Phoenix Suns Camp Decisions: How the NBA Finals Loss is Handled
The Phoenix Suns fell just two games short of capturing that elusive first championship last season. That stings for the fans, and even more so for the players. But as difficult as it is for a team to bounce back from that, a shortened offseason only makes it harder, and Phoenix find themselves dealing with exactly that.
The earlier you test out a sewed up wound, the more likely its chances are of reopening. Suns players might try to push their defeat from last year into their memory’s basement and tell you they have indeed moved on from it, but once returning to a basketball environment for the first time since said defeat, it is only human to somewhat experience those frustrating and depressing feelings once again.
With that considered, Williams needs to start out the 2021-22 season with the right tone and attitude so that his team moves forward smoothly. If he does this and handles each player’s grief or agitations responsibly, then the team easily heals and indeed moves on. But if not, Williams risks his players running into extra frustrations, boiling over from last year’s troubling finish and derailing this year’s campaign.
Luckily though, Williams’s locker room command stands unmatched at the NBA level. His players adore him not just for his basketball adeptness, but his character as a man and teacher. So unless Williams absolutely loses his mind, bet on him to accomplish this gentle transition between seasons.