OKC Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, 2019-20 team preview
Over the years the Phoenix Suns have served up some entertaining matches vs. the OKC Thunder but what does 2019-20 hold for the clubs?
Exactly how many seasons the Phoenix Suns will be in rebuild mode is uncertain, but as they prepare for the 2019-20 season they are one of the teams pundits unanimously rank as a lottery bound team.
The odd thing about the Suns is it feels like it wasn’t that long ago they were perennial title contenders. Yet, it’s been nine years since they made the playoffs. This summer Devin Booker begged off playing for the US National Team at the FIBA tournament citing the need to prepare for the upcoming campaign. An odd choice unless he’s confident the club can finally breakthrough.
The problem is the team remains full of youngsters in the much more difficult Western Conference so it’s hard to imagine a different outcome this season.
As the team attempts to improve the culture and their win total they brought on Monty Williams to coach the team. This is the Suns fourth new Head Coach in five years – another choice teams with young players shouldn’t be making.
That said, Williams is an even keeled coach who’ll bring a new mindset to the youngsters but his true measuring stick this season won’t likely be wins. Rather it will rest on the ability of the team to improve and show palpable improvements and individual growth.
The Basics:
2018-19 Record: 19-63
Playoff/Lottery Seed: Landed the sixth seed in the lottery.
Head Coach: Monty Williams begins his first season as the bench boss.
Points per game: Ranked 23rd (107.5) | Opponent points per game: Ranked 28th (116.8)
Pace: Ranked 12th (100.5) | Offensive Rating: Ranked 28th (105.9) | Defensive Rating: Ranked 29th (115.1)
Vegas Odds:
Win-Loss: 28.5 games
Odds to NBA Title: +27274
Odds to Win Conference: +22223
* Odds courtesy of The Action Network.
The OKC Thunder swept the regular-season series against the Suns. Next up, let’s look at the offseason changes made by the Suns and review what to expect when the team’s tipoff versus each other in their three contests.