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Phoenix Suns 5-on-5: Reviewing the first half of the season

By Jeffrey Sanders

Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) celebrates with forward P.J. Tucker (17) after a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Phoenix Suns 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) celebrates with forward P.J. Tucker (17) after a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Phoenix Suns 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) celebrates with forward P.J. Tucker (17) after a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Phoenix Suns 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

1. What are your first half thoughts on the team?

Gerald Bourguet: It’s starting to feel like something isn’t right with the Phoenix Suns. Are they a fun to watch League Pass delight because of how many close games they play? Sure. But for the fans who watch every game, it’s become almost unbearable to see this team struggle in late-game situations. It’s not fun seeing them come out flat. It’s not easy figuring out who should be a part of this team’s core past the 2015 NBA trade deadline and free agency this summer. This is one of the youngest teams in the league, so we should cut them a little slack, but the future doesn’t look as bright right now as it did a year ago with Phoenix in the middle of a 3-7 rut.

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Scott Chasen: Good, not great. The Suns have remained in playoff position, and that’s really something to be happy about, considering they started the year 12-14. If at that point, you told me they would win 61% of their remaining games I would’ve been shocked. If a team wins 61% of their games, they’d end the year at 50-32, and for the Suns to hold that pace over their last 28 games is pretty solid. Good, not great.

Spencer Hann: The Suns need defense, and need it now. Only the LA Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves are giving up more points a game than Phoenix (both give up 106.3). Not exactly a reassuring statistic for a playoff hopeful team. Even worse the Suns seem to surrendering points at the worst possible times. Phoenix has blown numerous double-digit leads this season and over their past 10 games, they have faced a double-digit first quarter deficit six times. At this time of year the intensity level in the NBA is raised considerably in anticipation of the playoffs, with defense becoming a much more valuable commodity. A commodity the Suns simply don’t have.

Eric Saar: Maybe it’s just me being optimistic, but I feel the Suns haven’t even hit their stride yet. They are still finding their groove. They are a very young team and seem to play better when their backs are against the wall. We’ll see if that translates to the “second half” of the season as it tends to in the second half of games.

Gavin Schall: That I probably shouldn’t be disappointed, but I kind of am. After losing the walking piece of chemistry and cohesion that is Channing Frye and essentially replacing him with yet another guard that needed the ball to be successful in Isaiah Thomas, this team on paper didn’t really make sense. And yet, the three guard lineups have worked. In a macro sense I’ve liked every move Ryan McDonough has made since letting Frye go and the Suns for all of their recent struggles still own a playoff spot in a ridiculous conference.

Next: Areas Phoenix Impressed

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