Phoenix Suns’ Josh Jackson aims to remain aggressive without turnovers
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Earl Watson on expectations during scrimmage | 0:48
Suns coach Earl Watson on his expectations for his team ahead of a scrimmage at training camp.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Eric Bledsoe talks at Suns camp | 0:57
Suns guard Eric Bledsoe on pushing through fatigue at training camp and the team’s talent.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns coach Earl Watson talks at Suns camp | 0:49
Suns coach Earl Watson on camp conditioning, Dragan Bender’s play.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Earl Watson on state of Suns players at camp | 0:38
“Overall everyone seems healthy and that’s positive,” the Suns coach said.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Dragan Bender discusses his mindset at Suns camp | 0:30
The Phoenix Suns forward is eager to improve in his season NBA season.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Devin Booker on Suns training camp | 0:53
Suns guard Devin Booker talks about his goals entering his third season with the Suns as training camp begins. Scott Bordow/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson | 0:54
Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson talks about the team’s commitment this season, and the players who spent their off-seasons living in the Phoenix area and working out as a group. Scott Bordow/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Phoenix Suns training camp Day 1 | 0:32
The Phoenix Suns run the three-man weave as the team’s training camp opens in Flagstaff. Scott Bordow/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Phoenix Suns Devin Booker at Media Day | 1:57
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker talks about his game, his idol and hopes for this season during press conference at Phoenix Suns Media Day Talking Stick Resort Arena, Monday, September 25, 2017. Tom Tingle/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns’ Jared Dudley on reaction to President Trump | 1:38
Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley talks about the controversy surrounding statements made by President Trump about players not standing for the national anthem. Dudley spoke at the Suns media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena, September 25, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Greg Moore interviews Suns owner Robert Sarver | 2:09
Greg Moore of azcentral sports interviews Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, Wednesday, September 20, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Scott Bordow interviews Suns center Alan Williams | 2:28
Scott Bordow of azcentral sports interviews Phoenix Suns center Alan Williams, Wednesday, September 20, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Phoenix Suns Charities donates $1 million | 1:40
Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver announces that Phoenix Suns Charities is donating $1 million to renovate 50 neighborhood basketball courts in Arizona in honor of the 50th anniversary of the NBA franchise.. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns unveil ‘Statement Edition’ uniform | 0:29
Eric Bledsoe shows off the new Nike Statement Edition uniform for the Suns.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Markelle Fultz thinks Sixers are playoff bound | 0:59
No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz is confident his team is primed for big things this season. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: ASU QB fail? Suns ‘lose’ Kyrie | 2:08
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley weigh in on ASU’s quarterback situation and the Suns not trading for Kyrie Irving.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: LeBron-Bledsoe link may help Suns | 2:02
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the latest on Kyrie Irving in Cleveland and the ramifications it could hold for Phoenix.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Jackson included in Irving rumors | 2:04
azcentral sports’ Dan Bickley and Jay Dieffenbach have different opinions on including Josh Jackson in a deal for Cavaliers’ star Kyrie Irving. They share their thoughts in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Kyrie Irving to Suns? | 1:58
Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach talk Phoenix Suns trade rumors and Cardinals camp in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Robert Sarver discusses Suns’ arena situation | 1:40
Suns’ Robert Sarver discusses his team’s arena situation during a press conference on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: NBA Summer League taking toll? | 2:02
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss the NBA Summer League and the Diamondbacks in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Mike James on his 32-point performance in loss to Grizzlies | 2:32
Suns guard Mike James on his high-quality performance in a summer-league loss to Memphis.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Summer Suns coach Marlon Garnett discusses Phoenix’s win | 1:25
Suns summer league coach Marlon Garnett talks about Phoenix’s first-round win over the Jazz in the NBA Summer League tournament on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Josh Jackson on his increasing comfort | 2:37
Suns first-rounder Josh Jackson talks about the Suns’ first-round win in the NBA Summer League tournament in Vegas on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Marquese Chriss on Suns’ defensive effort | 1:55
Suns forward Marquese Chriss talks about the Suns’ first-round win over the Jazz in the NBA Summer League tournament in Vegas on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns? | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Sarah McLellan talk about the playoff odds for the Diamondbacks and the Suns as well as a big upcoming fight in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk Summer League | 1:18
Phoenix Suns draft picks Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk about the NBA Summer League as the squad prepares to depart for Las Vegas.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Josh Jackson fits with Suns | 1:59
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss Josh Jackson and the Suns and the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement? | 2:05
Mark Faller and Dan Bickley discuss how the Suns handled free agency in a loaded West and the Diamondbacks’ options when it comes to rolling the dice on the trade market with the Dodgers in command of the West.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns rookie Josh Jackson on first summer league practice | 1:21
Suns first-rounder Josh Jackson discusses Phoenix’s first summer league practice on Tuesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Doug Haller/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns’ Bender, Chriss address expectations for Summer League | 2:30
Second-year Suns players Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss offer some insight into what the Suns’ expectations are heading into the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas after practice on Tuesday. Richard Morin/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS What to expect from Suns in NBA free agency | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss what the Suns might do when the NBA free agency period begins Friday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Why did Josh Jackson not work out for Boston? | 2:20
Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough and Josh Jackson discuss why the team’s No. 4 overall pick decided not to work out for the Celtics, who had the No. 3 pick.
Suns Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk Summer League
Shot Clock: Josh Jackson fits with Suns
Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?
Suns rookie Josh Jackson on first summer league practice
Suns’ Bender, Chriss address expectations for Summer League
What to expect from Suns in NBA free agency
Why did Josh Jackson not work out for Boston?
When Suns coach Earl Watson compared rookie forward Josh Jackson to Russell Westbrook, when Westbrook was a rookie in Oklahoma City, he meant it as a compliment.
Like Westbrook, Jackson is an elite athlete who plays with great energy and can fill up a box score. Through three preseason games Jackson is averaging 13 points and five rebounds per game and, encouragingly, is shooting 60 percent from 3-point range.
But Jackson also is averaging 5.7 turnovers per contest, a result of, like Westbrook, sometimes playing too fast for his own good.
“It’s different from college because it’s more of a thinking game,” Jackson said. “A lot of things out there I see happening on the court it’s just read and react. As an offensive player you have to be able to know what you have to do off what they give you.”
Jackson’s turnover rate is not atypical. As he said: “It’s part of the process. It just takes time and maturity.”
Watson said Monday that he’d like to see Jackson “slow down and make good decisions.” But it’s a fine line. Phoenix doesn’t want Jackson playing cautiously. If he’s going to make a mistake, make it playing hard and then learn from it.
“A lot of my turnovers have come from not being able to read what the defense is doing and trying to force a play when it wasn’t there,” Jackson said. “You can still play fast while doing all those things at the same time.”
One of the attributes the Suns like most about Jackson is that he’s a quick learner. The mistakes he’s making in the preseason, they believe, will help him in the regular season.
“I think that’s the best way to learn,” Jackson said. “Get out there and be able to make the mistakes, get back out there and get another shot at it.”
Hinting at lineup?
Watson said that if everyone’s healthy – T.J. Warren sat out Wednesday’s game with a back contusion – he’ll likely go with his regular-season starting lineup in Friday’s preseason finale against the Brisbane Bullets.
Watson wouldn’t divulge what that lineup will look like but he seemed to give a hint that Tyson Chandler will be his starting center with this statement:
“As we saw through preseason we need veteran leadership to start the game,” Watson said. “Our starts have been challenging. We need guys out there who have been there and done that.”
Outsiders’ view
TNT held a conference call with NBA analysts Reggie Miller and Chris Webber on Wednesday to preview the season. Here’s what they had to say about the Suns:
Miller: “You build around Devin Booker. To me he is probably a top-five shooting guard at such a young age. You go out and draft a defensive specialist and all-around great player at Kansas in Josh Jackson. What are my expectations for the Phoenix Suns in the loaded Western Conference? They’re looking at a lottery pick again. It’s probably going to be hard knocks for the Phoenix Suns but they do have young talent in Booker and Jackson to build around.”
Webber: “Now is the time for Phoenix fans to earn their stripes so when success comes five, six, seven years down the road they can say don’t jump on the bandwagon. I think they’re building the right way. We’ve seen teams make a gamble after older players and maybe they handicap their franchise for the next two, three or four seasons. I think patience is something that can be appreciated. They’re going to need a lot of patience this year because it’s going to be trying times for a young team.”
Bennett, Jok waived
The Suns waived former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett and shooting guard Peter Jok Wednesday. Neither had played in the preseason and both are expected to join the NAZ Suns of the G-League. Phoenix has 18 players on its roster. Teams can carry up to 15 players in the regular season.