As the NBA season progresses, the Phoenix Suns find themselves in a playoff spot despite facing multiple injuries that have impacted their overall team performance. This has led to discussions about whether the Suns are the most disappointing team in the NBA this year.
Following the addition of Bradley Beal in the offseason to join stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, the Suns were touted as a potential ‘super team.’ Fans and analysts alike anticipated that the team would be a dominant force in the league. However, with a current record of 35-26 and a sixth-place position in the Western Conference, questions have arisen about whether they are falling short of expectations, especially considering the talent they possess.
Former NBA player and current ESPN NBA analyst JJ Redick weighed in on the debate, expressing his perspective on the Suns’ performance. Redick highlighted the impact of injuries on the team, stating, ‘I think the disappointing part to me is we haven’t seen enough of them [Suns] all healthy and together. Durant’s missed seven games, Booker’s missed 11 games, Beal has missed 29 games.’ He emphasized that the team’s ranking cannot be considered a disappointment given the significant number of games missed by key players.
Redick acknowledged that when the ‘Big 3’ of Durant, Booker, and Beal have been on the court together, the Suns have demonstrated their potential as a formidable team. He attributed the disappointment to the injuries rather than the performance of the star players when they have been able to play together.
While Redick does not fault the Suns for their on-court performance, he pointed out the challenges of constructing a team with three marquee stars, emphasizing the impact on the overall depth and skill of the roster. He stated, ‘We knew this coming into the season, this is the problem with building superteams. You are not going to have the depth to withstand one of your main guys getting hurt, especially in this conference.’
Currently, the Suns are dealing with the absence of one of their star players as Booker is sidelined for at least a week due to a right ankle sprain. Despite the setbacks, the team continues to navigate the challenges posed by injuries as they strive for success in the remainder of the season.
