SUMMARY
- The Phoenix Suns Big 3 is down 0-3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
- Phoenix made a mistake by trading their only true facilitator, Chris Paul for Bradley Beal, another natural scorer.
It has been awful witnessing Kevin Durant lose against a less experienced team in the playoffs. The Phoenix Suns have been struggling to find a rhythm but the Minnesota Timberwolves have only dominated the floor in every way possible. Phoenix is currently moving into Game 4 down three games. The Wolves last achieved a 3-0 record in the playoffs nearly 20 years ago.
BREAKING: The Minnesota Timberwolves take a 3-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cbo6iprcnT
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 27, 2024
Obviously, Durant and the Suns do not want to be the team that the Wolves have their first sweep against. All season long, injuries were an excuse that was rightfully used while they dangled around the Play-In Tournament berths. It was by luck that the New Orleans Pelicans lost their final game of the season while the Suns secured a win on the same day to secure the sixth seed and avoid the Play-Ins.
The Phoenix Suns made a mistake by trading Chris Paul
It would be an embarrassment for Kevin Durant to lose to an individual that looked up to him over the years. During the series, Anthony Edwards took every opportunity to play possessions against KD and dominate. Towards the end of Game 3, Edwards was seen using the infamous Degeneration X gesture to mock the Suns. And there isn’t much they can do but take the beating 22-year-old Edwards has been giving them all series long.
Anthony Edwards. 😂😂
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 27, 2024
But the Suns’ issues began when they felt the need to move on from Chris Paul. The point guard was shipped to the Washington Wizards for Bradley Beal during the off-season and from there he wound up with the Golden State Warriors. It is understandable that Paul was an aging star with declining stats. However, if there’s anything the playoffs have taught us, it’s that experience and teamwork pay off.
Beal has been a scorer for the most part of his career. He doesn’t have much experience being the lead facilitator but has had his team work together to help him score efficiently. However, Paul knows exactly how to involve a team and vocalize plays on the floor in real time.
The Suns’ Big 3 only consists of designated scorers, while neither Devin Booker nor Beal are true point guards. Additionally, Paul would’ve paired well with Jusuf Nurkic. Paul’s craftiness would’ve helped give Nurkic more work within the paint. CP3 is also just as efficient from deep as Beal shooting between 36 to 37 percent. Paul would have also attracted double teams but his ability to move the ball around and find open teammates would have made up for it.
The Warriors were Kevin Durant’s best bet at winning more rings
Kevin Durant’s departure from the Warriors team was quite a surprise, especially since they almost three-peated in the 2019 NBA Finals. The biggest takeaway about Durant’s tenure in the Bay Area was that the Warriors were winning irrespective of their interpersonal issues. The Warriors were a dominant team, and chances are they would’ve won the 2019 NBA Championship if Durant hadn’t gotten injured. Klay Thompson’s injury was also another contributing factor to their loss.
Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were almost on the same level in scoring and leadership. But the point is, each of them had their own quirks that separated them as individual players. Durant should not have felt any less of a leader than Curry. Arguments, disagreements, and in-game conflicts are bound to happen. The Warriors faced similar situations this season but still put it past them to focus on winning.
If not for earning individual recognition, KD and Curry would’ve gone down in history as one of the greatest duos ever. Durant’s mistake was allowing minor issues to change his perspective of the entire team, including his teammates. Durant has been out of the second round of the post-season since leaving the Warriors.
Steph’s magic shines in the clutch. #KiaClutch pic.twitter.com/uxrkim5Bxg
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 26, 2024
His personal accolades are enough to make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, his goals over the last four seasons haven’t been met. Not every player can do it all by themselves, but Durant would have achieved far more on a team that was already winning than playing for teams trying to get to that level. As a result, he would have added more credibility to his name as a successful athlete.