In the minds of countless NBA fans and analysts this summer, the Phoenix Suns are on the short list of NBA contenders for the upcoming season. Suns legend Charles Barkley also has strong feelings about this former team but not all of them are positive.
“My Suns,” Barkley said on the Bill Simmons podcast. “They got no identity and no leadership. You gotta have a style of play. You gotta have leadership. The Suns have not proven they can do that yet. [Booker] is a terrific player. The whole dynamic of the team changed when KD and Beal came there. Now, they gotta have leadership. He’s (Booker) gotta take the leadership role. I think he’s reluctant because assume that KD’s the best player. Kevin has said he don’t want to be a leader. He just wants to play basketball.”
“I challenged Booker last year. It’s gotta be Booker,” said Chuck. “He’s gotta take a serious leadership role. People are gonna listen to him because he’s a great player, but he’s gotta become more of a leader. Gotta be more of a vocal leader. Then we’re gonna see what happens with the Suns.”
When it comes to the Suns, Barkley has a special interest in their success. During his 4-year stint with the franchise, he led them to prosperity in the West averaging 23.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 50.1% shooting. He won the MVP in 1993, the same year he took them to the NBA Finals for a matchup against Michael Jordan and the Bulls.
To this day, Barkley is a legend in the city and he’s widely considered to be one of the greatest Suns players in the franchise’s history. While he never was able to bring them a championship, he is still rooting for their success and frequently chimes in with his own advice for how they can improve.
When it comes to the modern-day Phoenix Suns, talent isn’t everything. On paper, they have one of the most stacked teams in the league with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal leading the way. They also have championship coach Mike Budenholzer as the voice in the locker room.
But after finishing 6th in the West last season, and getting swept in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, there are doubts that the Suns have enough depth and chemistry to make a legitimate title run.
Kevin Durant, 35, will begin his 18th season in October, and even if he stays healthy there’s no guarantee that he’ll continue to produce at an MVP level. Bradley Beal was always meant to be the third option for this team but after barely showing up at all last season, there are doubts that he can properly fill his role.
Put those concerns alongside a flawed and unproven supporting cast and it’s easy to understand why Barkley is unconvinced of the Suns as a favorite to come out of the West. As long as the Timberwolves, Thunder, Mavericks, and Nuggets stay healthy they will be the main pillars of the Conference.
In the end, it’s Devin Booker who will make the biggest difference. Coming off the 2023-24 campaign when he averaged 27.1 points per game, we know he can play like a top-five player in the league. The question is, can he be a leader of men and guide his team both on and off the floor in a way that maximizes their potential?
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