If you are a Phoenix Suns fan, then how long you have been a fan of the team is roughly how long you have suffered for. The franchise having never won a championship, despite making it to the NBA Finals on three occasions.
The 2021 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks - despite leading the series 2-0 at one point - the most recent entry into the miserable book on Suns fandom. Not that it has been all bad, Devin Booker might just be the best player in franchise history and Kevin Durant did decide to come to town. Charles Barkley. Steve Nash. Even Shawn Marion. Great to root for down through the years.
The Suns are now in possession of a stat that stretches back to 2020 though, and it makes for grim reading.
Before revealing exactly what it is, please remember that this organization is extremely competitive right now, and has an owner in Mat Ishbia that is doing whatever it takes to win. Even if that is ruthlessly ditching two players who were never going to make the rotation next season in order to save a bit of money.
Please also remember how fun that 8-0 group from the NBA's bubble season was, and also just how great Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson are in general. Both sacrificed so the Suns could get Durant, but just a pair of guys who really knew what it meant to play for the team, unlike say Deandre Ayton.
Anyway, and we're sorry to bring this up... but the Suns actually have the best record in the entire league going back to 2020, at 209-109. A winning percentage of 65.7 percent. You're probably thinking this is a good thing, but that much winning and nothing to show for it is anything but. Strong bridesmaid vibes.
The next three teams below the Suns are the Boston Celtics (208-110), Denver Nuggets (205-113) and Milwaukee Bucks (204-114) - or put another way - three of the last four NBA Champions. So to actually win that bit more than all three of those, but never win when it matters the most, has got to sting.
Perhaps the Golden State Warriors hurt even more - as they sit in eighth with a 182-136 record - yet won a championship themselves in 2022. Which brings up the interesting question, is it better to win once and do nothing for two years either side of that victory as the Warriors did, or else win a load of games and make the finals once in that same span, but not get it done?
Chance to win title next season
— KlawWrld (@kawhi_ring) August 26, 2024
Thunder: 30%
Celtics: 30%
Mavs: 10%
Wolves: 5%
Nuggets: 5%
Bucks: 3%
Knicks: 3%
Heat: 3%
Lakers: 2%
Pacers: 2%
Sixers: 1.5%
Suns: 1.5%
Cavs: 1%
Magic: 1%
Grizzlies: 1%
Clippers: .5%
Every other team combined: .5%
This stat is perhaps made even more surprising by the fact nobody expects the Suns to even win the West next season - never mind a title - and yet they won 49 games and had a pair of seven game win streaks last time out. This is a sore place to be, and the remaining two-year window that Ishbia has spoken about now has to lead to a championship to make this all worth it.
The only solace that can be taken by Suns fans in light of this - and really it is not much respite at all - is the fact the L.A. Clippers sit sixth in wins since 2020 at 184-134, and never even made the finals. They also lost Paul George to te Philadelphia 76ers this summer (fifth, 201-117), and will officially open their new arena in October when they take on the Suns. Yeah, this stings...