Site icon Sports360AZ

Analyst taking prove-it mentality with rebuilt Suns

Arizona Sports News online

So what can you do for an encore?

A year ago at this time nearly every Phoenix Suns’ fan didn’t think the statement above would have a positive connotation.

Well, times have changed.

Easy to see why after general manager Ryan McDonough and Jeff Hornacek led a desert revival which featured 48 wins and, more importantly, established a blueprint of success moving forward in a Western Conference filled with talented teams on the brink of breaking through.

“The team exceeded everyone’s expectations,” NBA on TNT/NBA TV and former Sun Grant Hill told Sports360AZ.com in a recent telephone interview. “Let’s see what they do this year before we start talking about them as being a top team.”

It’s a busy week with the NBA draft being held Thursday leading into what many feel could be a hectic summer for Phoenix who hold three first-round picks and some believe enough pieces to land an elite talent either through free-agency or a trade.

They also have some of their own players they’d like to bring back, specifically restricted free-agent guard Eric Bledsoe and forward Channing Frye. Frye’s expected to opt out of his final season but could return as an unrestricted free-agent.

“I think they have a lot of decisions which need to be made,” Hill explained. “Considering where they were a year ago…they should probably have a parade in Phoenix for how good things are now because certainly a year ago that wasn’t the case.”

Phoenix has four total draft picks including first-rounders at number 14, 18, and 27. They also hold the 50th overall pick in the second-round. There has been speculation any of their top three picks could be moved to bring in immediate help.

A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.

Exit mobile version