The Phoenix Suns were tabbed as a legitimate championship contender last offseason, and some were even picking them to reach the NBA Finals.
Superficially, it seemed to make sense, as they traded for star guard Bradley Beal over the summer and teamed him up with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
But even though the Suns defeated the defending world champion Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, they’re only in sixth place in the Western Conference, and there is an uneasiness surrounding the team as the playoffs slowly approach.
Nick Wright said on Fox Sports 1’s “First Things First” that the Suns have been a disappointment, especially relative to the expectations that have surrounded them ever since they traded for Durant a year ago at midseason.
“I don’t think anyone believes in the Suns. I don’t think anyone looks at them as even a B-list contender. It’s very disappointing for what they could be or what they were supposed to be,” Wright said.
"I don't think anyone believes in the Suns. I don't think anyone looks at them as even a B-list contender. It's very disappointing for what they could be or what they were supposed to be."
— @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/eOpcqBGgUw
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 6, 2024
Some may say Phoenix doesn’t have a great record because Beal and Booker have missed stretches of action, but they have still had enough talent on the floor all season long to win the vast majority of their games.
Despite hiring a defensive guru in head coach Frank Vogel, they’re a mediocre defensive team, and their offense isn’t very impressive either.
The Suns have had lots of trouble holding onto fourth-quarter leads, and on Tuesday, they nearly blew a solid lead in the closing minutes before recovering to win in overtime.
Perhaps roster construction is to blame — they don’t have a real point guard or floor general, and despite their talent, they’re just 20th in fast-break points per game.
Make no mistake: There is a tremendous amount of pressure on the Suns franchise to win it all now since they traded away almost all of their draft capital to assemble their current squad.
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