Bright Side Baller: Washington loss highlights what’s broken with the Suns

A win is a win. Or is it?

Nothing’s ever easy for the Phoenix Suns, is it? They roll into Washington to face a team that’s practically waving the white flag at 6-32, and yeah, they handle business. A seven-point victory. Job done. Another win in the bag. That’s all you want right now, right? Stack the dubs, move on. They’re back to .500 at 20-20. Who cares how it happened?

Wrong.

Something’s got to give with this team. And yeah, I feel a little ridiculous dogging on a squad that just won. But here’s the deal: they led by 24 at one point. Twenty-four. And somehow, they let the Wizards — the Wizards, mind you — claw back to within three in the fourth quarter. That’s not just sloppy. That’s a thesis statement on what’s broken with this team.

The Suns flirt with success, and what happens? They lose focus. They get lazy. They start playing like they’re auditioning for the Harlem Globetrotters, flinging passes around like it’s a comedy routine. But here’s the rub: they’re not an entertainment act. They’re not out here for laughs, though, let’s be real, they’re inadvertently hilarious.

This isn’t a team that knows how to step on a neck and keep it there. Not yet. And until they figure that out, every win, even against the league’s basement dwellers, is going to come with a side of frustration.

Sixteen turnovers. Twenty-nine points for Washington as a result. You know what that screams? Live-ball turnovers. Lazy passes. Bad decisions. A red carpet rolled out for the Wizards to feast on easy buckets. Washington outscored Phoenix 32-13 in fast-break points, and that’s the stat. That’s the spotlight shining right on where the Suns need to get their act together.

And here we are again, hemming and hawing about what Phoenix needs to fix. It’s not rocket science. It starts inside. It’s edge. It’s attitude. It’s leadership that doesn’t tolerate drifting off mid-game. Someone who demands focus and punishes complacency.

So yeah, great job, Suns. You eked out a seven-point win against the worst team in the NBA. Clap it up. I’ve seen a lot of bad basketball this season, and trust me, the Wizards are terrible. But hey, you managed to make them feel good, look good, while making yourself look bad. Congrats.

That effort? It won’t fly against Detroit. That’s a team hungry to prove something. Meanwhile, the Suns? They’re just going through the motions, playing like a top seed coasting to the playoffs when, in reality, they’re clawing just to make the Play-In. It’s a joke. Pathetic.

Bright Side Baller Season Standings

Devin Booker adds another BSB to his shelf after dropping 35 against the Hawks, nestled between his 10 Player of the Week awards, 3 Player of the Month honors, and a 2018 Three-Point Contest trophy.

A tear gently slides down the corner of my eye as I gaze at this list. Mariah? Gone. Josh Okogie? He too has moved on. While we will forever cherish their contributions, their absence will be felt deeply. Josh takes with him his lone Bright Side Baller award, a symbol of his time here. Hold it high, JO. Show it to the world. Make us proud.

Bright Side Baller Nominees

Dry your eyes. You need to see the stats to help you with your vote!

Devin Booker

37 points (10-of-24, 4-of-10 3PT), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +14 +/-

Kevin Durant

23 points (8-of-16, 1-of-5 3PT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, +18 +/-

Grayson Allen

21 points (8-of-12, 5-of-7 3PT), 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, +6 +/-

Ryan Dunn

18 points (8-of-12, 2-of-3 3PT), 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, +4 +/-

Mason Plumlee

6 points (3-of-3 FG), 10 rebounds, 4 assists, +7 +/-

Tyus Jones

9 points (1-of-5, 1-of-3 3PT), 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, +16 +/-

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Who gets it?