National Pride Keeps Diana Taurasi, Kevin Durant & Phoenix Stars United as Mat Ishbia’s Blunders Threaten Ugly Downfall

Despite holding interesting pieces in their roster, the Phoenix franchises have a lot to worry about. Starting with the Phoenix Suns, the team built a Big 3 with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. And, it doesn’t seem to move the mountain because of a blunder committed 2 years ago. At the same time, despite having stars like Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, the Mercury side also suffers. However, amid Mat Ishbia’s mountain of blunders, the teams found a reason to pull their socks up.

The Mercury’s veteran star Diana Taurasi addressed the press and spoke about the Paris Olympics roster selection. The 42-year-old guard said, “It’s going to be awesome… It’s such a cool feeling for BG (Griner) and Kaai (Kahleah Copper) It’s so nice to go with teammates… That gives our team an advantage where we already have chemistry.”

The USA Basketball announced a 12-women squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics with stars from across the WNBA. Three from the Mercury side also made their way roster. As the team has had a hot and cool run in the current season with a 6-6 record, the upcoming union for national duty has shot up the team’s morale.

At the same time, the USA men’s team also has two stars from the Suns, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. After an embarrassing 0-4 exit in the first round, the Valley Side has something to celebrate. While the teams find a reason to keep their heads up, one might look back to the blunders that Mat Ishbia, the Phoenix owner, has committed.

The Mercury side has come fresh off a 9-31 embarrassing season, putting Diana Taurasi’s legacy in question. In the last season, the team dismissed their former coach 12 games in and hired Nick Tibbetts. Following that in the off-season, the team carried out a few changes in the roster, like bringing in Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud. And also roped in Nick U’Ren in the front office. Amid a lukewarm performance in the season, the verdict of the changes is yet to be disclosed.

Kevin Durant & Co. suffer in silence

The Suns will have their third coach in three seasons. Despite hiring in-form Frank Vogel for the previous season, the team couldn’t stick to him for more than a year. Now, they have placed their bets on Mike Budenholzer. Nevertheless, how much ever coaches change in the coming seasons, nothing can supersede the blunder that was committed two years ago.

When Monty Williams held the coach’s hat, he pressurized the front office to trade DeAndre Ayton and rope in Myles Turner. The Indiana Pacers center, a fairly new face in the league, is a huge bet to gamble. While they let it slip, the team traded Ayton away to get Jusuf Nurkić from the Blazers.

Even though Nurkic is a dominant center, he doesn’t have the much skills in his arsenal. Whereas Turner has developed into a lethal threat in the NBA world. The big man not only protects the rim but also creates space with his impressive three-point shooting. The very thing that the Suns’ Big 3 lacked in the last season.

Will the Phoenix franchises turn it around despite the blunders? Let us know in the comments.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow in what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, this video