More and more celebrities have taken part in the Suns games, including Kendall Jenner, who is dating Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. Earlier this season, she snapped a selfie with several current and former Arizona state students. The photo with George Boyle, Bobby Murphy, Noah Velasco and Harrison Campbell from left went viral. (Photo courtesy of Bobby Murphy)
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is among those who have attended the Phoenix Suns Games. Tickets are expensive now as the team is in the postseason. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Suns)
From high profile fans to high-priced tickets, the Phoenix Suns enjoy the fruits of the game in the national spotlight.
Celebrities from professional athletes to TikTok stars occupy seats on the pitch. Some tickets to tonight’s Western Conference semifinal game 2 against the Denver Nuggets fetch more than $ 2,000. Now, the national media is documenting every move.
« I’ve been following most of the glory days of the (Steve) Nash era up close, so I’d never forget what the NBA playoffs sound like in Phoenix, » the NBA said – New York Times reporter Marc Stein. « But it’s been more than a decade since we’ve seen the suns on this stage and the exuberance of fans fills the screen for those of us watching from afar. »
The national popularity of the suns is increased throughout the season. They had 21 national TV shows on their schedule, up from one in 2019-20. They score an impressive first-round win against defending champions Los Angeles Lakers, which allows the nation to see what many in Phoenix already knew.
Celebrity support is often a powerful barometer of success. It’s not just the attention of model Kendall Jenner, who is in a high-profile relationship with Guardian Devin Booker, but other stars as well, including swimmer Michael Phelps and chef Guy Fieri. Professional athletes are often at games, including J.J. Watt, Kyler Murray, Diana Taurasi, Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Even the number of visitors is skyrocketing. The Suns landed in the NBA’s top 10 for the first time since 2007. And with their popularity, so too do ticket prices.
On Tuesday, the lowest ticket price for Game 2 on Vivid Seats was $ 129 and the most expensive was over $ 2,000. The suns are the hottest ticket in a city hungry for an NBA title for a team that has never won one.
« That Phoenix crowd right there, it’s special to see, » said ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith on First Take on Tuesday. “There is something special to see. You have a real home advantage « ,
You have a strong young player base, especially bookers. He is the next superstar in the NBA and has not disappointed in his appearances on the national stage. The 24-year-old already has an impressive résumé that includes winning the 2018 3-point contest, landing two All-Star appearances and releasing a 70-point game. He also has the Sun’s best-selling jersey in the NBA team shop.
Devin Booker is no longer the NBA’s best-kept secret. With his outstanding game he has earned national attention. (Photo by Sean Gardner / Getty Images) « He thinks he’s one of the best players in the league, » said coach Monty Williams. “He doesn’t think there’s a better person in his position and I’m sure he thinks he’s one of the top players. … This is where you can show it in the playoffs and that’s the moment he wanted. ”
Booker doesn’t enjoy the same national recognition as other NBA greats, even after being in the he almost single-handedly led the Suns into the playoffs almost single-handedly as eighth seed without Chris Paul, had shown splendor.
« I think Booker’s reputation actually took on another level in the bubble before this season even started, » Stein said. “He led the Suns into the playoffs from almost an impossible position at Walt Disney World, and great things were expected after the deal with Chris Paul. Maybe not a runner-up and a first-round win over the Lakers, but I don’t think anyone overlooked Devin Booker coming this season. «
It has been eleven years since the Suns last played the postseason so it’s not surprising that the city is so excited.
So are others. The Suns are a tad behind Utah Jazz as the most wanted Western Conference team in the past 30 days. On a scale of 0-100, the Bahamas, home of Center Deandre Ayton, rated a 100, followed by the United States with 56 and Puerto Rico with 38. The Suns are becoming a team known worldwide.
Joey Serrano expects to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism in August 2021. Serrano did an internship with the East Village Times.
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