On First Take today, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith voiced his concerns with the Phoenix Suns (now 2-3) because of their star players missing games.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Devin Booker (left ankle sprain) made his return to the court in last night’s loss to the Spurs after missing the last three games. Bradley Beal has yet to play this season with low back spasms and will be out tomorrow as well. However, Kevin Durant has played every game (and heavy minutes at that).
“The only reason why we thought about Phoenix really, really making some noise this season is because we expected this three-headed monster offensively to be on the court together,” Smith said. “Now, there’s some serious question marks as to when or if that’s gonna happen. I think that’s problematic.”
.@stephenasmith is CONCERNED that the Suns' star players are missing games:
"The only reason why we thought about Phoenix really, really making some noise this season is because we expected this three-headed monster offensively to be on the court together." pic.twitter.com/EesDXlFfkv
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 3, 2023
Even with Booker and Durant on the court together last night, Smith doesn’t feel like the duo is enough to get Phoenix over the hump.
“In the end what it ccmes down to, the two of them together aren’t expected to be enough,” Smith said. “Denver showed us that in the postseason last year. In order to overcome some of the competition that’s out West, you’re anticipating that Bradley Beal is going to be on the court. But now, if we can anticipate that.
“Injuries, injuries, injuries. That’s what we’re talking about with the Phoenix Suns. Do they have the intestinal fortitude in whatever else it is to be on the court together healthy to make a postseason run? Because I got news for you, they’re going to need to be.”
He added that Devin Booker and Kevin Durant alone aren’t even beating the Lakers or Clippers.
Booker is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game despite his return yesterday, while Beal, as mentioned above, will be out. The Suns square off against the Philadelphia 76ers on the road at 10 a.m. MST tomorrow.
It is only five games into the season, however, and there is a ton that can change by the playoffs in April. Beal’s back could be a concern if he is still out later in the season, but it seems as if the Suns just want him completely healthy and don’t want to rush him back.
As for if Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are enough, the Suns have 12 total newcomers, so it is almost impossible to tell how the rest of the team will come together this early into the season. Adding veterans like Eric Gordon and Grayson Allen off the bench is an element the Suns didn’t have last year.
Do you agree with Stephen A. Smith?
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
