After sweep, Phoenix Suns fans argue over who should lead next era

The Thunder ended the series with a 131-122 win Monday to complete a four-game series, extending Phoenix’s playoff losing streak to 10 games and marking its second first-round exit in three years.

However, fans have looked beyond the overall results to evaluate whether cornerstone Devin Booker is still capable of being just that, or if Dillon Brooks is the player the Suns should work toward building around.

Much of this stems from their contrasting performances in the playoffs, with Booker struggling to find his groove. He averaged 21.3 points while shooting 46.0%. His Game 2 performance lingered most with fans, when he scored 16 points and shot just 6-for-16 from the field.

Brooks, on the other hand, averaged 26.0 points while shooting 45.9% from the field. In two of the four games, he scored 30 or more points.

One group is rallying behind Brooks for his aggression and consistency as evidence that he should take on a larger leadership role. Another group remains loyal to Booker, who has remained a staple for the franchise and shown brilliance since he first joined the team.

While this isn’t the first time fans have questioned Booker’s long-term production — especially with a hefty extension on the horizon — it reflects the emotions of a fan base that expected more from its star.

In some ways, the sweep was expected by analysts and NBA fans, given Oklahoma City’s dominance over the past two seasons and postseason surge. The Suns, however, were not expected to be in this position and have defied preseason expectations to fight their way to a playoff spot.

Still, the sweep — and Booker’s four-game performance — has raised a familiar question: Can he still lead Phoenix to another shot at a title?

For now, with emotions still running high after the series loss, fans online will continue to debate that point — and whether Brooks can be the player to lead the franchise to its first title, or if Booker remains the one worth backing after 11 seasons with the team.