
Four months later, on Halloween 2020, Suns co-owner Richard J. On July 31, 2020, in a period that would normally be considered a part of this season before the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States began, the Suns fired 30 different employees for varying reasons that affected overall team performance, especially by being considered either redundant or outdated for the team. On October 9, the Suns hired former Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Kevin Young (who was an assistant alongside Monty Williams during his time in Philadelphia and was once considered a head coach candidate for the 76ers) as their second (and final) new assistant coach hiring of the season, replacing Rajaković's position going forward. Five days after the announced signing, the Memphis Grizzlies announced the hiring of assistant coach Darko Rajaković going forward for this season, leaving Phoenix to search for his replacement. In addition to that move, their Director of Athletic Performance, Daniel Bove, announced his hiring by the New Orleans Pelicans for that exact position there on his Twitter account after helping the team go undefeated in the 2020 NBA Bubble. On September 8, 2020, nearly two months after firing Steve Blake and Larry Greer during the 2020 NBA Bubble period (which led to Larry joining his older brother Andy on the New York Knicks as assistant coaches there soon afterward), the Suns hired former Minnesota Timberwolves player development coach Brian Randle as one of the incoming assistant coach replacements, taking on Steve Blake's apparent position with the team. However, they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. 4 seeded Los Angeles Clippers ( Chris Paul's former team) in the Western Conference Finals in six games to advance to their first NBA Finals appearance in 28 years. 3 seeded Denver Nuggets in four games in the Western Conference Semifinals. 7 seeded and defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games and defeated the No. In the first round, the Suns defeated the No.
#Phoenix suns roster full
They finished 51–21, with a winning percentage equivalent to 58 wins in a full 82-game season. They also clinched the Pacific Division for the first time since 2007. The Suns then clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2010 following a 109–101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on April 28, 2021. The Suns achieved their first winning season since the 2013–14 season after a 134–106 win over the Washington Wizards on April 10, 2021.

While the Nuggets did come up empty on the possession, Jokić had five put-back attempts while Ayton stood on the sideline as a spectator.įans were left in disbelief, many putting the loss on Ayton’s hands, as this was not the only example of his lack of aggression throughout the game.Īfter the loss, Ayton spoke on the physicality and noted that “we’re gonna be a complete different team in Game 2.The 2020–21 Phoenix Suns season was their 53rd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as their 28th season at the Footprint Center.

Simply inexcusable to watch your teammates fight for a loose ball while standing on the baseline.

#Phoenix suns roster series
The Suns don’t have much of a chance this series against Denver if Deandre Ayton has moments like this.

The Suns were trailing by 10 in the second quarter. Following the Suns’ Game One loss to the Denver Nuggets to open up the Western Conference Semifinals, a video quickly spread of Deandre Ayton, more specifically, the lack of aggression from Ayton.Īyton finished the game with just seven rebounds, while Nikola Jokić had more offensive rebounds than the entire Suns’ roster.īut, it was this play that stood out more than anything else.
