Guards Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe led the Phoenix Suns to a 48-34 record last season, surpassing expectations and taking the NBA by storm.
Last year, the Phoenix Suns and first-year head coach Jeff Hornacek shocked the nation after finishing ninth place in the Western Conference when many NBA analysts predicted they would tank.
What does this year’s squad have in store for us?
What we know for sure is that the Suns will have depth and talent at the guard position. Goran Dragic was a candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award last season and Eric Bledsoe, despite missing a large chunk of the season to a knee injury, agreed to a long-term extension with the team after a very long free agency standoff. Phoenix also brought in former Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas to play a sixth man role, drafted Syracuse point guard Tyler Ennis in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft, and signed Dragic’s brother Zoran to a two-year contract. With Hornacek’s fast-paced offense in place, it will be important for the Suns to stay healthy in the backcourt. Look for this group to excel this season.
In the frontcourt, forward P.J. Tucker and twin brothers Markieff and Marcus Morris received contract extensions after playing very well last season, Markieff was in contention for last year’s Sixth Man of the Year Award after posting career-highs in points, rebounds, minutes, and field goal percentage. Miles Plumlee was another Sun who had a breakout season last year. He posted 8.1 points and 7.8 rebounds a game last season and earned himself a spot in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge during all-star weekend. The team lost veteran center Channing Frye to free agency, but his production will likely be matched by former Charlotte forward Anthony Tolliver, who shot 41.3% from three-point range last season. Add former NC State standout T.J. Warren into the mix and the Suns could be very formidable at both the small forward and power forward positions. 2013 first-round pick Alex Len received minimal playing time due to injury and on-court struggles, but look for the former Maryland stud to bounce back and contribute in 2014.
Overall, Phoenix is young, deep, and extremely talented. With Bledsoe back in the fold, the Suns’ chances of reaching the postseason for the first time since the 2009-10 season are very high. Phoenix was 28-15 when he played last year, but without him, the team was just 20-19.
When healthy, Bledsoe can do it all. He can score, pass, rebound and defend, and at age 24, he has the potential to become one of the league’s brightest stars. However, injuries have plagued him throughout his young career. If he is able to remain on the court and away from the medical staff, look for Phoenix to complete for the fifth through eighth playoff seeds in the West. If not, the Suns will likely see the back end of the lottery board for the second straight season.
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