NBA: Booker and Durant frustrated, things are tense at the Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns recorded a 9th defeat in their last 12 matches, Monday at home against the Dallas Mavericks (114-128). Despite the recruitment last February of former MVP and double NBA champion Kevin Durant, as well as all-star guard Bradley Beal this summer, the Suns are in a disappointing 11th place (14 wins, 15 losses) after playing a third of the regular season.

Is Devin Booker, star of the team that drafted him in 2015, finalist for the title in 2021, frustrated by the situation? “A lot,” he responded Monday, recalling that “you need five players to defend” and deploring “a lack of discipline and communication.” Durant would also be annoyed that Phoenix is ​​not doing better, according to ESPN. The injury absences of Beal (back, ankle), who has only played 6 matches this season, partly explain the nervousness which is increasing in Arizona.

Fullback Eric Gordon asked for more altruism last week. “The way we play on both sides of the field is disappointing,” he underlined. Before being surprised, a few days later, at its use in attack. “At the start of the season, it was better. Recently, I hardly touched the ball,” whispered the 35-year-old scorer for the Bleacher Report podcast.

Booker, however, assured that he was not afraid that the water would boil over: “We just have to take charge. Me, the coach (Frank Vogel), KD (Kevin Durant), Eric (Gordon), all the leaders we have here to ensure that we are better prepared when we arrive on the floor. The Suns were eliminated in the Western Conference semi-finals of the 2023 play-offs by the Denver Nuggets, future champions. They continue this Wednesday evening at the Houston Rockets, 8th in the West.