Something is wrong with the Phoenix Suns. After making a Finals run in 2021, the team has suffered a number of concerning collapses… including against the Dallas Mavericks in last season’s NBA playoff bracket.
More recently, the Suns fell victim to a 25-point rout on their home floor, where Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke combined for 48 points.
After the game, the bleeding continued for Devin Booker, who was publicly and privately called out by Dillon Brooks. While he was a no-show for the game against Memphis, Brooks made sure to give him an extra incentive to show up for the next one:
“I told him I really wanted him. And I told him, too, so I hope he plays in the M [Memphis] so I can guard him because he ain’t scoring 50 on me.”
Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks told @DamichaelC he talked trash to the injured Devin Booker, who was in street clothes on Suns bench:
“I told him I really wanted him. And I told him, too, so I hope he plays in the M (Memphis) so I can guard him because he ain’t scoring 50 on me.”
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) December 24, 2022
Fortunately for us fans, the Suns and Grizzlies will meet again just two days after Christmas, so we won’t have to wait long for that rematch. If Devin Booker plays, it will be interesting to see how he shows out after being challenged by Brooks.
Has The Championship Window Closed For The Suns?
The Suns lack the intimidating presence that teams like the Grizzlies and Bucks have seemingly made their identity. The truth is, after getting exposed in last year’s playoffs, nobody is scared of the Suns anymore, and teams are lining up for the chance to hand them a loss.
Deandre Ayton himself admitted that to be the case this season.
“Mainly just communicating,” the Suns big man told Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “Teams are using smaller guys at different positions, and they’re putting the ball on the ground, making our defense move and getting in the paint. When I go, there’s another big dude rebounding the ball and just crashing the glass and finishing in the paint. And we’re doing a lot of fouling. Playing a lot of defense and it’s putting pressure on our offense. It’s kind of hard to get into a rhythm on offense because we play so much defense and we’re fouling. All that stuff is deflating, man, and mental as hell. We could say a lot. But really man, we just gotta approach these games knowing that teams are coming to knock our head off our body, bro. Defensive-wise, I just think we need to communicate more and play hard. We just gotta be more connected. The teams we see on film aren’t the teams we play — they’re playing harder and with a chip on their shoulder against us.”
How the Suns respond to adversity will be a big test of their resolve this season. If they can block out the noise and focus on getting their team right, there is a path that leads to them re-taking their place at the top of the West.
Until then, they’ll have to endure the endless trash talk from their haters and competitors. Tuesday night’s rematch vs. Memphis will give the Suns a chance to make a huge statement…
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