The Suns' NBA playoff run ended in a disappointing fashion this season, as they were swept out of the tournament by the Timberwolves in the first round with a score of 0-4.
This result marks the end of the season for the Suns, and it is also reminiscent of the Nets, who once had the super triumvirate of Irving, Harden, and Durant, who were also star-studded but failed to reach the expected peak. Perhaps, these two teams are telling us with their actions and results that basketball is not a simple addition calculation, but a subtle combination of five people, and that the era of temporary superstar huddles to win championships is over, and the team cannot go far.
Durant's powerlessness
In G4, Durant once again showed his scoring prowess, scoring 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting, but even so, he scored just 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting in the fourth quarter and failed to help his team turn the game around. The fact that the star, who had a huge success with the Warriors, has always seemed to miss out on a championship since his departure reminds us that basketball is not a simple superstar stack.
From the first quarter of the game, you could clearly feel Durant's strong desire to win, but most of his individual scoring relied on a lot of ball-handling singles to complete. After all, no matter how powerful Durant is, he can't return to the sky, after all, Edwards on the other side is more vigorous and vibrant.
Booker's lone palm is hard to sing
Booker scored 49 points in G4, but in the end he couldn't change the fate of being eliminated. His high-scoring performance highlighted the Suns' over-reliance on him on the offensive end, while also exposing the team's lack of tactical diversity and teamwork. But the coach was also helpless, unable to stop the opponent's attack, so he could only withdraw the center and use a small lineup to fight bayonets; in the end, the core superstar was physically exhausted, sacrificing rebounding and defense in exchange for offensive gains, or could not match the opponent's offensive firepower. Booker's 49 points should have been a masterpiece of his career, but it became the background for Edwards to become a god in the first battle and became a stepping stone for the Timberwolves to advance.
The Suns' salary woes
The Suns' salary structure will be a big problem for them. Booker, Durant, and Beal alone will have a combined salary of $312 million over the next two seasons, severely limiting the team's room to operate in free agency. At the same time, the Suns don't have a first-round pick for the next six years, which means they struggle to replenish their fresh blood with the draft. When the team loses the hope of winning the championship, then no matter how luxurious the squad is, it will inevitably be dismantled, which is determined by the commercial nature of the league, and the owner cannot always do charity.
The lessons of the Nets' failures of yesteryear
The former Nets had a super big three like Irving, Harden, and Durant, but in the end they failed to go far in the playoffs due to injuries, poor chemistry, and tactical execution. The Suns' current situation bears a striking resemblance to the Nets, with stars excelling individually but the team as a whole underperforming. The team's lack of a mature tactical system, the coach's inability to turn decay into magic, and the serious deformity of the roster are the reasons for the Suns' failure this season.
Personal opinion
From a personal perspective, both the Suns' exit and the Nets' defeat point to a common problem: while individual star ability is important, team basketball and a reasonable salary structure cannot be ignored either. The Suns will need to build a more balanced and deep roster around Durant and Booker in the coming seasons, while also innovating tactically to improve the team's overall competitiveness. Perhaps, by trading Beal away for a point guard with playmaking skills and 3-and-D, the future of the team will be brighter.
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The Suns' season is over, but their story is far from over. What do fans think about the future of the Suns, and will they be able to learn from this defeat and get back on their feet?