This CANNOT Keep Happening...

This cannot keep happening as the Suns fall once again to the Indiana Pacers and have now lost four of their last five since Christmas. And it is getting even a bigger issue with this Suns team in the direction that they are trying to head as they are falling to closer and closer to rock bottom as they keep going down under 500. And if the Suns want to have any playoff hopes, things are going to need to be changed. So we're going to be diving in and exploring this Suns game and also going over what the Suns need to do in those changes to get back into that column. We'll be breaking down all of that and more on this episode of Suns Digest. I'm Bruce Velez. You guys have been absolutely fantastic showing your love and support on the channel, which has been super, super appreciative. Thank you guys so much for leaving those fantastic comments. And let me know what your overall expectations are with the Suns at this very moment, because it's leaving fans frustrated, including myself, having to watch games like this unfold every other night. Without further ado, though, let's dive into the video at hand and make sure to grab a snack. And like I said in the introduction, this is absolutely ridiculous and really, really sad that us Phoenix Suns fans have to go through with this. Because as we all know, kind of going into last season, we all saw this big three with Beale, Booker, and Kevin Durant, and we had high expectations going in with it. Unfortunately for Suns fans last year and this season, we've been plagued with the injury bug biting not only those star players, but other necessary role players to limit and hinder this team. And not only has that limited this Suns team, but the ability of all these players playing with each other and trying to stay healthy has also limited the production of this team as well. And we see that falter once again with the Suns losing tonight. We see the Phoenix Suns going into this contest already without Royce O'Neal as he is going to be evaluated once the Suns come back after he is done from this road trip as he has an ankle sprain. We all know about that. We all know that Bradley Beale was welcomed back into this lineup and Yusef Nurkic was also out with the suspension as he still had one final game to serve after fighting with the Dallas Mavericks. But late game scratches, Tyus Jones and Osa Iguodoro were also added to this list due to an illness. And this clearly limited the Suns going into this contest as they only had one center on this roster that could realistically play in Mason Lumley. And that extremely limited the Suns in this game like I mentioned. If we want to dive in and look at the stats for this game, like I mentioned, Suns lost to the India Pacers 126-108. We want to look at the stats. The Suns shot relatively even to where the Pacers were. And the Pacers were, you know, shooting a little bit underwhelmingly in the first half. But in the third quarter, as we all know, the Suns kryptonite came and came and bit them right in the butt. And they obviously allowed the Pacers to score 40 points in which they only allowed them to score 46 in the first half. The Pacers also were dominant, like I said, in the points in the paint and scoring in that regard. And also were dominant on the boards as the Suns were limited with their center group going into tonight's contest with only having Mason Lumley. Who tried to do his best, but honestly was not that great for the Suns. Comparative to his performance last time he played for the Suns versus the Memphis Grizzlies. For the Suns tonight, we did see Kevin Durant once again look like the MVP version of himself. And really, really put on this fantastic display for the Suns. Ryan Dunn gave some Suns fans also some nice emergence as a nice roller and cutter for this Suns team. As he's shown with the development of his shot and kind of giving a little bit of a new outlet in his offensive play that he can bring for the Suns. Which is key for this team. Devin Booker and Bradley Beal weren't the most impactful for the Suns offensively tonight. And they're a little bit to blame as well. And looking at the bench, key players like Montee Morris and Josh Koge, those energy guys, those hustle guys. Those players that really deserve to get that recognition even if they don't play that big enough of a role. Really shining tonight. Koge bringing out that energy, fighting for those rebounds. Montee Morris, another double-digit scoring night back-to-back for him. Comparative with that Grizzlies game and with more and more minutes and more and more action. Montee has grown more comfortable as his backup point guard and leading that second unit. Grayson hit some big-time shots for the Suns as well even if he missed some key ones. And the main story of tonight's game and looking at a bright spot about this is Bull Bull. Because Bull Bull was one of those shining bright spots for the Suns in this performance. He came off the bench for this team and was only shown a little bit in that first half. Was completely benched for the third quarter when the Pacers absolutely went on that avalanche. But in the fourth when he was brought back, hit some big-time threes. Was able to get some big-time blocks and realistically should be given more playing time. And I know this is one kind of area that Suns fans have been screaming at for a very long time. Is to give Bull Bull that ample play time. To give him that role that he definitely deserves. And I've been in that crowd as well to realistically have Bull Bull get that playing time. But it clearly showed that it was going to pay off in tonight's playing time. So maybe with Nurkic coming back depending on how Oso is dealing with his illness. Maybe we could see some experienced Bull Bull increase in a role or some minutes. Or if not, please Strunz trade Bull Bull immediately to kind of get him out of here. To get him that role that he can play because he can be an impactful piece. And I want to see that development for that two-way player. But honestly when looking at this Suns team like I mentioned. There are a lot of holes and a lot of discrepancies with this team. One thing for sure is the turnovers. Tonight we saw the turnovers being abundant once again. In the rebounding and center play and lack of interior defense. And the center position really limited the Suns. Honestly with Mason Plumlee, he's a solid backup big. For about a third or half of the games he's going to play for the Suns this season. But in an instance where he's your only big or in the lineup. Or realistically the only big you can really count on. He is going to fall and he is going to fail in some instances like that. In instances where him and Oso can split those times, can split the gaps. He is going to benefit because he can get some break. He can get some rest. But in a night where he is going to be required to be that true big. It is not going to work out for the Suns. Miles Turner made sure that was known versus the Suns tonight. He was an absolute beast on the glass. Grabbing boards left and right. Throwing down ferocious dunks. And the Suns had realistically no stop for that interior presence. Mainly this whole season they haven't had a stop for any interior presence. But against a team like the Indiana Pacers. One of the worst ranked defensive teams. Bottom 10 in the NBA. A team with a fast paced offense. A team with a pretty solid big. Not even a top tier, top 10 big in the NBA. The Suns are getting outworked. So how do you think the Suns are going to fare? Against a team like with Nikola Jokic. Or a team with Rudy Gobert. Alperin Sangun. Kristaps Porzingis. Joel Embiid. Evan Mobley. Jared Allen. Naming the list of some of these top tier bigs that they go up against. They are going to get absolutely worked. And there are multiple other big names that I could have named as well. That could easily tear up this Suns interior defense. So a player like Miles Turner obviously got to give him flowers. He's a great big. But he's not one of those top tier bigs. And if he can dominate and deliver like that. Then a player of even higher magnitude could dominate this Suns interior offense. And that clearly shows a weakness with this Suns team. James Jones needs to get on the phone immediately. Matt Ishbia and his front office needs to get cooking immediately. And they need to find some sort of move to benefit this team. This team sitting right now is currently 15-18 in the Western Conference. And is currently out of the play-in at this very moment. And for the Suns fans including myself. Matt Ishbia promised us a championship type of season. A season where we'll be competing in the playoffs. And the Suns are not close to that at this very moment. Yes, the Western Conference is loaded. Yes, the Western Conference is close in contention. And the Suns could easily propel back into that plan just after a couple of games. But it's not going to happen without any shake-up. And with this roster currently constructed with the players that we see on this Suns team. It is not good enough to win a playoff series. Meanwhile, make the playoffs probably in general. And that is scary if you're a Phoenix Suns fan going into next season. With the lurking looming of Kevin Durant's possible extension. So let me know what you guys ultimately think down below in the comments section. Like you guys can tell from my little bit of a rant right here. I am absolutely furious with how the Phoenix Suns have been putting on as a display this season. And it has been at least atrocious for the fans to be able to watch. Let me know what you guys think down below in the comments section. I know a lot of fans are as frustrated as I am. And feel this pain that I am projecting currently out of my voice. So I want to hear your thoughts down below in the comments. And let out all your frustrations about this Phoenix Suns team. Let me know some possible moves that you think could benefit this team. And ultimately let me know how you guys are doing in this type of season. You guys are absolutely fantastic. Supporting this channel and I can't believe you guys have been giving us this much support. It has been absolutely appreciated. I'll catch you guys in the next video. Have a great rest of your night. And go Phoenix Suns. Peace out.