In a recent appearance on the Bill Simmons Podcast, Charles Barkley didn’t hold back when discussing the Phoenix Suns and their upcoming season. While critiquing several Western Conference contenders, Barkley had some particularly harsh words for his former team, the Suns.
“My Suns,” Charles Barkley began. “They got no identity and no leadership. You gotta have a style of play. You gotta have leadership. The Suns have not proven they can do that yet.”
“[Booker] is a terrific player,” he continued. “The whole dynamic of the team changed when KD and Beal came there. Now, they gotta have leadership. He’s (Booker) gotta take the leadership role. I think he’s reluctant because assume that KD’s the best player. Kevin has said he don’t want to be a leader. He just wants to play basketball.”
“I challenged Booker last year. It’s gotta be Booker. He’s gotta take a serious leadership role. People are gonna listen to him because he’s a great player, but he’s gotta become more of a leader. Gotta be more of a vocal leader. Then we’re gonna see what happens with the Suns.”
While some may disagree with Barkley’s views, there is certainly some merit to his argument about leadership within the Suns team.
Charles Barkley Questions Phoenix’s Identity
Can the Phoenix Suns Put the Pieces Together This Year?
The Phoenix Suns seemed strong on paper last season with a lineup including Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant. Many expected their offensive prowess to dominate, but they struggled due to a lack of a true point guard, defensive issues, and a missing floor leader. This was evident in their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where they were swept.
With a new head coach, Mike Budenholzer, a reliable point guard in Tyus Jones, and Devin Booker’s participation in the Olympics, the Suns are aiming to prove their critics wrong this year. If Booker steps up as a vocal leader, Phoenix could surprise many in the tough Western Conference. Despite tough competition from teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets, the Suns’ trio has enough talent to secure a playoff spot. As Barkley emphasized, strong leadership on the court will be crucial for their success.
