Jordan HammThe Phoenix Suns have taken some licks this season.
But Sunday night showed the Suns can throw some punches themselves after coming back from a 20+ point deficit and giving the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers all they could handle in the Cavs’ 120-116 win.
When things “clicked,” it could have been a preview of years to come for Planet Orange.
Sitting at 12-26 with a roster that has eight players under 25, Suns fans are hoping this group can mature together to create a nucleus for sustained success.
With players like Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, TJ Warren, Alex Len and Marquese Chriss contributing, and the potential for 19-year-old Dragan Bender’s role to expand in his rookie season, head coach Earl Watson is optimistic this group can mature into tandems like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook or Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
For those who are thinking that is a bit of a stretch, Watson pointed to LeBron James, who hit two 3-pointers to ice a win over the Suns on Sunday, and the time it took for him to develop into the best player in the world.
“Remember, it became a point in LeBron’s career where he really couldn’t shoot a three,” Watson said. “And then it became a point where the media said he didn’t take enough big shots, so you know it’s a process and a journey with every player.”
If any of these player’s journeys take them in the same zip code as the one LeBron has taken, Phoenix fans should be excited.
The potential is there, now it’s just a matter of getting these players the right experience.
