After a surprising 109-104 loss to the Blazers, frustration within the Phoenix Suns’ ranks surfaced as veteran guard Eric Gordon called out his teammates for what he perceives as a lack of unselfishness and defensive commitment.
“Yeah, you know, this has been a little disappointing, how we’ve been playing, you know, clearly both ends of the floor. You know, we’ve got to get back to playing like, you know, I think we just need to be more real with ourselves and have unselfish mindsets in these games.”
“With the type of talent we have, like I’ve always said, scoring 130 should be a norm for us. The only way you do that is by competing on defense, trying to get easier shots.”
“We’ve got a lot of good guys on this team, but there needs to be a lot more of them together to get to where we want to be.”
"We just need to be more real with ourselves into having an unselfish mindset going into games."
Eric Gordon after #Suns 109-104 loss to #Blazers.
"We got a lot of good guys on this team, but there needs to be more, a lot more togetherness to get to where we want to be." pic.twitter.com/H2BLB7XMPO
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 20, 2023
Expressing his disappointment with the team’s recent performances on both ends of the floor, Gordon emphasized the need for a more unselfish mindset. He pointed out that, given the team’s talent, scoring 130 points should be the norm, provided they focus on competing on defense and generating easier shots.
Gordon acknowledged the individual talent of the Suns but stressed the importance of cohesive teamwork to achieve their collective goals. He emphasized that dominating games and maintaining control throughout should be the team’s objective, lamenting the fact that they haven’t been able to do so consistently this season.
While the Suns rank 12th in the league for assists per game, demonstrating their ability to share the ball, the lack of consistent dominance and struggles with injuries and defense have hindered their performance.
The Suns, with a record of 14-13, have struggled in their last 10 games, going 3-7. Gordon’s frustration likely stems from the team’s inability to perform at the level many expected, given the star-studded lineup featuring Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. Unfortunately, injuries to Beal have prevented the trio from playing together, disrupting the team’s chemistry.
Gordon’s candid remarks underscore the urgency for the Suns to address these issues and find a way to gel as a team to meet the high expectations set for them this season.
Kevin Durant Wants His Teammates To Play Smarter And Be Patient
Kevin Durant, expressing his thoughts after the disappointing loss to the Blazers, emphasized the importance of playing smarter and being patient in executing offensive plays.
“Whatever we do, we got to get into it without putting too much pressure on ourselves late in the clock. Whatever action we in, we try to get into it with 15, 16, 14 on the clock as opposed to 10, 8 on the clock and that just, you know, relieves a little bit more pressure off of us.”
“So regardless of what the shot is, I think we got to just get on the floor a little quicker and get to our actions faster and simplify it.”
"Whatever we do, we got to get into it without putting too much pressure on ourselves late in the clock. Whatever action we in, we try to get into it with 15, 16, 14 on the clock as opposed to 10, 8 on the clock."
Kevin Durant after #Suns loss to #Blazers. pic.twitter.com/U4b7fGC5D1
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 20, 2023
Durant stressed the need for the team to approach actions with more time on the shot clock, aiming for an earlier initiation at around 15 to 16 seconds. This strategy, according to Durant, would alleviate the pressure on the team and contribute to a more fluid offensive rhythm.
Durant’s insights reflect a desire for efficiency and precision in the team’s offensive execution. By urging his teammates to get into action more promptly and simplify their approach, Durant aims to optimize their offensive possessions and create higher-percentage scoring opportunities.
Despite the challenges and frustrations of recent losses, Durant remains optimistic about the team’s potential for improvement. He acknowledges the daily grind of the NBA, emphasizing the significance of perseverance and unity. Kevin Durant sees adversity as an opportunity for the team to strengthen its togetherness, overcome challenges, and continue building toward success.
The focus on continuous improvement and resilience reflects Durant’s leadership and commitment to the team’s long-term growth.
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