PHOENIX SUNS

Phoenix Suns coach talks about effort following road trip

Mar 18, 2014, 5:19 PM | Updated: 5:19 pm

Follow @theAdamGreen...

LISTEN: Jeff Hornacek, Suns head coach

The Phoenix Suns did not finish their three-game road trip the way they wanted.

Winners of the first two in Boston and Toronto, the team stumbled Monday in Brooklyn.

“When you look back at it, to get two of those three is pretty good,” Suns coach Jeff Hornacek told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Tuesday. “Brooklyn is obviously rolling now. They’ve got their guys.”

Hornacek conceded that while the Nets have had their struggles this season, when they’re healthy and rested they boast a lineup that is tough to deal with. But one thing he was not ready to accept was one of the reasons why his team lost. Because while winning two of three is nice, winning three of three would have been better.

“I think the way we lost the game, too, I didn’t think the effort was quite there like it was the other games.”

Hornacek added that the team is not talented enough to win on that alone, meaning the players need to bring great energy and effort night in and night out. However, there may be a somewhat limited supply, as the coach said it’s possible his players were emotionally drained by the time they got to Brooklyn.

“It’s hard to go through that level of intensity every single night,” he said.

Now 38-29 on the season, the Suns are 1.5 games back of eighth-seed Memphis and 2.5 back of No. 7 Dallas in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Once seemingly destined for a surprise postseason run, the team’s grasp on its first playoff spot since 2010 is tenuous at best.

It’s all about how the team will respond.

“You’ve got to play like your backs are up against a wall because right now they are,” Hornacek said. “We’re a couple games back and again, as coaches probably the frustrating part is to know that that’s the situation we’re in.

“But it’s hard to blame these guys; these guys have done much better than anticipated. So as a player, you understand what they’re going through, but as a coach you want it every night. But you understand that sometimes doesn’t happen.”

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

5 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

9 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

13 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns coach talks about effort following road trip