Suns 5-On-5: How Embarrassing Is Season-Ending Losing Skid?

Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

2. Do you think all of the losing and negativity is something that could affect next year’s team?

Bourguet: It’s starting to feel that way, but perhaps we’re just too close to the source. A summer with another lottery pick and a training camp to get Knight acclimated (assuming the Suns do re-sign him this summer) could be the perfect remedy. Alex Len will be healthy by then, T.J. Warren and Archie Goodwin will be more experience, Eric Bledsoe will be ready to shake off the doldrums and the Suns should be motivated to start turning things around.

Chasen: I mean maybe, but I doubt it. Last year, the Suns won 48 games following a season where they received a top-five pick, and they’re either going to end up with 39 or 40 wins this year. Year-to-year record really doesn’t matter unless it’s a disastrous season, and considering that the Suns were five last-second shots (three of which were absolute miracles) away from having a one-game LEAD in the playoff race with one game to go, I don’t even consider this THAT negative of a season. There’s still a lot of positive stuff that you can take away, but I guess I’m being an optimist. I just don’t like being depressed.

Hann: If this same roster returned? Absolutely. But I don’t think management is going to let that happen. Changes will be coming this off-season and you can bet the house that the Suns will bring in one or two veterans to serve as locker room authority and hold this team accountable. At this point, everyone in the Suns organization should be ready to wipe their hands clean of this year and open next season with a fresh start.

Saar: There is a small chance, but it’s not very big. It typically effects younger guys. But the likes of Goodwin and Warren don’t seem to be the type to let it affect them. Also, it’s not like the Suns were the Timberwolves, Lakers or Knicks this year. Plus there is a decent chance of a pretty big shakeup this offseason, if only to “blow it up” for an All-Star.

Schall: Not emotionally, barring extenuating circumstances, every team with the type of young talent the Suns possess goes into the season with a blind sense of optimism. It will affect the roster construction. If Ryan McDonough hadn’t already made a mistake, in valuing individual talent and youth over chemistry and fit (shoutout to Channing Frye), it’s been brutally confirmed over these final 10 games.

Next: The Season Finale