National consensus: Phoenix Suns are just getting started
Apr 15, 2014, 10:11 PM | Updated: 11:36 pm
Normally, the stark reality that a team has been eliminated from postseason contention for the fourth straight year would be met with ample pessimism.
That is not the case with the Phoenix Suns, who were beaten by the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night, sealing their fate for another playoff-less campaign. However, national pundits are applauding the Suns for their amazing improvement in 2013-14, a year in which they were projected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA.
Here’s a sampling of what some national basketball analysts are saying about the Suns’ bounce-back campaign.
The #Suns are going to do what the #Warriors did in 2008. Have 48 wins and don't qualify for the playoffs. #goEastyoungmen #silver
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) April 15, 2014
They should give the Suns the No. 1 pick, just for being so un-tanky
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) April 15, 2014
Show me any steal you want this season … and I'll top it with Phoenix swiping Hornacek #gonnabeagoodone #alreadyis
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 15, 2014
Suns have all the franchise momentum, along w/ tons of picks, assets and cap space plus a bit more hunger for next season. It’s all good.
— Seth Pollack (@sethpo) April 15, 2014
Suns have seven guys 25 or younger, three 2014 first-rounders, Coach of the Year candidate, Executive of the Year candidate. Bright future.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) April 15, 2014
Phoenix has the non-Pop COY, 11,000 draft picks, two stud guards and a world of talent. Future is solar. Outstanding season, Phoenix.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) April 15, 2014
Goes against everything I believe in, but I'd advocate a temporary change to the playoff system just to see the @Suns keep playing this year
— Sekou Smith (@SekouSmithNBA) April 15, 2014