Brent Barry Unpacks Phoenix Suns’ Locker Room Struggles
Last season, the Phoenix Suns’ performance was nothing short of a disappointment. Despite boasting the most expensive roster in NBA history, they couldn’t even secure a spot in the Play-In tournament, let alone the postseason. It was a stark reminder of how quickly a season can spiral out of control. As fans and analysts alike try to forget that campaign, new insights keep emerging, shedding light on the reasons behind the Suns’ downfall.
This time, former NBA player Brent Barry gave us a closer look at what was happening behind the scenes. On a recent episode of the No Dunks Podcast, Barry offered revealing details about the Suns’ locker room dynamics, which played a key role in their inability to mesh as a team.
Team Struggles with Cohesion
“The situation there overall, I would tell you guys, being on the inside, was it was a team that just didn’t know how to get along,” Barry shared. “They were all cordial towards one another. They all came to practice and were friendly, but it was one of those situations where you’re just not invested.”
Barry was surprised that the team didn’t respond more aggressively after the disappointing previous season under head coach Frank Vogel. He expected the Suns’ star-studded lineup, with the highest payroll in the league, to come together and show a renewed sense of commitment. Instead, the players failed to unite and, tragically, dismantled the roster through a lack of cohesion and commitment.
“If clearly those guys don’t have a hierarchy and you’re not, as a member of the team, as a player, you’re not aware of which of the guys were leaning on the most, it confuses the rest of the team,” Barry continued. “And I think we had a lot of guys who didn’t exactly know what the expectations were. And again, this comes back to really good coaching and leadership. You have to define those for a team. And at no point did we do that for the Phoenix Suns last year.”
Bradley Beal’s Mindset and the Team’s Disarray
One of the most striking examples of the Suns’ internal struggles was Bradley Beal. After spending years as the undisputed leader in Washington, Beal found it difficult to adapt to a true team structure in Phoenix. When reports surfaced that Beal had issues with head coach Vogel’s request for him to play a more team-oriented role, it highlighted deeper concerns.
This was not just about on-court fit, but also about mindset. Beal’s resistance to adopting a collective mentality started to ripple through the team, creating an environment where individual interests took precedence over team success.
The Kevin Durant Factor
Barry’s comments also pointed to the challenges Kevin Durant brought to the Suns. While Durant’s on-court brilliance is unquestionable, his laid-back approach and lack of interest in anything beyond basketball seemed to undermine the team’s dynamics.
Durant’s reluctance to embrace a leadership role reflected the very disengagement that Barry mentioned. Without a clear hierarchy and a leader to hold players accountable, the Suns’ locker room became disjointed, and their performance suffered.
Devin Booker’s Role in the Struggles
Devin Booker, too, found himself caught in the chaos. He admitted earlier this season that the previous two years were the most challenging of his career. But while Booker and the team struggled last year, a noticeable shift has occurred this season.
This year’s Suns squad seems more connected. Barry’s insights into the lack of structure last year have been replaced by a stronger sense of hierarchy and clarity in the current team. Players now have a better understanding of their roles, and it shows in their performance on the court.
Clear Hierarchy Drives Success
Several Suns players, such as Jordan Goodwin, Collin Gillespie, Mark Williams, and Ryan Dunn, have spoken about the respect they have for veterans like Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks. This mutual respect and clear role definitions have fostered a more cohesive environment. The Suns are winning games because of the clarity in their structure, and it’s reflected in their 27 wins this season—compared to last year’s 27 wins after 59 games.
In conclusion, the transformation of the Suns this season underscores the importance of team unity, structure, and leadership. When everyone understands their role and buys into the team concept, success becomes inevitable.
