Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Daily: 2022-2023 Season Preview #28 – Phoenix Suns


PhilBoxing.com




In this limited 30-part series, we shall be discussing each team’s latest developments, current roster, and future prospects in the upcoming 2022-2023 NBA season. For every team, we will examine bit-by-bit the important aspects that may shape its progress and provide a rough projection of how it will fare vis-à-vis its previous year’s performance and versus the rest of the league.

PHOENIX SUNS

2021-2022 Season Win-Loss Record:

64-18

Depth Chart:

PG – Chris Paul, Cameron Payne, Duane Washington Jr., Frank Jackson
SG – Devin Booker, Landry Shamet, Damion Lee
SF – Mikal Bridges, Torrey Craig, Josh Okogie
PF – Cameron Johnson, Dario Saric, Ish Wainright, Jae Crowder*
CE – Deandre Ayton, Bismack Biyombo, Jock Landale

*Likely to be traded anytime soon.

Injury Updates:

No significant injuries.

Head Coach:

Monty Williams

Headliners:

The Phoenix Suns were the only team that won at least 60 games last regular season, entering the postseason with a 64-18 win-loss record. The biggest news going into this season for the franchise, however, does not have anything to do with what happened on the court, but off it.

Robert Sarver, the Phoenix Suns owner, was meted with a one-year suspension and fined $10 million after allegations of racism and misogyny led to an investigation conducted by the league that found several violations. Ultimately, he recently announced that the franchise is now up for sale.

Nevertheless, it is hard to imagine the Suns, a team so well-balanced and quite cohesive, fall off the title contenders list, especially because the team is relatively intact. Their chemistry is expected and should remain as one its greatest strengths.

Chris Paul will remain to be the glue that keeps this team together for yet another title run. While it needed restricted free agency for the front office to decide on giving starting center DeAndre Ayton what he asked for, a cloud of uncertainty still remains on his future with the franchise.

Ayton has continued to average a double-double in points and rebounds in every season he’s been in the league, with field goal shooting that has also improved over the years. Last season, he contributed 17.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on a nightly basis. The same type of production is expected of him in this upcoming season, but if the Suns are to get over the hump, Ayton must assert himself more on offense and be a much better defender as well.

Much of the team’s scoring will fall on Devin Booker’s shoulders, as it has always been since his sophomore season. However, his assist numbers have dropped quite a bit these past couple of seasons, largely because playmaking duties have been passed on to Chris Paul upon his arrival in Phoenix.

While Devin Booker’s numbers have stayed relatively the same, Mikal Bridges has benefited the most, production-wise, with Chris Paul’s playmaking prowess. Over the past two seasons, his scoring has jumped from a little over 9 points per contest in his sophomore season, to 13.5 and 14.2 points in seasons 3 and 4, respectively.

Cameron Johnson will most likely start for Phoenix at the four-spot this time around. His numbers have gradually improved since being drafted 11th overall in 2019 NBA Rookie Draft. Last season, he averaged career-highs in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, field goal shooting, and accuracy from beyond the arc with norms of 12.5 markers, 4.1 boards, 1.5 dimes, and 0.9 steals per contest, while connecting on 46% of his field goals, including an impressive 42.5% from deep.

Veteran forward Jae Crowder, who started at power forward in all 67 regular season games he played for Phoenix last year has requested to not report to the Suns training camp, which the team agreed, as it continues to find a suitable trade partner. Crowder is headed into the final season of his contract and had seen a diminished role, with the resurgence of Cameron Johnson.

The Phoenix Suns may not win as much games as they did last season, but they certainly remain as one of the best teams in the Western Conference, and even in the entire league, when healthy.

Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.