Kevin Durant is the rudder of the Phoenix Suns’ ship, and without him, the team often appears adrift. Saturday night’s loss to the Miami Heat was another glaring example, dropping their record to 12-10 on the season and a dismal 1-8 in games Durant has missed.
It’s puzzling. With two maximum-contract players on the floor, you’d expect better results. Yet when Devin Booker and Bradley Beal combine for just 36 points and shoot a combined 1-of-12 from beyond the arc, success feels out of reach. The Suns lack an edge, a killer instinct that championship-caliber teams exude.
Is this merely a symptom of Durant’s absence, his leadership and gravity sorely missed? Or does the issue run deeper, exposing a more fundamental flaw in the team’s construction or mindset? Either way, the Suns look less like contenders and more like a team searching for its identity.
"They're frustrated, they're competitors. They want to win, but I think the locker room is in a good place."
Mike Budenholzer after Suns loss to Heat to drop to 12-10, 1-8 without Kevin Durant. #Suns pic.twitter.com/JfOj570pb4
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 8, 2024
The team faced the Miami Heat, who wore their City Edition uniforms emblazoned with the words “Heat Culture”, a nod to their deeply ingrained philosophy of winning. For the Suns, it served as a stark contrast, highlighting a team that has devolved into a collection of mercenaries, lacking the foundational culture needed for lasting success.
As fans, we’re left merely along for the ride, watching a team that feels unmoored.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings:
Royce O’Neale stole the spotlight on Thursday night, outshining both Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. While it’s encouraging to see him step up offensively in Durant’s absence, when O’Neale emerges as your best player over two stars like Booker and Beal, it signals far bigger problems for the team.
All right. Let’s figure out who should get the BSB for the 10-point loss in South Beach.
Devin Booker
21 points (6-of-16, 1-of-6 3PT), 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 turnovers, -9 +/-
Bradley Beal
15 points (5-of-18, 0-of-6 3PT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, -24 +/-
Tyus Jones
16 points (4-of-9, 3-of-7 3PT), 1 rebound, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 turnover, +-19 +/-
Royce O’Neale
23 points (8-of-15, 5-of-8 3PT), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -11 +/-
Who gets it this time?
Poll
Suns Culture. Who wins the Bright Side Baller this time?
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Devin Booker
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Bradley Beal
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Tyus Jones
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Royce O’Neale
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Mariah Carey
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Other (comment below)
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