Suns Fall to No. 14 in ESPN's Watchability/Fun Rankings
In this story:
The Phoenix Suns have a few things going for them.
Starts such as Chris Paul and Devin Booker are one of the league's best backcourts when on the floor together.
Phoenix's success these last two years have have brought them to the national spotlight, and fun personalities like Mikal Bridges have been displayed for everyone to see.
The slick court. The beautiful uniforms. The Gorilla. It's hard to take your eyes away from a Suns game, all things considered.
That's not the same opinion ESPN's Zach Lowe holds, however.
In his recently compiled watchability/fun rankings, Lowe has the Suns at No. 14.
"Teams are scored 1-10 in five categories," said Lowe.
"ZEITGEIST: When you talk about this team at parties, do people slink away?
"HIGHLIGHT POTENTIAL: Do you linger on games in case a superstar does something amazing?
"STYLE: Where are they on the continuum from "Golden State Warriors beautiful game" to "Julius Randle just took four jab steps and launched an 18-footer"?
"LEAGUE PASS MINUTIA: All the little things that mean too much to damaged die-hards: announcers, court designs, uniforms.
"UNINTENTIONAL COMEDY: Google the Washington Wizards of the early 2010s."
Here's what Lowe offered on Phoenix:
"This is shockingly low for a 64-win team with a layered pick-and-roll attack, potential for drama with Deandre Ayton, and the return of the classic purple sunburst jerseys," said Lowe.
"Phoenix even amped up the pace last season, unusual for a Chris Paul team. Devin Booker is a vintage scorer, with his velvety leaning midranger and a sneaky-nasty post game. He and Paul rain old-school fire. Paul's maximize-every-edge perfectionism can be irritating -- the rip-through is coming the second Phoenix enters the bonus -- but it's what makes him who he is.
"(It also results in on-court disagreements, one of which gave us the iconic fake-laughing meme. That thing transcends basketball. Try it out in your life. It's a great way to end those exchanges of small talk with long-lost high school classmates you don't really like.)
"It is so satisfying when Paul kicks that fastidiousness and decides to preen -- showing off fancy yo-yo dribbles, or nutmegging someone just because he feels like embarrassing them.
"The young guys will stretch themselves; Cameron Johnson piled up 20-plus-point games last season, and Mikal Bridges has dabbled with quick-hitting duck-ins. (Bridges' defense is a show. He envelopes people -- the rare wing defender so long, he can block his own guy's shot before the ball really escapes the shooter's hand.)
"But we've seen and enjoyed this movie enough for now: Paul and Booker snaking their way to midrangers from the right elbow, the Suns' steadfast defense forcing those same shots on the other end. They are Team Bizarro Shot Selection.
"Monty Williams has to suss out roles for Landry Shamet and Dario Saric. Josh Okogie is an in-your-jersey defender. Kevin Ray and Eddie Johnson have great chemistry on the call."
Thank you for making Inside The Suns your destination for Phoenix Suns news. Please be sure to give us a like on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on Twitter @InsideTheSunsFN for news, updates, analysis and more!
Top Phoenix Suns News
Paul Pierce Says Suns Championship Window is Closed
Suns Center Jock Landale Ready to Leave His Mark
The Athletic Says Take the Over on Phoenix Suns Win Total
Suns SG Devin Booker Odds Sit at +2800 to Win MVP
Suns Not Expected to Pursue Kemba Walker
