PHOENIX — It's still too early for the Phoenix Suns front office to discuss specific personnel moves they plan on making to improve this team. However, on Wednesday, General Manager James Jones acknowledged that a lack of cohesion among players may have contributed to Phoenix’s early playoff exit.
Jones told reporters that the Minnesota Timberwolves, who completed the four-game sweep in the first round, were a more connected team, giving credit to head coach Chris Finch’s group.
Jones, who was named the NBA Basketball Executive of the Year for the 2020-21 season, remains confident in the future of the franchise with core players including the starting five set to return under contract.
However, Jones noted that it was difficult for the team to find its identity and for players to be “on the same page” throughout the regular season. Phoenix’s “Big Three” of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal played exactly 41 regular season games together (posting 26-15 record in those games). Jones noted that the lack of time together on the court could have led to the chemistry breaking down in the postseason.
“For us, chemistry is built over time. I actually think chemistry is built to fire,” Jones said. “If you ask our guys today what their chemistry is like after going through the pain that we went through this past week, I guarantee you when they come into training camp next year they're a tighter, more cohesive group. They've been through the fire and when you go through the fire, you trust. And when you trust, you're unbeatable.”
Phoenix’s depth and lack of a true point guard proved to be an obstacle the Suns couldn’t adjust to in the playoffs. Jones noted having a point guard and reliable backups could have benefited the team but it's a delicate balance finding the right floor general to fit in this system. Plus, when you consider there's only one ball on the court, who is getting those valuable touches or having them taken away?
“I don't run away from saying we could benefit from having a point guard. I just don't think that was the answer to a lot of our problems,” Jones said. “When you set high expectations and you fall short, people question everything. We will question everything but at the end of the day we'll have the right answers, and those right answers will help us achieve those high expectations which is to win a championship.”
Next up for the Suns: the NBA Draft in June, NBA Summer League in July and Training Camp is set to begin in October.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.