Pride? Don’t go looking in the Phoenix locker room.
Something interesting happened late in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves that neatly sums up the season. And no, silly, I’m not referring to the abominable brand of basketball displayed by an ersatz group of professionals during the second half. By this time in the game, most respectable Phoenix Suns fans had either left the arena, turned off the television, or slipped the paper bag over their heads, so you’re forgiven if you missed it.
I’m referring to the two-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
Bradley Beal had just been whistled for a clear path foul, and Anthony Edwards was shooting two free throws. After sinking the second freebie, he proceeds to dance under the basket all by his lonesome. And you will never believe who confronted him over it.
No one.
That’s right. The Suns, including all three stars, just walked back into their halfcourt defensive set. Not a soul issued a peep to Edwards—at least not in any way noticeable. Not Devin Booker, who, sources say, talks a lot. Not Kevin Durant, who is the kid’s idol. No one could be bothered to show a little pride and tell him they won’t stand for his little celebratory dances on their home court.
When the Michigan football team tried to plant its flag on the Ohio State logo after its upset road win on November 30, a brawl broke out. These Suns don’t even have the pride of college kids.
Then there was the showboat dunk attempt by Edwards exactly 25 seconds later, who was full-on clowning the Suns by this point. And then there was the late dunk by Leonard Miller instead of holding the ball and running out the clock like teams commonly do at the end of games. Violating that unwritten rule usually gets some kind of rise out of an opponent.
Usually.
When did this team become the Kendall Marshall meme? It’s bad enough watching them show no fight in a basketball game, but for the love of God, have some pride as men. But even that’s asking too much from a team possessed of all the fortitude of a Ziploc baggie filled with pudding.
Thinking back on Suns history, on players like Ricky Sobers and Maurice Lucas, on Mark West and Danny Ainge and Raja Bell — heck, on Chris Paul — the Suns always had at least one guy who would step into a situation such as that one yesterday. The guy who lets it be known that you might beat us, but you won’t disrespect us. The guy who takes pride not just in the name on the back of the jersey but the name on the front.
This team? Hard to know what they care to fight for.
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