This summer, many NBA fans and analysts consider the Phoenix Suns to be among the top contenders for the upcoming season. However, Suns legend Charles Barkley has some reservations about his former team.
On the Bill Simmons podcast, Barkley criticized the Suns, saying, “My Suns… they lack identity and leadership. You need a defined style of play and strong leadership, and the Suns haven’t demonstrated that yet. [Devin] Booker is an excellent player, but the team’s dynamic shifted significantly with the addition of KD and Beal. Now, they need leadership. Booker needs to step up in that role.
Barkley continued, “I challenged Booker last year. He has to take on a serious leadership role. People will listen to him because he’s a great player, but he needs to be a more vocal leader. We’ll see how the Suns fare with that.”
Barkley has a personal stake in the Suns’ success. During his four years with the team, he led them to significant success, averaging 23.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game with a 50.1% shooting accuracy.
Despite the Suns’ impressive roster—featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal—and having championship coach Mike Budenholzer at the helm, there are concerns.
Kevin Durant, 35, will enter his 18th season in October, and while he is expected to be a top performer, there are no guarantees he will maintain MVP-level play. Bradley Beal, intended to be the third option, struggled last season, raising questions about his ability to fulfill his role effectively.
Given these concerns and a supporting cast that remains unproven, it’s understandable why Barkley remains skeptical about the Suns’ chances. Teams like the Timberwolves, Thunder, Mavericks, and Nuggets, assuming they stay healthy, are expected to be major contenders in the Conference.
