The Phoenix Suns, led by their Big 3 of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, are drawing comparisons to TNT NBA analyst Kenny Smith's college experience at the University of North Carolina. Smith humorously recalled his tendency to start classes and then drop them, resulting in a string of incompletes. He sees a parallel with the Suns, acknowledging that while they have played together, they have yet to face a true test, especially on the defensive and offensive ends.
Despite their success, Smith views the Suns as a work in progress, emphasizing the need for continued improvement in the second half of the season. He highlighted Kevin Durant's impact on the team's performance, underscoring his ability to elevate any team he joins. Smith believes that the Suns' Big 3, which also includes Booker and Beal, must continue to grow and adapt, likening their progress to attending more classes.
Smith and fellow analyst Candace Parker discussed the Suns' current status, noting their record (33-22) and fifth-place position in the Western Conference coming out of the All-Star break. Phoenix has been performing well, winning 14 of their last 18 games. They are scheduled to play against Dallas and Houston in a back-to-back series.
While the Suns have a winning record with their Big 3, injuries have been a concern. Beal missed a recent game due to a hamstring injury, and he had previously undergone a nose procedure. Despite these setbacks, the Suns have shown strength on both offense and defense, ranking ninth and 14th in the NBA, respectively. However, they have struggled in the fourth quarter, often losing leads and committing turnovers.
Looking ahead, the Suns have a challenging schedule, including multiple games against Houston and a matchup against the Clippers, a team that Smith considers a strong contender in the West. Despite this, Smith remains optimistic about the Suns' potential, especially with the leadership of head coach Tyronn Lue. He views Lue as a key factor in maximizing the team's performance and believes that the Suns have the ability to compete at a high level in the Western Conference.
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