Phoenix Suns play just well enough to lose again in Milwaukee.
Last night the Phoenix Suns felt the absence of Kevin Durant. And hell, Bradley Beal too. Give them credit. They fought. With role players like Collin Gillespie, Grayson Allen, and Nick Richards scrapping to make an impact, they tried to hold the line. But when over $100+ million in salary is sitting in street clothes, you’re going to feel it.
I don’t blame the young guys for their effort. In a way, it felt like a throwback. Devin Booker leading the charge with a band of misfits, playing hard, trying to will their way to a win. And losing.
This team still looks lost. Like explorers stranded in the wilderness, their guide slumped against a tree, swigging from an old bottle of rum, leaving them to stumble forward without direction.
And then there’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Your lack of size won’t stop him. Your skill won’t survive him. The Suns made their runs while he rested, but the moment he stepped back on the court, so too did Milwaukee’s control of the game.
If this had happened in the first 20 games of the season, it might’ve felt like a moral victory. A building block. But with fewer than 10 games left, those don’t matter anymore. The Suns played just well enough to lose. Again. Cool.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
For the first time this season, “other” gained some serious traction. 20% of the vote. After that inflating loss at the hands of the Houston Rockets, I can’t blame you.
Devin Booker won the vote, with 32%. But you could tell it was a Bright Side Baller that no one really earned. How can you give away an award in such a poor, gutless effort? Perhaps Mariah should have made her come back for that one.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Devin Booker
39 points (14-of-32, 3-of-11 3PT), 3 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 turnovers, -20 +/-
Grayson Allen
23 points (8-of-17, 6-of-13 3PT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -12 +/-
Collin Gillespie
18 points (6-of-12, 4-of-8 3PT), 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, -6 +/-
Tyus Jones
16 points (6-of-8, 4-of-6 3PT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 turnovers, +1 +/-
Nick Richards
13 points (4-of-8), 11 rebounds (9 offensive), 1 assist, 3 turnovers, -5 +/-
Cody Martin
6 points (3-of-3, 0-of-0 3PT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 turnovers, -5 +/-
And your winner is…
Listen to our latest podcast episode in the player below, and to stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the Suns JAM Session podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox.
Please subscribe, rate, and review.