What Every Team Has To Be Thankful For, Part 2

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 7, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the court prior to action against the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the court prior to action against the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) celebrates after scoring in front of Orlando Magic forward Jeff Green (34) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Phoenix Suns: Youth

Expectations for the Phoenix Suns were low entering 2016-17, and so far under head coach Earl Watson, there’s been a greater emphasis on building a sense of family and culture than on the actual X’s, O’s or results.

That’s not the end of the world though, since Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Alex Len, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis — the future benchmarks of the Suns — are all 23 years or younger. Phoenix’s veterans aren’t talented enough to win games, but they’re useful enough to help the young ones learn the game as they struggle through the expected growing pains.

Related Story: Phoenix Suns: 5 Early Season Takeaways

As long as Watson stops forgetting to play Bender, continues giving Len opportunities and creates some easier looks for Booker that aren’t just one-on-one isolations, the Suns will be content to take their lumps as they await a brighter future centered around the young guns.