Bright Side Baller: Suns stumble against the Nets

No edge. No win.

Phoenix Suns. Brooklyn Nets. Downtown Phoenix. Thanksgiving Eve. Loss.

Can’t say we’re surprised, right? This is typical of the Suns. You feelin’ good? You think the team figured out a thing or two in their win over the Lakers? We are sooooo back, right? Wrong. Phoenix allows a Nets team that is without their top scorer and three other quality ancillary pieces to come into their house and win. And win easily.

Unfocused. Mentally weak. Thinking of the mac and cheese at Thanksgiving dinner?

Do you eat mac and cheese at Thanksgiving dinner? I don’t. My mom makes a killer cheese cauliflower dish that has you totting for days, and perhaps that’s why the thought of mac and cheese is foreign to me, at least on Turkey Day.

Whatever the reason, Phoenix allowed a Nets team to impose their will, and while the Suns were jogging, Brooklyn was sprinting. Run off the court but a young team. It’s not going to be the last time we say that this year. There are plenty of young teams in the NBA, and for the old Suns, it’ll happen again.

Don’t hit me with that “The Suns were on the second night of a back-to-back” excuse. It feels like every time a team rolls into Phoenix under the same circumstances, they treat the Suns like a bowl of potatoes. Mash ‘em up. Meanwhile, we rationalize it with, “Well, they played last night, so they’re still locked in and riding the rhythm.”

No, it’s not the end of the season, but it is a mile marker worth noting. Once again, this team shows a glaring lack of the edge needed to contend for a championship. They lack the mental toughness to handle business when it matters most.

Oh, and Bradley Beal tweaked his ankle. Yay.

Bright Side Baller Season Standings:

Plenty of Suns contributed to their win over the Lakers on Tuesday, but only one could win the Bright Side Baller. With 26 points and 10 assists, it was Devin Armani Booker, who takes down his 4th BSB of the season. And that’s not Backstreet Boys.

And now, the nominees for last night’s loss. The Big Three poured in 78 of the team’s points, leaving no room for blame to fall on their shoulders. Instead, the spotlight shifts to a glaring imbalance: Phoenix’s bench was outscored 54-23, a disparity that not only highlights a lack of depth but also underscores the team’s overreliance on its stars.

For that reason, the Big Three are our only nominees. And Mariah Carey.

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Kevin Durant

30 points (10-of-18, 3-of-6 3PT), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 7 turnovers, -2 +/-

Devin Booker

31 points (8-of-18, 3-of-9 3PT), 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 turnovers, -9 +/-

Bradley Beal

17 points (8-of-14, 1-of-2 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 1 twisted ankle, -23 +/-

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Cast your vote and enjoy your Thanksgiving.