The Phoenix Suns are kicking off their 59th season tonight in Portland, and the word on the street, or at least from the Bright Side roundtable, is a 47-35 record, landing them the sixth seed in the Western Conference. That prediction isn’t just some random shot in the dark, either. It is a solid two games better than last season, and the reasons for that jump are absolutely justifiable for a squad that’s chasing a championship, something Phoenix has never seen.
Fresh Faces and Firepower: Why This Roster Is Built Different
Forget tempering expectations. This starting unit? It’s straight up better than what we saw last year. A huge reason for that boost is Royce O’Neale being out of the rotation, with Miles Bridges stepping in to replace him. That’s a net positive, no doubt about it. We are talking about a serious upgrade there. Sure, Mark Williams is going to be sidelined for most of the season, and yeah, that’s a tough blow. But here’s the kicker: Phoenix has a couple of young bigs ready to step up behind him. They can offer different looks and options, so honestly, the starting unit isn’t something to lose sleep over. This team has more firepower from the jump, and that alone could be the difference maker in close games.
Deep Bench, Deeper Hopes: Health Is The Game Changer For This Squad
And what about the second unit, you ask? Man, I hear there are plenty of firecrackers in that group, and they’re bringing the kind of intensity that Suns basketball has become known for. They’ve got more depth than they did a year ago, which is huge. That comes from continued player development and the sheer continuity of keeping a lot of this roster together. But perhaps the biggest, most crucial reason this team is expected to win more games? Health. So many people love to point to that brutal 14-16 run over the final 30 games of last season as proof that we should all dial back our excitement. But how many of those folks actually acknowledge how unbelievably injured the team was during that stretch? Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and Mark Williams were all out, missing time when it mattered most. If this squad can stay healthy, we are talking about a completely different beast.
Tonight’s game in Portland isn’t just another tip-off; it is the first step on a journey that the fans hope ends with that elusive championship. Can they hit that 47-win mark and make some real noise? We’re all locked in to find out as season number 59 gets rolling.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bright Side of the Sun.
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