...
By Ricardo Sandoval
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Phoenix Suns were one of the most disappointing teams in the league last season. Despite having a flurry of stars on the roster, the Suns failed to make the play-in tournament last season.
More news: Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns Claps Back at Reports of Offseason Surgery
Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were at the forefront of the team last season. Despite that talent on the team, the Suns were only able to collect 37 wins on the season. It was undoubtedly a disappointing season, which led to the team trading Durant prior to the start of the offseason.
Read More on Sports
Now Booker, alongside Beal, will look to lead this Suns team, which is heading into the season with little to no expectations. On paper, it appears that it will be another long season in the Valley of the Sun.
The Suns' media day was on Wednesday, and while appearing on The Burns & Gambo Show, Booker got real about his last handful of seasons in Phoenix.
The 28-year-old didn't hold back on the last handful of seasons and compared them to the year they went on the Finals run.
"A lot has to go wrong for it to fall off that drastically," Booker said. "But I think it makes you appreciate more the details of the game, the chemistry of the game, the relationships that matter off the court. You've seen with our Finals team the vibe and the energy was totally different. I don't want to thrash the last couple years, but they have been the hardest of my career."
Since drafting Booker in 2015, the Suns have been one of the worst teams in the league. However, they appeared to turn the corner in the Bubble, and they entered the 2020-21 season with vengeance.
The Suns, led by Booker that season, went on an incredible run to the Finals that year and were two wins away from being crowned NBA champions. Since that season, the Suns have made the playoffs three times and have won only two series.
Phoenix missed the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
Booker is loyal to the team that took him in the lottery. There were many instances when he could have left, but he chose to stay.
He showed his loyalty by signing a massive two-year, $145 million contract extension in July. The deal includes a player option for the 2029-30 season.
The Suns may not be a playoff team this season, but it appears the four-time All-Star is in it for the long haul.
More news: Warriors Expected to Sign 4 Top Free Agents
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines