Is there a cause for concern regarding the Phoenix Suns’ slow start to the season?
Coming off one of the most surprising NBA Finals runs in recent history, it was going to be interesting to see what the Phoenix Suns had as an encore heading into the 2021–22 NBA season.
When crafting Western Conference standings predictions, it would’ve been surprising to see anyone envisioning the Suns finishing out of the top three or four of the conference. In fact, many expected the Suns to replicate what day did last year during the regular season and probably finish as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the conference.
However, one week into the season, the Suns have been everything but that dominating regular season team that many expected to see at the start of the year. The Suns are 1-2 through three games and are sporting a bottom-5 defense and a pedestrian offense.
Contributing to their team troubles have been the inconsistent play of Devin Booker, who is averaging just 18 points per game on sub-40 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Deandre Ayton has seen a dip in his early-season averages too and an argument can be made that their most consistent player this season thus far has been Mikal Bridges.
With all due respect to Bridges, but if he’s your most consistent player it’s not a good sign. Especially if you have championship aspirations.
The big question for the Suns is whether this slow start can be chalked up to an NBA Finals hangover or whether there’s something more to be concerned about.
But we’re just going to need to see more games in order to make a proper conclusion. The inconsistent play of everyone on the roster is certainly concerning. Booker, specifically, absolutely has to play better if the Suns are going to have any chance at repeating as West champs.
The good news is that the schedule should soften up – the Suns have played the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers to open the season. But Phoenix still has to shake off this uneasy start to the year.
The Suns could very well reel off 10 straight and no one will remember this slow start, or even talk about it. But you can’t help feel a little anxious about the Suns right now – especially with everything that’s surrounding this team off-the-court, between Ayton’s contract situation to their owner.
If Booker can’t shake off this cold start or if Chris Paul misses any kind of time due to injury, there’s a good chance that the Suns could take a big tumble down the West standings.
The Suns need to get back on track, get some of their mojo from last year back, and relay the message that they’re still very much a contender this season. If Phoenix can’t do that quickly, you can’t help but feel like there is much more to this slow start than just a hangover from last season.