Breaking: Key star player does unexpected favor for former team

August 17, 2024 Kerry Will NBA 0

The NBA unveiled its 2024-25 schedule on Thursday, highlighting the Phoenix Suns prominently. They will appear on national television twice during an exciting Opening Week and face one superstar four times in October.

Following the impressive performances of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant with Team USA in Paris, where they played crucial roles in securing the gold medal, it’s no surprise that fans are eager to see them play frequently. Durant is looking as sharp as ever, while Booker has demonstrated that he can compete with the best in the league.

Don’t overlook Bradley Beal, their third star who just did a favor for the Washington Wizards.

Beal played only 53 regular-season games in his first season with the Suns, and it’s fair to say he is no longer the star attraction he once was. At 31 years old, the emergence of a new generation of exciting superstars means Beal is unlikely to earn another All-Star selection.

His former team, the Wizards, is also struggling and will likely find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference once again. With players like Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma on the roster, this team is more likely to be featured on TikTok than in traditional sports highlights. However, credit goes to their front office for making efforts to improve the team.

Beal has provided one final farewell gift over a year after leaving Washington, as the Suns and Wizards are set to face off in a nationally televised game on January 16th. The significance of this matchup lies in the fact that, aside from NBA TV broadcasts, this will be the only opportunity for casual fans to see the Wizards play.

The league seems to believe that Beal’s return to likely dominate his former team is worth tuning in for, although it may not generate the same excitement as LeBron James’ return to Cleveland during his first year with the Miami Heat, when he decisively defeated the Cavaliers. There may be anticipation of a strong reaction to Beal, whether positive or negative.

However, a look at Wizards’ social media reveals a general sense of indifference towards Beal. Fans acknowledge his past contributions but seem ready to move on, expecting a tribute video and then continuing with their lives. With the Wizards struggling, it could be a long time before casual fans see them again, so they need to make the most of this televised opportunity.

Suns schedule: Phoenix features heavily across 2024-25 Opening Week.

On Thursday, the NBA continued to unveil details about the upcoming season, releasing the schedule for Opening Week. This follows the announcement of the Emirates NBA Cup fixtures, which include both highly anticipated matchups and some that are less exciting.

It’s no surprise that a roster featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and even Bradley Beal would be part of those initial games. The league revolves around star power, and the Suns have two of the brightest stars in the game. Following their successful run in the Olympics in Paris, Booker’s popularity is at an all-time high, and Durant is also performing exceptionally well.

We now know that the Suns will be on our national TV screens twice, in an enticing couple of matchups.

Interestingly, both of these games will take place not just outside of Arizona, but in Los Angeles. The Suns will first face the L.A. Clippers on October 23rd in their new arena, followed by a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 25th.

If the Suns want to start the season strong, they will have to do it the hard way. This isn’t just because the Clippers will be eager to prove themselves after losing Paul George this summer, or because Anthony Davis and LeBron James always elevate their game against a key rival like the Suns.

They will also have to contend with the distractions of L.A. nightlife, which could take valuable time away from their preparations if the team stays in the city between games. The temptation might be to think that since it’s the beginning of the season, it would be beneficial for the Suns to bond off the court, regardless of the outcomes on the court.

The Suns had a rocky start to the 2023-24 season, going 2-4 which included losses to the Spurs and Lakers. While they would eventually recover to win 49 games, Frank Vogel’s tenure as head coach was considered underwhelming.

New head coach Mike Budenholzer will aim to get the team off to a strong start this season. Opening Week matchups against the Clippers and Lakers in Los Angeles will set an important tone for the long season ahead. However, the most significant takeaway is that the Suns will be featured on national television twice in the first four days, which is well-deserved recognition for the franchise.

Grading the interest levels of each Phoenix Suns NBA Cup game.

The NBA officially announced the schedule for this year’s Emirates NBA Cup last week, and the Phoenix Suns can expect to face some familiar opponents as they aim to secure their first trophy. The tournament, now sporting a new name, retains the same format as the previous in-season tournament.

After a summer spent winning a gold medal with Team USA, it’s uncertain how much Kevin Durant and Devin Booker will prioritize this tournament. Ultimately, their legacy will be measured by whether they can lift the Larry O’Brien trophy at least once, rather than how many cups they win together.

Fans should still be excited though, because there are some fun matchups to look forward to.

If the Suns can successfully navigate these four challenging games and finish at the top of their group, they will then face three elimination games for a chance at victory. The semifinals and finals will be held in Las Vegas in December, with the Los Angeles Lakers having won the inaugural tournament by defeating the Indiana Pacers last time.

4. Utah Jazz – Tuesday November 12th.

It’s tough to make this matchup sound exciting, but fortunately, the game between the Suns and the Jazz is the first of the four group play games. This gives the Suns a chance to secure an early win and focus on the rest of the competition.

The Jazz are currently in rebuild mode, and even with Lauri Markkanen still on the team, this matchup is the least thrilling. Since these two teams faced each other in group play last season, there’s no novelty in the matchup.

The good news for the Suns is that this game will be played away from home, so they won’t have to worry about generating excitement or ticket sales. In the 2023-24 season, the Suns swept the regular series against the Jazz, winning all four games, including a double-overtime clash in November, which was the highlight of their encounters.

Predicting the Phoenix Suns’ starting lineup on opening night.

 

The Phoenix Suns have generated positive momentum this offseason, which is encouraging given their disappointing end to last season. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant’s standout performances at the Olympics, where they started and closed out the crucial games, have contributed greatly to this upbeat atmosphere.

Not to be outdone by their star players, the Suns’ front office has made impactful moves, hiring championship-winning coach Mike Budenholzer and adding capable role players like Mason Plumlee and Tyus Jones. With two promising rookies joining the team, the Suns have impressively reshaped the back end of their roster as well.

Which makes the question of which five players will start the 2024-25 season a difficult one.

The Suns’ depth issues last season, beyond stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, contributed to their first-round playoff sweep by the Timberwolves. While it’s a good problem to have so much talent, new coach Mike Budenholzer has work to do in establishing a pecking order and starting lineup.

However, the situation can change as the season progresses, as evidenced by Josh Okogie starting early last season and playing well, despite not being projected to start this year.

Looking at the projected 2024-25 starting lineup:

Center: Jusuf Nurkic.

Nurkic, acquired via trade from the Trail Blazers, is slated to start at center. He provides size and defensive presence in the middle.

Power Forward: Kevin Durant.

Superstar Kevin Durant, obtained in a February 2023 trade, will start at power forward. His scoring, playmaking and all-around game make him one of the league’s best players.

Small Forward: Grayson Allen.

Grayson Allen, who signed a 4-year, $70 million extension in April, is penciled in as the starting small forward. His 3-and-D skills complement the Suns’ stars well.

Shooting Guard: Devin Booker.

Devin Booker, the face of the franchise, will start at shooting guard. The 5-time All-Star is an elite scorer and playmaker.

Point Guard: Bradley Beal.

Bradley Beal, acquired via trade from the Wizards last offseason, will run the point. His scoring punch and playmaking ability form a dynamic backcourt with Booker.

While this is the projected opening night lineup, Budenholzer has flexibility with the deep roster to adjust as needed throughout the season. The Suns have high expectations after last year’s early playoff exit.

Despite the new additions to the Phoenix Suns this summer, center Jusuf Nurkic’s position remains secure—for now. He has his shortcomings, some of which were glaringly exposed during the playoffs against the Timberwolves, but Nurkic fulfills his role effectively for the team.

He excels at passing out of the post, setting screens, and moving without the ball, all while rarely having plays called for him, as he diligently rebounds on both ends. Although the acquisition of 34-year-old Mason Plumlee was a nice addition, it’s unlikely he will be able to match Nurkic’s contributions while playing 25-30 minutes per game.

Coach Budenholzer recognizes the significance of his big man, having already traveled abroad to visit Nurkic this summer. Fans may be reluctant to admit it, but Nurkic is currently the best option for the Suns by a considerable margin.

While he may limit the team’s overall potential, the hope is that the talents of Booker and Durant can help overcome any limitations. An interesting possibility to consider is whether a trade opportunity for Nurkic might arise as the season unfolds. With him entering the second-to-last year of his contract, he appears to be a good fit for several other teams in the league.

Phoenix Suns’ NBA Cup schedule: Path to Vegas just got much harder.

The Phoenix Suns had a disappointing experience in last season’s inaugural NBA Cup, losing to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in a controversial matchup. The Lakers managed to salvage their underwhelming season by claiming some hardware, while the Suns’ wait for their first trophy continues.

Unfortunately, the Suns’ path to success in this year’s rebranded Emirates NBA Cup, formerly known as the in-season tournament, appears challenging based on their group stage opponents:

Phoenix Suns 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Schedule.

Tuesday, November 12th: at Utah Jazz (7pm MST)

Friday, November 15th: at Oklahoma City Thunder (6pm MST)
Tuesday, November 26th: vs Los Angeles Lakers (8pm MST – live on TNT)
Tuesday, December 3rd: vs San Antonio Spurs (7pm MST)

The Suns will have an immediate opportunity to avenge their loss to the Lakers, while facing the Jazz for the second straight year. The Jazz are in rebuild mode, so the Suns should theoretically pick up a win there.

The in-season tournament has been rebranded as the Emirates NBA Cup, likely due to the successful inaugural edition that generated significant interest. Emirates, an experienced sponsor of major sports competitions, has lent its name to the revamped tournament.

The Suns’ lone nationally televised Emirates NBA Cup game will be against the Lakers on November 26th. While intriguing, it’s surprising the matchup against the Thunder, who secured the West’s top seed last season and boast a top-10 player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, didn’t warrant national coverage. The Spurs, led by potential No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama, could have also been a compelling national TV choice.

If the Suns advance from their group, they’ll enter a single-elimination tournament, with the semifinals and final taking place in Las Vegas from December 10-17. Winning the Emirates NBA Cup would be a historic first for the Suns, but their group stage opponents make that a challenging proposition.

 

It’s a bit surprising that the only nationally televised game for the Suns is against the Lakers. Anytime LeBron James and Kevin Durant face off, it’s worth tuning in, especially since Devin Booker just had an outstanding summer in Paris. However, a matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder also seems deserving of national coverage.

The Thunder secured the top seed in the Western Conference last season and feature a top-10 player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Even if the smaller market Thunder may not generate much excitement, the San Antonio Spurs and their star Victor Wembanyama certainly should. Despite winning only 22 games last season, the Spurs notably defeated the Suns in back-to-back games, pushing Phoenix below .500 early in November.

What will happen if the Suns advance past the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup group play.

If the Suns finish at the top of their group or are among the two best second-place teams, they will enter a single-elimination tournament. As seen in the Olympic Games, these types of contests can be highly unpredictable and entertaining. Last season, it was enjoyable to watch the Indiana Pacers make it to the finals for this reason.

If they can get past the quarter-finals, the final four teams will head to Las Vegas for the semifinals, scheduled for December 10th and 11th, followed by the championship game on December 17th. The Suns will have seven games standing between them and their first-ever trophy. While it may sound straightforward, the journey will likely be anything but easy.

 

 

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