With training camp already coming to a close in Flagstaff in less than 24 hours, it’s an ideal time to reflect on some of the takeaways we learned about the team over the past week.
More to the point, there were three overriding themes that dominated Suns Training Camp 2014.
1. Speed
If you thought the Suns were fast last year, think again.
Hornacek has been a stickler about pushing the pace now that the Suns can, theoretically, play with two point guards on the floor at all times (Dragic, Bledsoe, Thomas).
In order to do that, however, two things need to happen: the Suns need to rebound but also be in amazing physical shape. The Suns are counting on the Morris brothers to have an increased role on getting to the glass to help centers Miles Plumlee and Alex Len get the ball out in transition to one of their three lead guards.
And getting in shape? Running countless sprints at an altitude of 7,000 feet should certainly help.
2. Athleticism
The additions of Isaiah Thomas and Anthony Tolliver give the entire Suns roster an added boost on both ends of the floor.
"What I bring to the table definitely bodes well for this offense with the guards we have,” Anthony Tolliver told reporters on Thursday. “I definitely use my quickness and my brains.”
Oh, and the Suns still have Gerald Green who continues to do Gerald-Green-things like this:
3. Unity
“We’ve been playing every day in pickup,” he said. “[Len] looked great. He’s definitely bulked up, a lot stronger. I think it’s the same thing that happened to me. He’s just a little more decisive.”
Quotes like the one above from Miles Plumlee have been a daily occurrence from players at training camp this year. That is to say, players have been more than willing to dish out praise for their teammates which conveys an increasing sense of collaboration – a great sign this early in the season.
“I honestly think this is the most excited I’ve ever been,” President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby told Suns.com’s Greg Esposito on the RISE network recently. “We know it’s daunting in the West, but we have the makings of a good team. Every practice has been intense, competitive and supportive.
“I have tremendous confidence in our coaching staff and I’m very, very excited about it.”