After finishing first in the West, the Phoenix Suns were burdened with great expectations ahead of the playoffs. Unfortunately, the team failed to get very far, losing to Dallas in the second round in what became a huge upset.
Speaking on the loss, Phoenix swingman Mikal Bridges called the series an ’embarrassment.’
(via The Old Man & the Three):
“Didn’t think that would happen especially Dallas. I haven’t lost to them, the Suns haven’t lost to them in years. So it’s just like every time we play them “we have their number, we have their number” Then the motherfuckers got us.”
“It’s going to be known every time somebody talks about a Game 7, you just know it’s gonna be thrown there. I don’t know if it set a record or anything like that, so if it did set a record, then you’re really gonna see it all the time. But other than that, whenever it’s Game 7 or just playoffs in general … You know all they remember is going to be that Game 7 … When you’re getting ready for next year, all they’re going to talk about was, ‘You remember what happened in Game 7?’ I was embarrassed, it sucks.”
The loss by the Suns is probably the biggest shock of the playoffs so far. They looked so dominant all season long and had the best record in the league (by far).
To lose to a young, inexperienced, and less talented Dallas team brings their collapse to an entirely different level:
“Ain’t nobody afraid of anybody over there in Phoenix,” said Patrick Beverley on the Suns. “Everybody in the league knows that, bro. But y’all don’t know that ‘cuz y’all not in the locker room. No one’s afraid of Phoenix. We wanted them. We [the Timberwolves] wanted them. No one’s afraid of Phoenix. I talked to some teammates, I ain’t gonna say who—I’m gonna say who, forget it, I talked to Paul George last night—ain’t nobody scared of them. But if you face Dallas? You ain’t scared of Dallas, but man, you’ve got to get your game right when you play Luka [Doncic]. I’m just being honest.” (h/t Bleacher Report)
It’s hard to see where the Suns go from here. Do they keep their core intact? Will they keep their trust in Monty Williams? Whatever the case, it’s clear that something needs to change for the Suns if they want to avoid another embarrassing finish next year.
We will see soon enough how they respond to their crushing defeat and if they can recover after such a disappointing run.
