The Phoenix Suns, the NBA’s most-expensive-to-operate team, posted an NBA-worst 13-69 season. Their struggles culminated in a highly unusual and disappointing outcome: they missed the playoffs. With a record of 35-45, the team has transitioned from last season’s promising 49-33 performance to one of the league’s lowest standings. The Suns’ struggles follow a series of high-profile acquisitions, including superstars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, yet they have not yielded the expected results.
The 2021-22 season started off extremely favorable for the Suns, who shot out of the gate at an 8-1 clip. Things turned in a big way their way once Durant pulled his calf. This injury initiated a downward spiral that the team was never able to bounce back from, even after his return. As the season wore on, the Suns couldn’t maintain the pace. New Orleans’ hopes for a late postseason run evaporated with a 125-112 defeat against the undermanned Oklahoma City Thunder.
Devin Booker is the Phoenix Suns’ best player. Since joining the Suns a decade ago, he has been the one immovable object, and he is the only player whose future with the franchise seems any longer than ephemeral. Looking back on such a steep drop off in performance, he was visibly frustrated and honestly quite upset about what has transpired.
“There’s no answer for it, there’s no words for it,” – Devin Booker
The Suns dealt with a ton of roster turnover and immense expectations last season. Yet they were still unfortunately swept out in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, which only seemingly cements this awful franchise season’s fate. Despite the uncertainty, Booker recognizes that there’s a tough road ahead for the team. He stresses that their failing has come from a variety of reasons—not one cause.
“There’s not one thing or one person or one player or one coach that’s the problem,” – Devin Booker
With the future of the franchise in question, changes to top decision-making and the team’s roster seem likely in the months ahead. In his post-season address, head coach Mike Budenholzer acknowledged the emotional rollercoaster of the season for players and fans as well.
“It’s pretty raw right now, it’s pretty fresh,” – Mike Budenholzer
Booker painted a pretty picture of a better past for the team. He thought back to the team’s run to the 2021 NBA Finals, when they fought valiantly against the Milwaukee Bucks but lost in six games. That harsh juxtaposition is a quick reminder that in the world of professional sports, riches and ruin can sometimes be separated by a heartbeat.
As the Suns prepare for an uncertain offseason, they must confront their disappointing performance and consider what steps are necessary to reclaim their competitive edge in the league. Important changes may soon take effect. Until then, fans will be waiting to see how this historic franchise addresses its future obstacles.
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