The Phoenix Suns added Bradley Beal last offseason to make a big three with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. It was a move that shook up the Western Conference and gave the Suns high expectations after losing to the Nuggets in the second round.
However, health has been a concern for Phoenix this season with Beal only playing in 32 of the Suns’ 61 games thus far. The Suns are on the cusp of falling into the play-in tournament with a half-game lead over the Kings for the sixth spot in the Western Conference.
Harrison Sanford and Danny Green of Audacy’s “Inside the Green Room” podcast explained why they think the Suns are pretenders as the regular season enters the home stretch.
“Danny, I cannot believe it. I cannot believe it. A team with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. I am convinced enough to say they are pretenders. I just don’t see it, Danny. I think they’re a pretender,” Sanford said (14:20 in player above). “They don’t have a great fourth-quarter offense. They don’t have a true point guard. And they’re going to be a play-in team. That’s a recipe for disaster. If I can’t see you in the Western Conference Finals you’re not a contender. And I don’t see the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals.”
The Suns made a run to the NBA Finals in 2021 where they lost to the Bucks in six games. They’ve regressed since then, losing in seven games in the second round in 2022 before Denver ousted them in six games last year.
“I’m with you on that, man. I agree, but it’s not entirely their fault. I feel like they haven’t got enough time. Well, they had enough time but not enough time with their three healthy,” Green said (16:30 in player above). “This big three have had more minutes than James (Harden), Kyrie (Irving), and KD, but still, not enough reps to see what they really look like. That’s not a good sign coming into the playoffs.
“You’re only a month away from playoffs, basically, a month and a half way from playoffs. So for you to have your big three in and out, not have a true point guard, unfortunately, it’s hard to see them in the Western Conference Finals so I can’t say they’re in contention.”
Green does think that this group has what it takes if they’re able to stay together and get more reps. But that won’t happen this year.
“This year is just not their year,” he said. “They had too many injuries, too many guys out, not enough rhythm, not enough flow.”