The Phoenix Suns suffered an ugly 117-90 loss to the Denver Nuggets, dropping to .500 on the season. We’re here to break down what went wrong and what it means for the team going forward.
• We’re exhausted talking about this team. It’s been the same story for three years now - injuries, malaise, and pointing fingers.
• The problems run deeper than just health. Even with Kevin Durant playing, the team shouldn’t be losing by 27 points.
• The offense looks stagnant and reminiscent of last year. The ball is sticking with Durant and Beal, with little movement or involvement from others.
• Tyus Jones and Monté Morris combined for only 3 assists in the competitive part of the game. That’s not why they were brought in.
• The Suns’ interior defense is a major weakness. Jusuf Nurkić and Mason Plumlee looked overmatched against Nikola Jokić.
• We’re questioning the team’s identity and commitment to a gameplan. They took only 33 three-pointers compared to the Nuggets’ 41, despite Denver being one of the lowest volume three-point shooting teams.
• It might be time to shake up the rotation. Playing guys like Bol Bol or going small could provide a spark.
• James Jones deserves blame for constructing a roster that keeps losing in similar ways, regardless of who’s coaching.
• We’re not ready to completely give up on the season, but our expectations have been significantly lowered. A deep playoff run seems unlikely at this point.
• The team needs to decide how it wants to play and commit to that identity. Right now, it looks like five players at the park who’ve never played together before.
• Bradley Beal struggled to create separation and finish at the rim. This was the first game where he looked noticeably older.
• The Suns’ perimeter defense is also a concern, especially when facing teams with skilled big men.
• We’re still holding out hope for when the team is fully healthy, but the issues seem to go beyond just missing players.
• There’s no easy fix. Even potential trades for players like Jimmy Butler might not solve the underlying problems.
• We’re giving our listeners a Christmas gift - no episode tomorrow. Take a break from thinking about the Suns until game time on Wednesday.
Remember, it’s just a bad day, not a bad life. The season isn’t over yet, but major changes are needed if the Suns hope to turn things around and make a playoff push.
