Josh Okogie is Starting For Suns - Here's Why

Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel spoke to reporters ahead of today and discussed why Josh Okogie got the first start of the preseason.

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are less than an hour away from their preseason opener against the Detroit Pistons, and one of the largest questions surrounding the team is who will grab the final starting spot alongside Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic.

There's been a handful of names such as Keita Bates-Diop who emerged as early favorites, though it's Josh Okogie who got the nod today in the Motor City by head coach Frank Vogel.

Vogel explained why:

“I think the familiarity of last year is the first thing," Vogel said.

"Defensive versatility. Josh is someone that I view as somebody that can guard the other team’s primary ball handler and point guards, as well as body up with some of their big wings. So we have the ability to slide him from guarding [power forwards] to guarding point guards. That versatility is something that I value, and I love his game overall. His toughness, his energy, his motor - all those things."

Okogie is known for his tough defense, and Vogel (a defensive-minded coach himself) seems to appreciate that. The Suns already have some strong scoring in the lineup, so perhaps Okogie can be the defensive stop-gap alongside some of the game's top names.

Vogel will likely experiment and tinker with the lineup as the preseason continues. After today, the Suns will have four more games before the regular season begins on Oct. 24 in Golden State. 

Suns-Pistons is set to tip at noon Arizona time.