The Phoenix Suns have suffered another second-round exit from the playoffs after a dominant display by the Denver Nuggets. Following the defeat, former NBA champion Dwight Howard sent a message from Taiwan, aimed at Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, saying “Taiwan is calling.”
Taiwan calling 👀
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) May 12, 2023
While it is unclear who the message was specifically directed towards, it is evident that the Suns will have a lot of questions to answer after this playoff defeat. Last season, they issued an apology to their fans after losing in Game 7 to the Dallas Mavericks. Despite mortgaging their future and parting with fan favorites Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson to acquire Kevin Durant, he failed to live up to expectations as the superstar they had traded for.
Devin Booker had been one of the standout players of the postseason, delivering heroic performances in the first two rounds. However, he was nowhere to be seen in the elimination game, reminiscent of his performance last season against the Mavericks. The Suns’ success relies heavily on Booker and Durant, who were the key to their two wins in this series.
As the offseason approaches, Phoenix must consider their options to improve the roster. One potential avenue is to sever ties with Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul, freeing up money to invest in a supporting cast that can contribute meaningfully. However, even depth could not have saved the Suns in this elimination game, as their star players disappeared when they were needed the most.
In conclusion, the Phoenix Suns have a lot of soul-searching to do after their second consecutive second-round playoff exit. Dwight Howard’s message may have been a playful jab, but it highlights the need for the Suns to evaluate their strategy going forward if they want to become a contender.
The Battle of the Forwards: Kevin Durant and the Greats of NBA History
Kevin Durant’s prowess in the small forward and power forward positions has been undisputed throughout his NBA career. However, his playoff success has often been a topic of discussion among fans and analysts. In comparison to some of the greatest forwards in NBA history, Durant’s performance in the postseason may pale in comparison.
Larry Bird, considered by many to be the best to play the forward position before Durant and LeBron James, had a remarkable 99-65 win-loss record in the playoffs. Bird averaged 23.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 6.5 APG, and 1.8 SPG, won three championships, and built a famous rivalry with Magic Johnson that helped make the league popular worldwide.
Scottie Pippen, another legendary small forward, boasted an impressive 136-72 playoff record. Although he didn’t have Durant’s scoring ability, Pippen was the Chicago Bulls’ most versatile defender, and his partnership with Michael Jordan led to six championships in the ’90s.
LeBron James, widely considered the greatest forward of all time, has been dominant in the playoffs with a 175-93 win-loss record. James has averaged 28.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, and 1.0 BPG in the playoffs, has the most postseason games and wins, and has won four MVP awards and four championships.
Durant and many other NBA players continue to try and follow in James’ footsteps and achieve similar playoff success. However, it is clear that the bar has been set very high by the all-time greats who have come before them.
