Phoenix Suns: 5 Reasons To Stop Being Depressed

By Gerald Bourguet | Mar 5, 2015

Feb 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) shoots the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Suns won 110-96. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

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Phoenix Suns

Mar 4, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) is held back on the line by Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) and forward Brandan Wright (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Phoenix Suns won 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Things haven’t been so great in the Valley of the Sun over the last few weeks.

It all started with fan favorite Goran Dragic revealing he wouldn’t re-sign with the Phoenix Suns as a free agent this summer, prompting general manager Ryan McDonough to start conjuring up moves 48 hours before the trade deadline.

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At that climactic trade deadline, the Suns dealt away Dragic, Isaiah Thomas, Tyler Ennis, Miles Plumlee and Zoran Dragic. They got Brandon Knight in return, but the only other additions — other than draft picks — were Marcus Thornton and Danny Granger (who has yet to report to the team).

It felt like the door was closing on the Suns’ playoff hopes, especially since the Oklahoma City Thunder won their first game coming out of the All-Star break to snatch the eighth playoff spot in the West away from Phoenix.

The adjustment period hasn’t been pretty. Gerald Green‘s value and minutes have fallen off a cliff. The Suns have lost 10 of their last 14 games, they let Thomas massacre them in the fourth quarter of an embarrassing loss to the Boston Celtics and then they allowed Dragic to do the same thing in a contest with the Miami Heat that saw the Suns out-toughed.

Alex Len was ejected in that game for his wrestling match with Hassan Whiteside, Markieff Morris was ejected for a questionable Flagrant 2 foul and head coach Jeff Hornacek questioned his team’s drive afterward.

There hasn’t been a lot to be positive about for Suns fans lately. Markieff Morris called out Suns fans, Thomas won Eastern Conference Player of the Week after being traded and Eric Bledsoe has disappeared at times — ever since I apparently jinxed him by declaring him the new leader of the Suns.

Still, all is not as bleak as it appears, and there are still some positives to take from the last few games for the Suns. As fans and the organization attempt to shift their expectations for the season away from “playoffs” and further toward “development,” it’s time for a not-so-depressing look at the state of the Phoenix Suns.

Next: Pros From The Trade Deadline