Charles Barkley didn’t mince phrases when requested about his former staff, the Phoenix Suns, this coming season. On an look on the Invoice Simmons Podcast, Barkley talked about most of the Western Convention contenders. He was extremely vital of most of the playoff groups from final season, except for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. What he needed to say in regards to the Suns although definitely raised some eyebrows.
“My Suns,” Charles Barkley started. “They obtained no identification and no management. You gotta have a mode of play. You gotta have management. The Suns haven’t confirmed they’ll do this but.”
“[Booker] is a terrific participant,” he continued. “The entire dynamic of the staff modified when KD and Beal got here there. Now, they gotta have management. He’s (Booker) gotta take the management function. I believe he’s reluctant as a result of assume that KD’s the very best participant. Kevin has mentioned he don’t need to be a frontrunner. He simply desires to play basketball.”
“I challenged Booker final 12 months. It’s gotta be Booker. He’s gotta take a severe management function. Individuals are gonna take heed to him as a result of he’s an ideal participant, however he’s gotta change into extra of a frontrunner. Gotta be extra of a vocal chief. Then we’re gonna see what occurs with the Suns.”
Whereas some would argue that Barkley is spouting nonsense, there’s additionally benefit to the management argument.
Charles Barkley Questions Phoenix’s Identification
Can the Phoenix Suns Put the Items Collectively This Yr?
The Phoenix Suns regarded stacked on paper going into final 12 months. With a brand new trio that featured Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant, many thought their offensive output could be an excessive amount of for the remainder of the league to beat. Nonetheless, their lack of a real level guard, defensive inefficiencies, and lack of a ground chief was their eventual downfall. It confirmed within the collection towards the Minnesota Timberwolves. A collection that noticed the Suns get swept by mentioned Timberwolves staff.
With a brand new head coach in Mike Budenholzer, a ground normal in Tyus Jones, and Devin Booker coming off a summer time the place he frolicked round his fellow Olympians, the Suns are hoping to silence many critics this coming 12 months. If Devin Booker does take the subsequent step to be a vocal chief, then Phoenix could possibly be one of many surprises of the Western Convention. Will probably be tough with the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets all projected to be within the top-four vary. Nonetheless, the massive three of the Suns has sufficient expertise to guarantee them as a playoff lock. Like Charles Barkley mentioned although, somebody has to step up because the chief on the ground.
