With the Arizona Cardinals looking to kick off the season this Sunday. The Phoenix Suns and Arizona Coyotes are gearing up to start their season in the next few weeks as well. The Arizona Diamondbacks showing off the future of the franchise as the season winds down this month with all of the youth they have producing. I wonder, which Arizona franchise will have the better season?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!All three of the winter sports are starting a new season, a new journey, and a new chance at championships. With all three in different stages of their “rebuilding” if you will. The Cardinals and Suns are at a place where they are expected to take it to the next level. While the Coyotes feel like they are at the very beginning of turning this franchise around.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have had their fair share of off-season drama, between coaches and players getting arrested to their franchise quarterback getting a homework clause put in his huge contract.
If you look past all of that noise, this franchise is one that is geared to compete. They are coming off a season in which it did not end great, but a 10-1 start as well as a wild card playoff game is something they can build on.
They secured their quarterback with a huge contract this off-season, hoping to put the rumors to rest before becoming a free agent distraction. Which is exactly what Kyler Murray ended up becoming late last season.
With Hopkins taking this 6 game suspension, it will be a rough start to the season, however I believe this team can build on last years success.
The division around them got weaker if anything losing Russell Wilson. A few key players for the Rams disappearing as well as their bellies being full. Also a 49ers team that looks awful but somehow wins games.
I do not think this Cardinal team has the defense however to do what they did last year. With that being said, I think this team will have a season full of shoot-outs coming down to the wire, losing as many as we win. Ultimately missing the playoffs and dealing with some tough questions around coaches and players moving forward.
All in all it will be one of the most exciting seasons for the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) walks across the field during a joint training camp practice against the Tennessee Titans at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
Nas Titans Cardinals 004
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are coming off of a 2 year run where they were on top of the league. You can even throw in their magic bubble run of 2020 as starting the momentum.
2021 they reached the Finals, losing in 6 games to a Milwaukee Bucks team that could not be stopped. 2022 this team was ranked number 1 all season long in the Western Conference, and due to a wide range of factors, fell apart in the playoffs. Literally.
Wether that was due to lack of focus on the defense and rebounding side of basketball or due to age and injury creeping in at the wrong time. What I do know is whatever the problem was, the Suns did nothing this off-season to fix it.
They are coming into this season tripling down on their core players of Booker, Paul, Ayton, Crowder, and Johnson. Which on one hand is what got them to where they are at, and on the other hand is what never got them over the hump.
Can the Suns overcome their problems?
Chris Paul’s age as much as he wants to deny it, has been slowing him down everywhere but in that mid range jumper that is so sweet. He has flat out fallen apart in both of his playoff runs with the Suns, and is only getting older this year. Hall of Fame, first ballot no doubt.
As far as in the paint defensively and on the boards, Deandre Ayton is still the center. As much as fans can look at potential, there is only so much fight in a dog, it is hard to add that “it” factor. The perimeter defense looks to be solid once again, and scoring should not be an issue.
Will one of the best coaches in the league in Monty Williams be able to maneuver this team to higher heights or has its potential been reached. What comes up must come down. Look for them to be a 3-6 seed in the playoffs and make a small run to the second round.
May 15, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) in the huddle with Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder against the Dallas Mavericks in game seven of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes are at the very beginning of their rebuild. They brought up 11 players last year and are looking to add some experience to that young core.
In the off-season, on top of drafting some of the top prospects in the draft, they added depth to their defense and veteran leadership in free agency.
They re-signed Shayne Gostisbehere which gives the locker room a vocal leader as well as a productive player to skate every night. This team is at the beginning of something special.
With the young players and free agent signings the Coyotes will also bring in a new home this year. The Mullett Arena will be home to the ‘Yotes for at least 3 years officially. Placing them in the heart of the city for the first time in 2 decades!
The Arizona Coyotes have not seen the playoffs in a while. I think this is the season to focus on being competitive. Similar to the Diamondbacks who are geared to take off next season after building something special this season.
Which Arizona Franchise will have the Better Season?
Fans of the desert, and the sports teams will be rooting on all three of these franchises. Just thought it would be fun to think about which one will have the better season. Since 3 out of 4 of the major sports are starting within the next 3-5 weeks. With the Cardinals kicking off the season this Sunday.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are at a different part of their year and rebuild so I excluded them from the list. However The Diamondbacks are possibly the best team under 25 I have ever seen. These D-Backs will mature into champions if allowed to by the front office.
My official guess is; the Phoenix Suns will be the only team on this list to make the playoffs!
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Rowan Donaghey is a MLB insider, NHL insider, Betting insider and breaking news reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on twitter via @RowanDonaghey
