But just how successful will this young group full of raw talent be? It’s certainly never easy out west, but do not count them out already.
Phoenix was 23-59 last year, falling in the 14th spot, and second to last in the Western Conference, only above the Los Angeles Lakers who won 17 games.
Injuries and a lack of depth tore down any chances of Phoenix competing for the eighth seed in the West, which was not out of the question after a 7-5 start to the season.
Last year the Houston Rockets claimed the eighth seed in the Western Conference with an even 41-41 record, a down year for the West, which required 45, 49, and 45 wins the previous three years.