In their first season with a new Big Three, the Phoenix Suns have floundered thus far. Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley doesn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.
The Suns are 46-33 with three games to go in the regular season. They’re more than likely going to fall into the play-in tournament, which is far below where most fans had hoped their season would end up.
Charles Barkley Doesn’t See A Redemption Arc For The Phoenix Suns
Barkley was recently asked by KPNX reporter Cameron Cox about whether or not the Suns could potentially “figure it out” as the playoffs loom.
The former Suns superstar doesn’t see that happening, pointing to a lack of “mental toughness” from the current crop of players.
“No, they’re not going to figure it out. They’re not. They don’t have mental toughness. The leaders are not leading. You’re not going to turn it on this late in the season.
“I’m not sure what you’re expecting but they’re weak mentally. And it’s not going to go good for them. … From afar, they’re just really soft. The players have not led.”
Barkley isn’t exactly known for having a perfect track record on his takes over the years. Chuck has also seemingly had it out for Kevin Durant of late. But even the most die-hard Suns fans can’t deny that the team as currently constructed has underachieved relative to preseason expectations.
Can The Phoenix Suns Prove Charles Barkley Wrong Come Playoff Time?
The Bradley Beal acquisition has given the Suns extra scoring pop, but at the expense of a serious lack of defensive versatility and depth.
But the good news for Phoenix is that the playoffs are built for star players who can create their own shot once defenses start to tighten up.
The Suns have three such players — plus the NBA’s best marksman in Grayson Allen — to potentially flip the narrative come postseason time. They also got some extra bulletin board material from the Chuckster to add some more fuel to their fire.
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