Phoenix Suns Media Day 2018

[Superbone]

Well, folks, it's finally here. Phoenix Suns media day is on Monday followed by training camp up in Flagstaff the rest of the week. This thread is for pictures and videos from media day and to talk about what we see and hear.

You can watch it live here Monday starting at 9:00 am PDT:

https://www.nba.com/suns/now

[O_Gardino]

I would normally watch media day live, but this time I'm traveling for work all week and wont have a free minute to spare.

[Superbone]

I would normally watch media day live, but this time I'm traveling for work all week and wont have a free minute to spare.

Bummer! We'll fill you in best we can once you do get a free minute.

[Superbone]

Brightside preseason predictions:

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2018 ... the-season

Might be fun for us to answer their questions as well:

• Ripping the bandaid off quickly now: What’s the worst thing that could happen, the most unpredictably BAD thing that could happen to the Suns out of the gate this season?

• Let’s flip that coin. What’s the most unpredictably, or unexpected anyway, GOOD thing that could happen, where we can’t help but smile at our good fortune?

• Last year, Alex Len was arguably one of the three or four best players on the Suns roster last fall, behind Devin Booker and T.J. Warren. Who will be the Suns best 4 players as of Christmas this year?

• Among Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson and Tyson Chandler, who each have 10+ years experience, who will be the Suns most impactful veteran this year?

• How much does Booker’s injury set the Suns back?

• Do the Suns acquire a starting point guard by opening day? If not, who starts and how long does he stay the starter?

[Superbone]

Duane Rankin appears to be a new Suns reporter for AZ Central. He has some good questions leading into media day and training camp:

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 384602002/

[ShelC]

1) A devastating season ending injury to Booker or Ayton. Other guys getting injured would suck too, but losing either of those two would set us back bigtime.

2) Okobo plays like a veteran, getting 12 and 6 with two 3s in 30mpg

3) 4 Best - Booker, Ayton, Jackson or TJ and Bridges

4) Ariza

5) If he's healthy by the end of training camp, not much. As long as he can run through the plays and learn the offensive nuances, he'll only need to shake some rust off.

6) Can't say. I get the feeling McD will push to make a trade and end up with Beverly.

[Mori Chu]

Brightside preseason predictions:

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2018 ... the-season

Might be fun for us to answer their questions as well:

• Ripping the bandaid off quickly now: What’s the worst thing that could happen, the most unpredictably BAD thing that could happen to the Suns out of the gate this season?

Seems obvious that this is if Booker or Ayton suffered a serious leg-related injury. Knock on wood.

• Let’s flip that coin. What’s the most unpredictably, or unexpected anyway, GOOD thing that could happen, where we can’t help but smile at our good fortune?

Ayton is an absolute beast and we are immediately a relevant team because of his dominant performance. (I don't think that will happen right away, but that's my answer.)

• Last year, Alex Len was arguably one of the three or four best players on the Suns roster last fall, behind Devin Booker and T.J. Warren. Who will be the Suns best 4 players as of Christmas this year?

Top 4: Booker, Ayton, TJ Warren, Trevor Ariza

• Among Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson and Tyson Chandler, who each have 10+ years experience, who will be the Suns most impactful veteran this year?

Ariza by a mile.

• How much does Booker’s injury set the Suns back?

We weren't making the playoffs anyway. Probably costs us 4-5 wins. Oh well. We'll get the #10 draft pick rather than the #13.

• Do the Suns acquire a starting point guard by opening day? If not, who starts and how long does he stay the starter?

Seems like they're working the phones. But I'll vote for inertia and say we don't snag anybody.

Fun questions! Thanks for reposting that.

[Split T]

1. The obvious answer is Booker's injury lingers. But they said unpredictable, so I'll go with Ayton looking like a flop. I don't think it's gonna happen, but if he looks meh and has a rough season, it deflates our season and future quite a bit.

2. Unexpected good thing will be a breakout season from an unexpected player. In order of liklihood:
Bridges - Comes in NBA ready as a shooter/defender. Shoots 40% from 3 and usurps Jackson in the rotation.
Jackson - Shows up with a decent jumpshot, plays under control and looks like a legit #3
Okobo - Proves NBA ready as a shooter and playmaker and takes over the starting PG role.
Harrison - Plays all-nba defense and hits the corner 3 consistently, locking up the PG role.

3. Booker, Ayton, Ariza, Warren

4. Ariza

5. Not much, he misses the first 3 games and then hits the ground running.

6. No vet PG, Canaan gets the opening day start next to Jackson who fills in for Booker

[Nodack]

1. The worst thing that could happen-Their team plane crashes and they all die.

2. Unexpected good thing - Our PG kicks ass.

3. Best 4 guys - Booker, Ayton, Warren and Ariza.

4. Most impactful Veteran - Ariza

5 Booker injury setback- 3-4 games.

6. Do the Sun aquire a PG by opening day? - I don’t think so. Who starts opening day? Shaquille? Maybe Okobo gets a shot if he proves himself after several games of coming off the bench. Not sold that we will have our PG this season.

[Superbone]

And here it goes...

Tom Leander introducing and McD is now on the podium.

[Split T]

Watching live, hopefully some good stuff

[Split T]

McD says Elie Okobo has been a standout in workouts.
Likes Melton. Thought Canaan and Harrison were the best pg's last year. Will continue to look for vet help up through the trade deadline.

[Split T]

Really annoying we don't get a mic on the person asking the question

[Split T]

Traded Chriss because he was a poor fit with Ayton

[Split T]

https://twitter.com/esidery/status/1044266316629106688 Huge if he can hit from 3

[ShelC]

Traded Chriss because he was a poor fit with Ayton

I'm sure that was one of the reasons.

Hope they're not blowing smoke about Okobo. Really liked what I saw from some of his highlight videos. Still not convinced Canaan or Shaq are more than 3rd stringers so I'd be fine giving Okobo minutes.

[Split T]

Traded Chriss because he was a poor fit with Ayton

I'm sure that was one of the reasons.

Hope they're not blowing smoke about Okobo. Really liked what I saw from some of his highlight videos. Still not convinced Canaan or Shaq are more than 3rd stringers so I'd be fine giving Okobo minutes.

Agreed, I guess one silver lining to not having a locked in vet is there should be no issues just playing whoever is producing the best.

[Split T]

https://twitter.com/DaveKingNBA/status/1044266952993071104

[Split T]

Not counting out Booker being ready for opening night

[Split T]

https://twitter.com/KellanOlson/status/1044267316932829203