Suns open practice October 6th, 2019

[Mainstreet]

The Suns will have a free open practice on Sunday at 12:30 at Talking Stick Arena on October 6th, 2019.

I know some posters have mentioned this event before. There may be some changes so feel free to update.

I'm hoping some posters can attend to give their impressions of the 2019-20 Suns.

Here are some details:


The Phoenix Suns will host an “Open Practice,” brought to you by Northern Arizona University, at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 12:30 p.m. The free, fan-friendly event is open to the public and is an opportunity to see the 2019-20 Phoenix Suns in action for the first time as they prepare for the regular season and a matchup with the Sacramento Kings in the Coca-Cola & Fry’s Food Stores Tip Off at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Fans attending the event will also have a chance to win several prizes, including player-autographed merchandise.


https://www.nba.com/suns/press-rele...ce-brought-you-northern-arizona-university-7#

 

[Mainstreet]

Monty Williams talks about what to expect Sunday in the open practice.

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[Mainstreet]

Duane Rankin‏Verified account @DuaneRankin

Seeing a little bit of passing, moving and cutting in #Suns offense.

First unit: Rubio, Saric, Ayton, Booker and Cam Johnson.

Ayton has a couple of dunks.

2nd unit: Kaminsky, Jerome, Tyler Johnson, Diallo, Oubre Jr.

This is against air. No defense.

1:28 PM - 6 Oct 2019

 

[Mainstreet]

Duane Rankin‏Verified account @DuaneRankin 10m10 minutes ago


Takes from #Suns guards.

1. Jevon Carter's form looks improved. Knocking a few down.

2. Jalen Lecque has a sprained ankle, but showed hops on a dunk.

3. Devin Booker is smiling and laughing. A lot. Far different than last year when he had to watch with the hand injury.

1:26 PM - 6 Oct 2019

 

[Mainstreet]

Duane Rankin‏Verified account @DuaneRankin

#Suns forward Mikal Bridges has knee problem, but just elevated for a reverse dunk.

Now granted, it wasn't full tilt, probably 1/4 speed, but #Suns did work on practice court before coming out here on the main floor.


1:16 PM - 6 Oct 2019

 

[Mainstreet]

Duane Rankin‏Verified account @DuaneRankin

No wrap on Kelly Oubre Jr. right hand. He's dunking with left shooting hand. #Suns

1:07 PM - 6 Oct 2019

 

[Mainstreet]

No scrimmage?


Kellan Olson‏Verified account @KellanOlson

And it looks like we're done. No scrimmage. That's a bummer for those who came out. Oubre hosting the rookie dance-off.


1:37 PM - 6 Oct 2019

 

[Mainstreet]

Kellan Olson‏Verified account @KellanOlson

Baynes is the only one not out here.

1:22 PM - 6 Oct 2019

 

[Mainstreet]

Cam Johnson got booed when he tried to boogie.

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[Mainstreet]

Duane Rankin gives his impressions on the practice.

Did any fans from ASFN make it? I like to hear from any that were able to attend.

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[Hoop Head]

Duane Rankin gives his impressions on the practice.

Did any fans from ASFN make it? I like to hear from any that were able to attend.

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That came up quick. I was waiting for things to get going just the other day and now camp is over and the open practice is finished. I'm glad I didn't attend since they didn't scrimmage.

Glad that Bridges did something, even at half speed. I was listening to a couple of Suns podcasts last night and one of the guys said he was worried that they may announce surgery for Bridges or Oubre after the open practice. That they would hold off on something like that so they could participate in camp some because once they go under the knife they'd be off their feet for a day or two and then rehabbing after that, so it would make sense to allow them to participate limitedly in camp before surgery if they knew they couldn't damage things further. I hope we don't hear about something in the next day or two.

 

[Mainstreet]

That came up quick. I was waiting for things to get going just the other day and now camp is over and the open practice is finished. I'm glad I didn't attend since they didn't scrimmage.

Glad that Bridges did something, even at half speed. I was listening to a couple of Suns podcasts last night and one of the guys said he was worried that they may announce surgery for Bridges or Oubre after the open practice. That they would hold off on something like that so they could participate in camp some because once they go under the knife they'd be off their feet for a day or two and then rehabbing after that, so it would make sense to allow them to participate limitedly in camp before surgery if they knew they couldn't damage things further. I hope we don't hear about something in the next day or two.

I sure hope those worries are unfounded.

Bridges with the knee injury sounds the most concerning but losing either of those two players for any length of time would be a terrible loss. Let's hope it is not true.

Agree, attending the open practice and not seeing a scrimmage would be disappointing.

 

[JerkFace]

I went and it was pretty much a waste of my time. I was barely paying attention for the drills because I was watching the Cardinals game on my phone and I was pretty much only interested in the scrimmage. No scrimmage, players were only on the court for about 45 minutes and 15 of those was a dance contest and tshirt toss.

 

[Mainstreet]

I went and it was pretty much a waste of my time. I was barely paying attention for the drills because I was watching the Cardinals game on my phone and I was pretty much only interested in the scrimmage. No scrimmage, players were only on the court for about 45 minutes and 15 of those was a dance contest and tshirt toss.

I'm sure it was a disappointment. A 45 minute event is pretty short. Most fans when they hear open practice think scrimmage.

 

[JerkFace]

I'm sure it was a disappointment. A 45 minute event is pretty short. Most fans when they hear open practice think scrimmage.

Before the Suns players came out there was 30 minutes of crowd interaction stuff like a kid dance off, and a musical chair thing, as well as the Dancers/soul patrol/gorilla stuff, so the event itself was about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I was really surprised that there was no scrimmage though... not even some half court stuff with defense playing. All the drills were just five against air.

 

[Hoop Head]

Playing a game of HORSE or having the players compete in a 3pt contest would have been much better. At least it was free, I guess. I don't think that will help them sell any tickets though, which is one of the goals of those events.

 

[Mainstreet]

Before the Suns players came out there was 30 minutes of crowd interaction stuff like a kid dance off, and a musical chair thing, as well as the Dancers/soul patrol/gorilla stuff, so the event itself was about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I was really surprised that there was no scrimmage though... not even some half court stuff with defense playing. All the drills were just five against air.

Still this not what basketball fans go to watch. They want to see basketball action. The players reportedly worked out in a practice facility before coming out. Why not before the fans?

Duane Rankin agrees the event was too short.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...ndays-open-practice-conclude-camp/3894411002/

 

[Mike Vigil]

I streamed the whole practice/dance off here. Warning, it’s boring.

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[Mainstreet]

I streamed the whole practice/dance off here. Warning, it’s boring.

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Kudos to those who attended the practice and took one for the rest of the fans.

Next year they need to rethink not having a scrimmage for fans dedicated enough to attend.

 

[Hoop Head]

Kudos to those who attended the practice and took one for the rest of the fans.

Next year they need to rethink not having a scrimmage for fans dedicated enough to attend.

I was hoping they would do a scrimmage at the Coliseum again. If they did that, I'd go without question. Maybe next year? I'm still kicking myself for not attending the last time they did that, which was 2-3 years ago, I believe.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was hoping they would do a scrimmage at the Coliseum again. If they did that, I'd go without question. Maybe next year? I'm still kicking myself for not attending the last time they did that, which was 2-3 years ago, I believe.

Nothing like the "Madhouse on McDowell" to get fans excited.

 

[95pro]

I loved it at nau although I’m partial because I live in flagstaff.

The scrimmage. The meet and greets. The autographs.

 

[Mainstreet]

I loved it at nau although I’m partial because I live in flagstaff.

The scrimmage. The meet and greets. The autographs.

A scrimmage should have happened in Flagstaff to reward the fans there. Also it's a great place to visit.

They could have done something in Phoenix as well if they so desired.

 

[JerkFace]

I did find one thing at the practice to be kind of interesting: the player introductions. Unsurprisingly Booker, Ayton, and Oubre got the biggest cheers by far (Rubio was a distant fourth), but what kind of surprised me was the fact that I think Kelly got the loudest ovation. It was close between him and Book, but I gave the nod to Kelly.

 

[Mainstreet]

I did find one thing at the practice to be kind of interesting: the player introductions. Unsurprisingly Booker, Ayton, and Oubre got the biggest cheers by far (Rubio was a distant fourth), but what kind of surprised me was the fact that I think Kelly got the loudest ovation. It was close between him and Book, but I gave the nod to Kelly.

It's hard to remember a Suns player that generates so much spontaneous fan energy like Oubre. Certainly Booker is a fan favorite as well but Oubre seems to connect with the fans in a special way. Maybe the "Valley Boyz" thing has helped but I think it's more. His smile is contagious and his connection with the fans seems to come so easy.