Disaster looms as Suns suggest reviving failed three point guard experiment

If you've been a fan of the Phoenix Suns for this entire century, then we're sure you'll agree that these three things are true. One, that the organization was screwed out of a chance to contend for a championship through some shady doings back in 2007.

Two, that the "seven seconds or less" Suns were a ton of fun, and should have won a championship - or gotten closer to that goal - while also reinventing the game on the offensive end. And three, that the three point guard experiment of 2015 was one of the worst ideas the franchise ever had.

Hard as it may be to believe the idea of going for a three point guard 2.0 lineup has been floated, and it could cost the Suns a championship.

That's because CEO Josh Bartelstein - who thankfully does not get to decide the rotations - has chimed in with his belief that Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones should play together next season. "Obviously Tyus (Jones) is coming here to start. We have Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. We feel good about those guys."

A nice sentiment, but has Bartelstein ever heard of defending? He wasn't done explaining his logic yet though. "Coach (Mike Budenholzer) has got a bunch of different lineups to see how they fit, but I think we feel really good about those three guys forming a three-headed monster and playing off each other with Kevin (Durant) and (Jusuf) Nurkic.

The above statement is problematic for a variety of reasons, but let's quickly take a trip down memory lane. Back in 2014-15, the Suns had the bright idea to play three traditional point guards in Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas and Eric Bledsoe together. It might have had some bright spots early on, but it ultimately led to this infamous moment in 2017.

If it didn't work then, there's no way it's going to work now. Not in a league that has gotten even more invested in 3-point shooting, and it's not like either Jones or Beal are anything close to elite defenders either. Booker might be underrated in that area, but teams would score on that trio plus Jusuf Nurkic for fun.

The other glaring issue here is that both Booker and Beal were spoken about as point guards last season - Booker did have a career high in assists at 6.7 a night - but neither ever looked truly comfortable in that role. Having Jones as a true floor general helps, but with the other two All-Stars used to having the ball in their hands a ton as well, the fit just feels way off.

Another parallel with 2014-15 which is a massive problem is the lack of a defensive-minded wing or forward to account for having these three guys on the floor together. Mikal Bridges would have been perfect at this point - although even he can only do so much - but the combination of Kevin Durant, Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and Josh Okogie doesn't scream lockdown defense.

Almost a decade ago, that version of the Suns had the Morris twins, Alex Len and Miles Plumlee playing the bulk of the forward and center minutes for the team. Is it any wonder they ultimately finished 38-44?

It's like the organization is doubling down on attempting an antiquated way at winning, both with having three stars and less depth instead of the more conventional two stars and more strength behind them that has worked around the league since 2019. Going deeper into that zag is playing three guards - all of whom have tried or will be point guards in Phoenix - and seeing what happens.

Perhaps worst of all though, this comment from Bartelstein might just show how large the disconnect is between the front office and the coaching staff. Head coach Mike Budenholzer isn't one for proclamations to the media, preferring instead to do his best work behind closed doors. What he does not need is this unnecessary distraction when we're still months away from the regular season.