Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images Stuck on a good-not-great team without any chance of growth is the worst possible place to be for an upcoming star in the NBA. “Out with the old and in with the new” should be the tagline for this year’s playoffs, with the young rising stars taking the stage in the playoffs, kicking out the old. The stars of the NBA that once were feared have now fallen out of the ranks and out of any plans with their current NBA teams. Players we have grown to know as the enemy and the last face you want to see on the floor with the ball in their hands are now somewhat forgotten and no longer feared. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers. James Harden, Kawaii Leonard, and Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers (currently down 1-2 to the Dallas Mavericks) might all be forgotten heading into next season. The stats are there, but the difference between winning and losing is leaning toward a First Round exit for all three teams. The Phoenix Suns now find themselves in the same situation, down 0-3 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Will the same be said for Kevin Durant who has put up career stats this year, but is unable to be the difference in a series facing the young and upcoming Anthony Edwards? We hope not, but it will likely lead to the fate. The names associated with the “new” crowd include Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (OKC Thunder), Anthony Edwards (Wolves), and of course the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets). Pretty soon, Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans), and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) will make the Western Conference almost impossible to penetrate. Shouldn’t Devin Booker be included? Yes, it will take some real shaking up this offseason for the Suns to have him take control as the real number one again in Phoenix. Something we have hoped for as Suns fans, but are now unable to see his true value as his growth has been stunted these playoffs with an early exit. Each year there has been regression for Booker in the postseason. His first year he made an NBA FInal appearance. Then he was eliminated in Game 7 of the Second Round. Then Game 6 of the Second Round. Now a First Fround exit — a possibility in the form of a sweep — seems inevitable. It does not look like the same Booker out there in this series, and the Wolves have done a tremendous job on him defensively. Averaging 20 points per game and shooting 43% from the field, and 27% from three, Booker has been limited. MUST WATCH @12SportsAZPOSTGAME from Devin Booker after Game 3 loss. pic.twitter.com/f3jbUYsbUD— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) April 27, 2024 That is hard to take in, as you would want Booker to be limitless in his ability to overcome a high-powered defense, making them weak and powerless. Left with questions and no answers, you can see on Booker's face that he is amazed at where he is now compared to where the Suns were three years ago in the NBA Finals. Were the expectations too high? Or is this not the correct team to throw around him? Having Bradley Beal next to him looks to be a disaster and rather maybe just redundant to have almost the same players in the backcourt. Something we have learned from the first three games of the series. Doncic in Dallas looks to have his number two and at times number one next to him in Kyrie Irving and a Mavericks team with defense and shooting to help support a generational player. Booker is the talent in Phoenix that has continuously given the city of Phoenix hopes of grabbing their first NBA title. That will now be put on the backburner for another year unless the Suns can make a miraculous comeback and win in seven games. What is scary for the Phoenix is the road ahead, and with Booker looking lost and missing his teammates from a year and a half ago, the hope is slim for this team. You can see it on all players' faces, especially Booker. He is a man who will do anything to gain the highest level in the NBA and become known as one of the greats while holding his name as a top-20 player in today’s current NBA. Booker is now lost in a hazy atmosphere surrounded by second aprons and a team with misfits that are currently straying from a head coach who has lost the locker room. Or maybe, they just aren’t good enough and need another year? With a quick trigger owner in Mat Ishbia, there will be changes. But what? Booker will need answers quickly or his future in Phoenix might be bleak, yet again.
Source: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024 ... -purgatory