Center of the Sun: Suns Start the Season 0-4

Well it's been a rough start to the season for the Suns. Four games, four losses. The first loss to the Kings was ugly but in the losses to OKC and the Warriors we saw the Suns play hard and keep those games close until the end. While they were still losses, they were at least entertaining losses. The loss to the Clippers was kind of a mix. The Suns played them even in the 1st and 3rd quarters but let the game slip away in the 2nd and 4th.

Game Recaps

vs Sacramento Kings - L (113-94) Full Recap

@ Oklahoma City Thunder - L (113-110) Full Recap

vs Golden State Warriors - L (106-100) Full Recap

@ Los Angeles Clippers - L (116-98) Full Recap

It's looking as though we're going to have a long season ahead, Suns fans, but if they can get back to and maintain the effort that we saw in the OKC and GS games then we should see some wins fairly soon.

Key Stat

MPG - 35.6, PPG - 21.2, RPG - 6.0, APG - 1.0, SPG - 1.8, BPG - 0.2

Those stats belong to TJ Warren. Warren has shown that he didn't just get the starting SF spot by default because of PJ Tucker's back surgery. He's leading the team in points, minutes and steals per game and is also tied for second in rebounding. No one ever questioned his offensive ability but he's been putting good effort into defense and going after rebounds too. The starting SF spot is now his.

Quote of the Week

"Win or lose we’re going to stick together. We’re one unit, one family.”" - Devin Booker

Rookie Watch

Marquese Chriss - 16.1 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Dragan Bender - 7.4 MPG, 2.5 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Tyler Ulis - 8.4 MPG, 2.0 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG

All stats courtesy of Real GM.

News & Notes

As everyone surely knows by now, the Suns waived Archie Goodwin on the day that NBA teams had to reduce their rosters to a maximum of 15 players. So long and good luck, Archie.

Al McCoy The “Voice of the Suns” to be inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor.

As expected, the Suns exercise 2017-18 options on Booker and Warren.

Big contributions by Suns rookies on opening night.

Is Devin Booker the next Steph Curry type NBA Phenom? Forbes

Devin Booker turns 20!

Bright Side Night still is coming! Help send some deserving kids to their first Suns game against the Pelicans on December 11th.

Wild & Crazy Trade Rumors

Here is one that I found in the past week. It is supplied simply for the sake of entertainment, not news.

Sixers/Lakers/Suns trade??? The Inquisitr

This one has the Suns sending Brandon Knight and Dragan Bender to the Sixers who would send Nerlens Noel, Lou Williams and the Lakers pick that they acquired from us as part of the Knight trade back to us while the Lakers would get Ben Simmons and also send Brandon Ingram back to the Sixers. While we would all like to get that Lakers’ pick back, don’t count on this one happening.

Previewing the Week Ahead

Wednesday, November 2nd vs Portland Trail Blazers

Friday, November 4th @ New Orleans Pelicans

Sunday, November 6th @ Los Angeles Lakers

This week starts off at home where the Suns will square off against Portland. This is a team that they supposedly modeled their offense on so it should be an interesting game. They are off to a good start this season (2-1) but I think that the Suns will have a chance in this one if they play as hard as they did in the OKC and GS games since it's a home game.

The next game against the Pelicans in New Orleans is another shot for a win for the Suns. Anthony Davis will make whoever is trying to guard him look bad but the Suns should be able to win in the guards and SF matchups. How well they win those will determine the outcome. New Orleans is also 0-3 but I give them a slight edge because they are playing at home... and they have AD.

For the final game of the week, the Suns travel to Los Angeles to play the Lakers. The Lakers are 1-3 and I'm picking the Suns to win just because losing to the Lakers is unthinkable... and I think that the Suns are the better team.

Will the Suns get their first win this week? I think so. I also think that they have a good shot of going 2-1 during this three game stretch.

How do you think the Suns will fare this week?