Evaluating The Phoenix Suns Heading Into All-Star Weekend
All-Star Break A Potential Savior?
Things look pretty grim for the Suns’ playoff hopes right about now. They’ve lost seven of their last 10 games, the offense has mostly sputtered over the last few weeks and Len will need to return completely healthy for this team to have any chance.
However, Phoenix’s record with a healthy Len suggests these Suns aren’t down and out by any means. A week off gives this young team a chance to recharge its batteries and batten down the hatches for the most critical stretch of the season.
As Hornacek pointed out, this process is new for a lot of these players.
“I’m starting to think that some of these guys obviously haven’t started — they’ve been through a full season, like take Markieff for example, this is the first year he’s been a starter and having to play 30 minutes and bang with the best guys on the other team night in and night out,” he said. “The break’s probably coming at a good time for these guys to get a break.”
Bledsoe also fits that category, along with Marcus Morris and Alex Len. Remember, Bledsoe was only named a starter in this league last year…and he only played 43 games because he got injured.
We’ve all seen rookies struggle in their first season at about the midway point when their bodies start to realize just how long an 82-game season is. With many of these players taking on vastly increased roles for the first time, perhaps the All-Star break will give them a chance to step away and revitalize for the homestretch.
Yes, it’s a lame excuse. But at this point in time, with the Suns in the middle of a 3-7 skid, it’s one of the few positives we can take. Then again, with a healthy Len and a full week off, perhaps it’s not quite time to doom the Phoenix Suns in the playoff race just yet.