Suns GM James Jones says team is adjusting to being ‘the hunted’

For Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones, deep playoff runs are familiar territory. For the team he has built, it is a different story.

The Suns are in the midst of its first playoff run in more than a decade.

“To be the hunted is different than being the hunter,” Jones told Burns and Gambo on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Although the Suns are in unfamiliar territory, Jones believes the squad has prepared for all situations that may arise in Game 6.

“We’ve had these stretches throughout the year with these new experiences where were had to process being on the other side of that chase,” Jones said.

Now, will the Suns be able to adjust on the fly?

The team saw some of that desperation from their opponents in Game 5 as the Los Angeles Clippers came out of the gates with a 20-5 first quarter lead that they never relinquished.

“We’ve played against every style of basketball you can imagine this year and we’ve had success against every style,” Jones said.

“We have a very competitive group and – to a man – they love pressure and competition and I think this is a chance for them to show how much their hard work paid off.”

Jones was not concerned that his team would to have to face a tough road challenge to close out the series knowing that at this point in the series, there are no more secrets in each team’s bag.

“We know who we are and we know who they are,” Jones said. “We’ve been preparing all year for moments like this so you expect to come into a hostile environment tonight.

“We’ve shown in the past we can perform well on the road.”

The Suns will be without Cam Johnson who is suffering from a non-COVID related illness.

Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for continued Suns coverage throughout the day leading up to the 6 p.m. tip.

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