Phoenix Suns · 7 notes
Suns coach Jordan Ott hopes Luke Kennard and Oso Ighodaro are back for opening night but didn't commit. Everyone else came out of the preseason healthy: "I think we're in a pretty good place there." Miles Bridges returned, and Ott called his defensive intent "high level."
"I feel like we got the best bench unit in the league and to add me to it, it'll be great too." Miles Bridges will come off Phoenix's bench with Luke Kennard, Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, and is picking up full court on defense for the first time since Michigan State.
Luke Kennard is being told to shoot more. Suns coach Jordan Ott called him the team's best shooter, likening his movement shooting to Kyle Korver and Joe Harris. Collin Gillespie's message after a 48% three-point season: "shoot first and ask questions later."
Luke Kennard started for the Suns in his first home game, Oct. 10, and said he wants to bring more than shooting: "a lot of movement, a lot of chaos on offense." He remembers the crowd from visiting and is excited to play for it. "Ooh, Phoenix gonna love some Luke Kennard."
New Suns Luke Kennard and Miles Bridges will be asked to help and pressure on defense, coach Jordan Ott said: "We're going to ask them to tag. We're going to ask them to pressure." He said their impact already shows on a deeper, bigger roster.
Luke Kennard may get a new defensive role. The Phoenix Suns are "going to ask to probably do something he hasn't done," coach Jordan Ott said. Kennard clicked instantly with Oso Ighodaro in a scrimmage, and Ott said "that's something we'll take advantage of."
Mark Williams is out, Luke Kennard said at Phoenix Suns practice, offering no reason or timeline. Kennard pointed to the roster instead: "Mark is out, but we have a really deep team which can play to our strengths."