The Phoenix Suns need to show Eric Gordon the ball more.
That's not a narrative - nor a perspective from anybody in the media - but words from the player himself, speaking to Bleacher Report after Phoenix's recent loss to the Sacramento Kings.
"Early on in the season, it was better. And lately, there just hasn't been an emphasis [to get me more looks]," Gordon told Chris Haynes. "So, it's definitely different. Lately I haven't been getting hardly any touches really."
Gordon's comments revealed a layer of frustration that's been too common among players and fans of the team. Through 28 games, the Suns are a mere 14-14 and haven't nearly shown anything close to the championship expectations they carried heading into 2023-24.
Gordon shot just twice in the loss to the Kings.
When asked about his comments at today's shootaround, Gordon offered this:
"I came here to win, that's just my level of focus. Things have been said within the group. Coach put an emphasis on it. I said that a couple days ago. ... I just know how I am. I'm here to win, to play winning basketball," Gordon said.
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Suns coach Frank Vogel addressed that very topic after losing to the Kings:
"I got to keep moving the pieces around in terms of how we're using certain guys. Can we get Eric Gordon more involved than I'm doing? I'm not doing a good enough job in making sure he's involved in the offense. He's a guy that can really help us," he said.
Suns guard Devin Booker says nobody on the team took Gordon's comments personal.
"I think we have to find ways to open up looks for him and put him in a position to do what he does. Nobody takes what he said personal around here. He's been in this a long time. He's earned that respect and he has the talent to do what he said," Booker said.
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