4. Does the Thunder’s recent skid over the last few games make it even more frustrating the Suns don’t have a realistic shot at the playoffs?
Bourguet: Absolutely. And that’s before we mention that with a healthy Brandon Knight, Phoenix had a slim chance of keeping things interesting.
Chasen: Yup. Four games in particular come to mind. Five if you count the Harrison Barnes game. Six if you count the game they lost to Memphis despite holding the ball with the shot clock off and a two point lead. Seven if you count the game they lost when Westbrook got ejected in the first half and Durant was supposed to be on a minutes restriction. So close. So frustrating.
Hann: Frustrating, yes. Something that will keep me up at night? No. While this year has been rough at times, Phoenix is in just their SECOND year of rebuilding and have played meaningful games in March for the past two years, something to be proud of. I have been very strong in this belief and stand by it: The Phoenix Suns will bring the NBA playoffs back to the Talking Stick Resort Arena NEXT season. The Suns had their chance this season but stumbled too many times to count, because of that learning experience, I think NEXT season will be that much more promising.
Saar: A little bit the crazy optimistic part of me says we run the table and somehow get in as a sort of “gift from the basketball gods” for all the buzzer-beating losses we’ve endured.
Harris: It makes it extremely frustrating because now they can’t say, “Oh well there’s nothing we could’ve done.” The fact that the Suns won’t make the playoffs this year has very little to do with OKC, it’s all about how Phoenix has faltered down the stretch and now New Orleans is in prime position to pass OKC over. Remember the Thunder were supposed to ‘challenge everyone in the West’ after the trade deadline, but they still can’t play a lick of defense and Durant and Ibaka are injured, and they are in extreme jeopardy of missing out of the playoffs. The Thunder left the door open for the Suns, and yet Phoenix could not capitalize.
Next: Reaching .500