- Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Phoenix Suns enter the 2013-2014 season having undergone a few changes, including bringing in a brand new head coach in Jeff Hornacek. As the NBA schedule was released recently, Phoenix gets to begin planning their season and getting ready for — hopefully — a better turnout to the year than 2012.
Having what most would call quite a successful draft in 2013, the Suns were able to select Alex Len, center out of Maryland and Archie Goodwin, guard out of Kentucky. Len has a ways to go before playing, but was considered one of the top-5 prospects in the draft and Phoenix is excited to have him on board.
The Suns also brought in guard Eric Bledsoe in a trade that ultimately sealed the letting go of the inconsistent Wesley Johnson, giving them a significant upgrade at the position. Combined with Goran Dragic, the Suns could have themselves a fun back court to watch this year.
If Phoenix is going to wind up improving off of last year’s debacle, they’re going to have to fight through a heck of a lot of traveling. The Suns are set to travel the fourth-most miles next season out of any other team in the NBA. Phoenix will travel nearly 50,000 miles during the course of the season.
This team could wind up surprising and competing for an eighth seed if all goes according to plan. Dragic will have to continue his solid play and Bledsoe will need to finally come into his own as a legitimate rising star. They’re also a team that has some upside in the future depending on what they can do in next year’s draft and free agency.
As Shaq once said, ”the sun will rise again in Phoenix.” It may not be for a while, but it’ll happen eventually.
Ryan Heckman is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
