Heading into Friday’s tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers, it was a reminder of how this is the true first test for this young roster. Deandre Ayton would be matched up against Jusuf Nurkic, while Josh Jackson would have to go threw the gauntlet presented by Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Portland, who made the playoffs last season as the No. 3 seed, showed why they are at least a level above compared to Phoenix. Early on, the Blazers were confusing the Suns with their concepts to the tune of allowing plenty of easy looks, which happened plenty on Wednesday against the New Zealand Breakers.