We may be over two months since the Phoenix Suns disappointing playoff exit, but for forward Cameron Johnson, the pain still burns brightly within the 26-year-old.
After an all-conquering regular season that then led them to a 3-2 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Suns capitulated in a disastrous game seven in front of their adoring home fans.
They may have deprived themselves of a golden opportunity at an NBA championship, but Cameron Johnson and the Phoenix Suns will be hoping that it spurs them on towards the ultimate goal.
It’s left a sour taste in many mouths, not least for Johnson despite being one of the Suns better players in the defeat. Speaking with Duane Rankin of AZ Central, Johnson was honest in his mindset since the shattering loss.
"I think as a competitor, as a hooper, there are certain games in your life that you’ll never fully move past…It gives you motivation for every workout in the morning and every extra lift, whatever it may be. It’s like, we did get pounded in a Game 7 and yes, that was embarrassing."
That’s heartwarming news for Suns fans who, quite rightfully, believe their team should once again be in championship calculations. Phoenix are currently fifth favourites for the title according to WynnBet.
The Suns have increased their win percentage in each of the last three seasons, making drastic leaps since the arrival of head coach Monty Williams. Johnson notes that game seven brought an adversity scarcely seen in recent times.
"Since I’ve gotten here, we’ve been on a pretty steady escalation where we find a little bit of success and then take the next step and that Game 7 was the first time we really got punched in the face. And it was the first time we really crumbled back down."
As Sylvester Stallone once said as Rocky Balboa, “It’s not about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward”. That might be the sagest advice possible as the Suns enter a crucial offseason in preparation for what they hope is a bounceback season.