Bright Side Baller – Summer League Edition: Suns look good in Vegas opener

The rookies showed up, and the defense showed out in the Suns’ Summer League opener.

What’s this? A Bright Side Baller during Summer League? Hell yes it is.

Because even when the games don’t “matter,” I’m still here tapping the keys, delivering something that blends stats with soul, sarcasm with sincerity. I started this little tradition last year. Thought it might be a one-off. But then I realized, nah. This is the good stuff. This is the basketball gumbo. And I’m ladling it out whether it’s July in Vegas or January in Denver.

Game 1 of the Summer Suns is in the books. Suns 103, Wizards 84. A comfortable win.

This wasn’t a disjointed pickup game with a bunch of hopefuls throwing bricks. No, this Suns squad showed a bit of bite. They were disruptive on defense, swarming like bees at a picnic. They knocked down triples and they introduced us to rookies with just enough flair and fearlessness to make us sit up straighter in our couches.

It was aggressive. It was entertaining. It felt like something.

Now look, yes, it’s Summer League. The box scores disappear into the void. The banners aren’t real. But that doesn’t mean this doesn’t matter.

Culture starts here. Want a team that plays hard in February? Watch how they hustle in July. Want a deep bench? Look at who’s cutting their teeth in Vegas. Want a winning mentality? It starts when no one’s watching.

Because even when the lights are low and the stakes are fake, the passion’s still real.

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The Nominees

Ryan Dunn

17 points (7-of-12, 2-of-5 3PT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +13 +/-

Koby Brea

19 points (7-of-10, 4-of-5 3PT), 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 turnovers, +0 +/-

Boogie Ellis

16 points (4-of-8, 4-of-6 3PT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 3 turnovers, +25 +/-

Khaman Maluach

14 points (5-of-13 FG, 1-of-6 3PT), 5 rebounds (1 offensive), 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -6 +/-

Oso Ighodaro

11 points (4-of-5 FG, 3-of-4 FT), 14 rebounds (6 offensive), 2 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, +4 +/-

Moses Wood

9 points (4-of-11, 1-of-7 3PT), 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +23 +/-

Yuri Collins

9 points (4-of-7 FG, 1-of-1 FT), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +2 +/-

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First one of the summer. Who you voting for?

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