The Phoenix Suns had their Media Day on Monday, as Devin Booker and the rest of the gang spoke with reporters. Head coach Earl Watson also took the podium and had encouraging things to say about the direction of the team.
Last year, the Phoenix Suns were at the bottom of the Western Conference for the majority of the 82 games. With a ridiculously young core and some injuries that sidelined others, the talent at times was lacking, to put it lightly.
By the end of the year, it was clear that the Suns were tanking to ensure a top-five pick in the coming NBA Draft, as Eric Bledsoe, and Tyson Chandler were essentially taken off the roster to rest and heal from nagging injuries.
The new mission for the Suns was to have a great draft, have a healthy and productive offseason, and come back into training camp for the 2017-18 season rejuvenated, and ready to make strides forward.
At Media Day, head coach Earl Watson addressed last season, and the new outlook on this upcoming one. He stressed the difference between the focus for last year and the upcoming campaign, per Arizona Sports 98.7 FM:
"“So last season was about development,” Watson said. “Allowing guys to play and opportunities (so) the confidence can grow, the game can grow. This season is about structure. Even though we have a chance to allow Josh [Jackson] to grow and our young guys to grow, it’s about structure."
Watson and the front office in Phoenix have a distinct plan in place, and they are sticking to it for better or worse. The good thing is, is that the messages have been consistent with one another, telling fans that everything is seemingly going according to plan.
One thing that the Suns have going for them heading into this 2017-18 season is that they are all young, fast and athletic. Earl Watson addressed that as well:
"“Very disciplined style of basketball with, you know, 3-point shooting and a fast pace,” he said."
General manager Ryan McDonough chimed in to the same tune of pace, when he told reporters:
"““We’re gonna try to keep that up, or pick up on the pace.”"
For guys on the roster like Devin Booker, Eric Bledsoe, Marquese Chriss and Derrick Jones Jr. that thrive off of getting out and going at a fast pace, hearing these words from the head coach and GM are definitely a positive sign.
Next: Phoenix Suns - 5 Media Day takeaways
The Phoenix Suns were not a team to unveil a new blockbuster player they acquired in a trade or signed in free agency like some other teams, but they did have a positive and productive day in their own right. Earl Watson let Suns fans know that this year is the next step in the ongoing process, which should keep fans optimistic of what is still to come.