Major Takeaways From Suns Start to Preseason
The Phoenix Suns are now 2-1 through three preseason games after last night's 122-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
There have been a bevy of positives and negatives for fans to juggle, but the 2-1 record while mostly playing bench-driven lineups is an extremely positive sign when it comes to the depth of this team compared to last season.
Here are some other things fans can takeaway a week and a half out from the season opener:
Defensive Improvements
Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel has brought a different approach to his new squad.
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Phoenix has appeared to have made strides in coach Frank Vogel's new defensive system through three games in the preseason. Phoenix did an impressive job on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray on Tuesday, and largely performed well after a first quarter performance which ceded 37 points to Portland last night.
Several Suns have acknowledged that it's been an adjustment to get used to Vogel's new system, but it finally seems like the personnel the front office put together is gelling together, and there really aren't any weak links on the defensive end of the ball contrary to popular belief.
Coaching Staff Appears to be More Adept
The Phoenix Suns appear to be more balanced under Vogel.
Coach Vogel has appeared to have struck gold with the new coaching staff. The coaching staff and its ability to develop players was seen as a strong point of Monty Williams' tenure in Phoenix, at least early on.
One of the reasons why the Suns decided to move on from Williams was the inability to build a strong staff outside of top assistant Kevin Young.
Fast forward to today and Phoenix was able to retain Kevin Young on Vogel's staff, along with the additions of experienced basketball minds in Dave Fizdale and Miles Simon.
The new staff appears to have a strong connection with the squad, as Simon was even seen leaving a workout with the team in Los Angeles over the summer.
These coaches having extensive experience in a variety of roles, such as being head coaches, players and even execs has likely given them the ability to be more innovative than the previous staff.
Vogel's seemingly done about everything right thus far in his short tenure, but the staff hires might be the best decisions.
Anticipation for Season is off the Charts
Can Devin Booker lead the Phoenix Suns to a franchise-first NBA title?
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The Suns first home preseason game this season was another official sellout of 17,071 people in attendance. The Suns have two players that were officially in the top 10 of jersey sales (Booker & Durant.) The fever pitch of sheer excitement from fans in a city that's always been a basketball-first one has possibly never been higher.
The surprise run from the Arizona Diamondbacks likely isn't hurting the Suns either. Fans in the valley are as hungry as ever for the city to bring home championships. The well-documented sellout streak is sure to continue all season.
