Why are Suns rookies sporting hilarious backpacks on their first road trip?

The hilarious hazing has begun.

Rookie hazing is nothing new. In any sport, first-year players often find themselves tasked with odd jobs. Carrying luggage. Doing laundry. Sporting funny-looking backpacks?

The Phoenix Suns are gearing up for their first official road trip of the season. Although the game in Palm Desert against the Los Angeles Lakers is just preseason, the bonding that happens on the road is invaluable.

Today, the team boarded their flight to Palm Springs. Side note: has anyone flown into Palm Springs? It’s terrifying! If you’ve ever driven through the Coachella Valley, you’ve probably noticed the iconic windmills. They’re there for a reason…it’s windy! Flying in can be a little nerve-wracking.

The Suns’ social media team shared photos of the players boarding, and while Kevin Durant’s slippers caught some attention, it was the rookies’ backpacks that stood out. Both Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro sported humorous backpacks as part of their initiation.

Bradley Beal recently hinted at the long list of tasks he has lined up for the rookies, a rite of passage that veterans have passed down for generations. These tasks, while light-hearted on the surface, serve a deeper purpose, fostering humility, discipline, and unity within the team.

The funny backpacks are just one example, but they symbolize more than just rookie hazing; they represent the willingness of new players like Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro to embrace their role, no matter how trivial it may seem. Dunn’s priceless expression, a mix of humor and mild embarrassment, reflects both the camaraderie forming and the subtle lessons being learned about accountability and respect for the team’s hierarchy.

The Suns face off against the Lakers tomorrow night at 6:30 PM, marking our first chance to see the team in action. Jusuf Nurkic, however, will be out due to a finger injury.