Stephen A. Smith Shares Concerns About 1 West Contender

The Phoenix Suns were perhaps the most talked-about team in the NBA offseason, even more than the Los Angeles Lakers or the reigning champion Denver Nuggets.

Everybody raved about their offensive juggernaut and three-headed monster featuring Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant.

And while they added some serious depth and solid role players as well, it’s obvious that this team will only go as far as their three stars can take them.

That’s why Stephen A. Smith is concerned about them, as it seems like injury woes will stand on their way to contention, via “First Take.”

.@stephenasmith is CONCERNED that the Suns’ star players are missing games:

“The only reason why we thought about Phoenix really, really making some noise this season is because we expected this three-headed monster offensively to be on the court together.” pic.twitter.com/EesDXlFfkv

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 3, 2023

Smith pointed out the fact that Booker has missed three games already and Beal has yet to make his debut, and there’s not even a timetable for it because of an injury to his back.

The controversial pundit explained that this Suns team won’t be able to get past other contenders in the playoffs with “just” Durant and Booker, reminding everyone that the Nuggets already beat them like that.

He doesn’t see them beating the Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers unless all three stars are out there, and he might have a valid point.

Durant has been inefficient in crunch time, and he couldn’t pick up the slack on his own sans Booker.

And while they should still do just fine and make the playoffs, even if they’re not a top-four team, playoff seeding actually matters, and they need to right the ship before they dig themselves into a hole.

NEXT: 
Pelicans Veteran Opens Up On His Confidence This Season