Suns Reacts Survey: Who is to Blame for all of this?

Everyone is blaming different parties, so let’s discuss the true culprits at fault.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Phoenix Suns fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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The Phoenix Suns have been more than disappointing this season. With a record of 27-30, it is safe to say all of our high expectations are now gone. The hope that we had clung onto for this team going into this year has been slowly evaporating around us. With all that being said, the finger-pointing and blame game started in this fanbase before the season even finished. I find this hilarious, to be fair, but I understand why it is happening. The fall from grace of being in the Finals in 2021 to trading for Kevin Durant to push for the championship. To never be able to get back into the finals because of countless decisions is puzzling.

That is why, in today’s article, we will explore who is truly to blame.

Who is to Blame?

First, let’s figure out who we could even be mad at. The three parties that everyone is talking about are the coaching, the front office, and the players. When looking at these three categories, it makes sense to pin each one on blame.

The Players?

For the players, I mean, it is easy. They are the ones actually out there playing. They have to give the effort on both sides of the ball; they have to try and win. Regardless of the roster construction, if they want to succeed, they have to find a way, or it hinders them. If they fail, it limits their individual numbers. Also, it limits the types of contracts they can obtain in the future. Failing to work together as a team could also lead them to miss the playoffs or even the Play In. With them sitting at 11th in the West, it could end up that route.

In every game, you see the lack of defensive effort they put out there. You see the horrendous transition defense, one that makes you want to throw up when watching it. You see them getting a total of two assists in a quarter. It is just flat-out embarrassing at points. Though that is all true, they are not entirely at fault.

The Coaching?

The Suns’ tale is as old as time over recent years. They have a new coach every year. Will they make it four going into next year? Fans are seriously discussing that with how bad this season has gone. Not only have they had a new coach each season, but the new hire always fails at one aspect of the game.

This season, though, it has been at rock bottom. With coach Mike Budenholzer this team has seen new lows in the standings and every statistical category.

Not to mention coach Bud’s rotations are completely random at some points. Here are a sample of questions that you genuinely could ask him

• Why did it take this long for Tyus to get benched?
• Why does Mason play 10+ a night guaranteed?
• Why did it take for KD to be out for the THIRD time for you to try out Bol Bol?
• Why is Ryan now benched and not getting playing time as your best defender?

Looking back, Frank Vogel’s ability to have this team at the sixth seed with all the injuries was a miracle. We couldn’t even dream of that this year; we thought it was a disaster last year. It just shows how far we have moved back.

The Decision Makers?

The Suns front office has done a disastrous job building this team. Whoever has the job of making the final decision has really screwed up post-KD trade. The Suns mortgaged the whole future for Bradley Beal, who is a great player but showed issues with fit. Kevin Durant was previously on the Nets, who had a similar construction, yet the team failed to win a ring. Seem familiar, lol.

This cost the Suns their flexibility for the future but they also doubled down.

Last year, the Suns traded Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara for Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic. How did that go for the Suns?

Camara is the anchor of the Trail Blazers’ defense, and Ayton has dominated the Suns this season in every performance. Grayson Allen was solid last year for the Suns and earned an extension to come off the bench and be more efficient. Jusuf Nurkic was so bad that he got benched, received DNPs, and put the coach before being traded with a first-round pick to get off his contract.

Both of those trades have screwed the Suns but what even is worse is not only those moves have messed up the team. The Suns’ free agency moves have also been puzzling over the last years.

• Why resign Damion Lee if he is not going to play?
• Why bring Bol Bol back if he was just an emergency play? Then, when he does well now, why does he see limited minutes again?
• Where is the defense on this roster?
• Why do five guys play the same role on the roster?

They have had some good moves, but sadly, in a time like this, the bad ones overlook the good moves.

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Let us know who you blame below.

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