Are the Suns being underrated despite addressing roster issues this offseason?

Here I sit on a Sunday evening in late August. I’m on my back porch with one big rock in a glass, a dash of bitters, a muddled sugar cube, and some Bulleit Rye zested with fresh orange. Yeah, I like my Old Fashioneds with rye versus bourbon or whiskey. I know it might not sound super appetizing as you read this on Monday morning, but after some yardwork in the Arizona heat, this feels just right.

It’s typically after an Old Fashioned when I start thinking about the Phoenix Suns. My thoughts meander as I do the ‘old speak-to-text in a Google Doc like the Phoenix breeze. Note: the breeze is a 95° hot fart.

So here is my thought of the night: Do you think that the Phoenix Suns are underrated as went enter this season?

I know how we feel as Suns fans. The way the 2023-24 season ended was so disappointing. It wasn’t crushing. “Crushing” is to lose in seven games disastrously at home. You know, like in 2022. But it was disappointing given the talent level that this team rostered and how they simply could just never turn the engine over and perform the way we expected them to.

We enter next season with caution.

Some of this feeds into the broader narrative surrounding the Suns this season. Nationally, the team is being written off, with last season’s failures painting a bleak picture. The so-called “experiment” was deemed a flop, and that label is hard to shake. But in the same breath, James Jones, ever the strategist, didn’t just accept that verdict, he refined the formula.

Jones went out and secured what many consider the top two point guards available in free agency, Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, both on savvy veteran deals. He recognized the need for stability and playmaking, and these additions are poised to provide just that. Mason Plumlee, a seasoned big man, offers a significant upgrade over Drew Eubanks, bringing more experience and versatility to the frontcourt. There’s also a fresh infusion of youthful energy with the likes of Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, players who bring untapped potential and hunger to a team that needs it.

And let’s not forget the core trio — Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker — still one of the most formidable in the league. What’s different now is that they’re not just a collection of talent; they’ve had 41 games to gel, to figure each other out, and to build a chemistry that only comes with time. This isn’t just about big names anymore; it’s about a team that’s learned from its missteps and is ready to put those lessons into practice.

Yet ESPN has them finishing fifth in the Western Conference. DraftKings has them +210 to win the Pacific Division (not far ahead of the Sacramento Kings at +270), +1500 to win the Western Conference (sixth behind OKC, Denver, Dallas, Minnesota, and the Lakers), and +3500 to win the championship (11th).

I get it. They nosedived faster than a cigar in a windstorm, and now the odds of them pulling off a comeback are about as slim as that ash not burning a hole in my shirt. But you know what? That’s just how I like it. Low expectations, no pressure. The Suns might not be the hot ticket, but that’s the beauty of it. When everyone’s counting you out, it’s easier to surprise them. After all, who wants to be predictable

These are the evening ramblings of a Rye-filled Suns fan. Thanks for stopping by. You stay classy San Diego.