Left with a bad taste in our mouths after Sunday night’s game with the Wolves, where do the Suns go from here when it comes to Beal?
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal left a lasting impression Sunday night in what was the final game to end the 2023-24 season. It was a game that wrapped up a Minnesota Timberwolves sweep over the Suns, leaving a sour taste of wasted potential in what could have been the difference-maker in the playoffs.
Beal was supposed to be the difference, the player who took Phoenix to new heights. He’d never been swept in a series, and it certainly wasn’t going to come this year with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker by his side.
Well, it did. And Beal didn’t contribute much to stop the Wolves’ train from arriving at the station.
Welp.
9 points
4-of-13 FG
1-of-5 3PT
6 TO’s
6 fouls
Swept https://t.co/ZgGqO1iuue— John Voita (@DarthVoita) April 29, 2024
Beal averaged 16.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists within the four games he started for the Suns against the Wolves. He averaged 14.8 field goal attempts on 44% shooting. The fact that he could stay healthy during the Suns’ late run to end the season was a little triumph and overlooked. The battle all season for Beal was to remain healthy and play with a starting five that all Suns fans believed to have the upper hand over the Wolves.
We quickly found out we were completely wrong.
It was the worst possible ending that could have occurred for the first year Sun. But he quickly owned up to it during Monday’s player exit interviews.
Bradley Beal sits down and says “I’ll be damned, man.” pic.twitter.com/4KIn1OshNV
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 29, 2024
It was devastating, to say the least, watching the season ending at the hands of Beal, who had two crucial turnovers in the final minutes of Game 4 prior to fouling out. The electricity in Footprint Center died during the third quarter of Game 3 and never returned for Game 4. The season had to end sooner rather than later. Beginning the healing process and finding a solution to the team’s future success Monday was the correct way to start the week.
Is Beal part of the the future? Yes, due to the no-trade clause, but he was the first name (right after Frank Vogel ) to hit Twitter (X) as a player fans do not want to see back next year.
It is hard to back a player like Beal, not only because of the performance (it happens to the best of them) but mainly because of his attitude on the floor Sunday night. It was a game that the Suns had to have, and by letting the officials get to him, it was a major letdown. At one point in the third, he headed to the bench, disregarding Vogel’s hand in a LeBron James manner.
This is very whack. They about to make Vogel the fall guy when it’s Sadly Beal that should prosecuted. pic.twitter.com/52ioKcRtI7
— The Pettiest Laker Fan (@ThePettiestLA) April 29, 2024
Monday morning, Beal owned up to that as well with the following comments.
“I was frustrated with fouls. I knew I was coming out.”
Bradley Beal on when he ran past Frank Vogel and slapped his hand hard coming out the game.
Said it was “nothing towards coach.” #Suns #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/9di2VbRlDh
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 29, 2024
Winning is all that matters now in Phoenix, and coming up short is unacceptable, but to an extent. Things do take time and another year together might help put this team over the top. Like Suns owner Mat Ishbia, Suns fans want results fast. But we will have to wait and see what changes will occur, and if Beal and the Suns’ front office can somehow change the narrative throughout a summer following another team raising a trophy before the Suns.
Phoenix doesn’t have much choice in remaining intact with the core they have, and that includes Beal. If he were to want out of Phoenix, would you hate for this experiment to be over so soon, or do you have any hope that the Suns can run this back again, and see if these players can work some magic next season?