NBA Digital Disciple Series: 5 Learnings from the Phoenix Suns

30 teams. 7 weeks. 2 bloggers. 1 mission: to share our learnings of how NBA teams uniquely leverage digital tools to build fan community.

As students, or disciples of the game, we'll supply you with the doctrine - 5 takeaways per team plus one way to make that even better. Then, we'll wrap it up, pick a winner, and send you on your way.

We've taken you on a 5 week journey, covering the NJ Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards,Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers, NY Knicks, New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, OKC Thunder, Charlotte Bobcats, San Antonio Spurs,Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trailblazers, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Atlanta Hawks.

It's time for Week 6. Hope you're ready!

Let's take a look at the digital connections made by the Phoenix Suns (Link here)

1. The Suns Blog Networks

The Suns have a pretty revolutionary approach to blogging. When you click on their blog network, you go here. You're dropped into a visually powerful system that merges athletes, coaches, front office, dancers, and analysts all into one system. I like that set up as it eliminates a good chunk of the pressure that one person has to keep their blog up to date. Blogging is a team effort for the Suns and that team extends beyond the court. Simply click on one of the tabs on the left and you filter the blog to open up their posts...

This network also includes official fan blogger Adam Beechen (here). I'll zoom in a little below so you get a feel for what this looks like, and why this becomes insanely cool if you are chosen as that Official Fan Blogger!

Plus One: There are close to 20 bloggers here. That's depth. But the challenge becomes putting out a schedule -- so that fans know what to expect, and when. Tune in for your favorite commentator!

2. Turn Yourself Orange

Who says the internet can't be a place to ignite fan spirit? The Suns want fans to turn themselves (the virtual versions of themselves) orange. Check it out here or below -- the Suns give you a step-by-step guide to making yourself Orange... and then branding it!

Plus One: This is an interesting one. I'd love to see some form of prestige given to those who not only paint themselves up, virtually, for the Suns, but also get others to do this. This could be determined by a measure of how Orange your friend network is? Once we know not only who is orange but who gets those around them to also be orange, we need to celebrate this! That's love!

3. Suns on Twackle

Not everyone may know what Twackle is. It started as a system to aggregate Tweets that are around a similar topic in the world of sports. The Suns tapped into this, linked here. (I also liked that it was called "Suns Tweets...", which gets around those who wouldn't know what they were getting!) You'll also note on the left hand side of the page a nice breakout of all of the Suns Twitter accounts, filtered by category (players, coaches, dancers, etc.)

Plus One: I think the power of this is on the right hand side: Top Trends for this feed. This is the most talked about topics inside the universe of the Suns. Now, how can you take those topics and elevate them into a higher spot on the Suns site? Elevating the most timely messages will make the site update... and addicting.

4. The Suns on Twitter

If you're just interested in following the Suns on Twitter, rather than checking out the latest beat of the fan base, click no further than right here. You'll see a very well designed page that gives you the latest posts from the players, along with quick access to all Suns Twitter feeds. Really well done.

Plus One: Develop times where fans can go to Suns.com and, from the comforts of the page shown above, ask questions of players or front office personnel. Things are dynamic and the connection between players and fans grows stronger!

5. Planet Orange Fan Art

This is surprising and interesting. As you can see here, the Suns have created a gallery where fans can submit their own artwork on the squad (images, drawings, photos, or more).

Clicking into one of the pictures shows you that this system enables fans to take this art, download it as wallpapers, or share it with others. I love the concept of building an artistic community around the team. Really smart!


Plus One: I'd love to see this evolve into a partnership in the community. Work with schools to develop artwork on the team, then elevate it onto the site and into the arena. There is something powerful about taking this artistic starting point and expanding it into a community moment!

That's it for today, but this journey isn't done yet!

Follow along with us on Twitter. He's@peter_r_casey. And I'm @pawlow34. Tune in tomorrow as Peter Robert Casey profiles the Orlando Magic (here).

Andy