Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Phoenix Suns‘ season came to an end Tuesday night after a lifeless 112-101 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers. It was a fitting end to a team that seemingly gave up hope. The Suns saw themselves fall to a forgettable 39-43, losing 10 of their final 11.
The Suns entered the season full of hype and playoff aspirations after coach Jeff Hornacek transformed a team of no-names expected to be a cellar dweller into a team that nearly clinched a playoff berth in the loaded Western Conference last season. It all came crashing down quickly, resulting in Phoenix’s fifth-straight playoff absence.
The simple fact is that the Suns lack the elite players to take the next step. The NBA is dominated by teams with two or three superstars. Phoenix currently has one or zero on their roster and hasn’t sent a player to the All-Star game since the 2011-12 season.
Eric Bledsoe flirts with All-Star potential and Markieff Morris came into his own this season to play like a top power forward, but when the organization panicked after being held hostage by Goran Dragic, the season came crashing down.
The Suns missed a large chunk of their scoring ability when Dragic and Isaiah Thomas were traded. The duo combined for an average of 32 points per game for Phoenix. After the trade, the team dramatically changed the scheme and forced Bledsoe to run the show by himself midway through the season.
In attempts to stop the bleeding of the Dragic debacle, the organization traded for proclaimed star Brandon Knight. In a seemingly poetic way, Knight was injured after only appearing in 11 games for Phoenix. Further, former No. 5 overall selection Alex Len hasn’t played like a top draft pick.
Bledsoe averaged 17 points, six assists, five rebounds and 1.5 steals a game this season. It’s worth noting that only LeBron James, James Harden and Russell Westbrook could be included in that category. This season alone, the point guard posted 13 double-doubles and two triple-doubles. Unfortunately, his near four turnover average and cruise-control mentality are worrisome. In other words, he possesses the skills but currently lacks the leadership to carry the team.
Ultimately it was the lack of heart that pulled the plug on the season. Forced shots and blown assignments became a regular occurrence. The team lived up to its notorious lack of defense moniker. There was no camaraderie. There was no passion. There was no ownership. Morris even had the audacity to place blame on the fans instead of accepting it after a poor performance, a game in which the team only scored 24 first-half points.
Last season they were a team. They played like they had nothing to lose, had fun and showed fight on the court. This year’s squad couldn’t have been more different.
Phoenix now has gaping holes to fill. This offseason has the ability to be a tumultuous one. Knight is a free agent after the season, as well as fan-favorite Gerald Green. But like Dragic, Green has become quite critical of the organization and would most likely decline a return despite being accepted back.
Hornacek’s job security will most likely come into question, undeserving or not. Owner Robert Sarver will need a scapegoat, even though questionable preseason and in-season trades, contract debacles and a vast decline in performance can easily be traced back to him.
It’s time for the team and owner to step up and take initiative. The fans deserve a team that will own their mistakes, learn from them and build upon them. The roster needs beef. It’s looking for a leader. Bledsoe and Morris both have potential, but they need help. Plenty of big names will be hitting the market. For a team with one of the highest winning percentages in NBA history (.552) and no championships to show for it, it’s time to open up the pocketbook and bring one home.
