The Phoenix Suns have been ousted from the playoffs by the Nuggets in 6 games. The team that was expected to win it all coming out of West, was embarrassed by the top seed by a player who has effectively created two polls in the league. Nikola Jokic and Co. But even after Denver’s resounding win, the media is still criticizing the Suns. Skip Bayless too joined the Phoenix hate party in the latest episode of Undisputed. The Fs1 analyst questioned Kevin Durant and his desire to win. He also suggested this loss would cost Monty Williams his job.
Advertisement
When Durant moved to Phoenix, no one expected the current outcome. The trio of KD, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul along with Deandre Ayton manning the post, it seemed like Monty’s squad was on their way to an NBA Finals appearance.
Instead, they have been knocked out in just the second round. Considering the moves they made before the deadline and the hype their new lineup created, this is certainly a big failure, and Skip Bayless is not afraid to point it out.
Skip Bayless questions Kevin Durant and his priorities
Skip Bayless, on his Twitter, reposted a clip from the latest episode of Undisputed. In it, Bayless and Shannon Sharpe were discussing the impact of the first exit from the Western Conference Semifinals.
Bayless started his monologue by charting out Kevin Durant’s journey until now. He then went on to argue how Durant, after his injury, had lost the urge to win. The Undisputed hist suggested Durant had lost the fire after winning two championships with the Warriors.
Bayless then praised Monty Williams for the man he is. But also suggested the Suns’ head coach would lose his job because of the failure of the squad.
Skip Bayless: “He doesn’t look like he really cares that much about winning. He cares about the work. He still has high work ethic. He likes to practice basketball. He likes to make himself better. He likes to stay in the lab.” Skip further stated. “He really enjoys that part of basketball. Whether they win or lose to him, I think care anymore.”
I don’t even know where to start with assessing blame because it weighs heavy on every head in the Suns locker room. But the tone got set from the start by Kevin Bleepin Durant and Devin Booker. More @undisputed, now on FS1. pic.twitter.com/UH9AhyMuCj
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 12, 2023
The future of Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton is murkier than ever
After this second-round exit, no starting player will be likely affected more than Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul. Ayton has not been the same since his disagreement with the Suns at the time of contract negotiations. Since, he has been in a few minor but concerning altercations with his teammates and coach.
He is clearly not fitting well with the Suns. They need a big who can pull his weight both offensively and defensively. Ayton failed miserably when faced by Nikola Jokic. The Suns need someone who wouldn’t have crumbled as easily.
Meanwhile, in Chris Paul’s case, ClutchPoints reported ESPN’s Tim MacMahon has already stated he expects the point guard to play for a different team in the upcoming season. Ayton and Paul have been crucial for the Phoenix lineup until now. Their exit will bring a lot of change to the sunny city.
