5. Are the playoffs still a realistic possibility in your eyes?
Bourguet: No. The Suns aren’t out of it despite their recent skid, but Phoenix has a brutal remaining schedule and dropping games to teams like the Timberwolves and Celtics just can’t happen. In contrast to the Suns, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s moves at the trade deadline will help them win right now. Kevin Durant’s foot is a concern, but with Russell Westbrook playing at an MVP level, the race for eighth may already be over.
Chasen: I mean technically, yes, because Durant is injured, but I’d be really surprised if this Suns team made the playoffs. The Suns have lost five games in a row, and they’ve gone just 1-8 in their last nine games, but there’s always a chance I guess. After all, the team has had three different four-game winning streaks this year, not to mention an additional six-game winning streak. In the words of Kevin Garnett, “ANYTHING IS POSIBLEEEEEEEEEEEE,” but probably not.
Hann: No. But unlike the case when Dragic and Thomas were on the team, missing the playoffs shouldn’t be meant with too much disappointment this season. Phoenix has become even younger (yes that was possible) and with that youth comes growing pains. The Suns plans were never tailored to win this year, instead the goal at the trade deadline was to create cap space to sign a star this offseason and start competing in the playoffs next year. Statistically speaking, the Suns are only three games back of the eighth spot in the Western Conference with 26 games to play, giving them more than a shot. Although based on the upward trajectory of the Thunder and the slump (1 win in last 9 games) the Suns are in, chances of playoff basketball in the desert are bleak. However, Phoenix has a brighter future than about 75% of the league and for that, Suns fans should feel extremely excited.
Saar: Unfortunately, probably not. Just with the schedule, giving up so much ground lately (seriously, losing to both Minnesota and Boston?). I’m an optimistic person, but it sure doesn’t look good for their chances. Oklahoma City keeps winning even though Durant is out. If he is out much longer, then they might have a chance, but don’t count on it.
Schall: Unfortunately for Suns fans everywhere, and those of us that would very much enjoy covering playoff basketball, I don’t think so. We’ve had two looks at the suddenly stacked Thunder and they’ve impressed in both despite being without the son of the real MVP, Kevin Durant. Enes Kanter posted 20 and 12 in his debut and looks like the missing piece as a fourth option and post presence. Russell Westbrook has played out of his mind over (which is saying something when the basic premise of Westbrook’s game is that he’s always out of his mind) the last month averaging 30.6 PPG, 10.1 AST, 7.9 REB per game. Oklahoma City has already upped their lead for the eighth spot to three games and when Durant comes back the Suns won’t be close again for the rest of the season. The early returns on this new Suns team haven’t been incredibly positive, the defense has been a sieve and the offense remains explosive, but prone to the lulls and iso-balls the trades were suppose to fix. Phoenix was never going to win the title this season, but the idea that they won’t end the season putting a scare into every Warriors fan in the country is kind of depressing.