Phoenix Suns Locker Room Report: Still Fighting

The Phoenix Suns now sit 3.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Let's face it, with only nine games remaining on the season, the odds of them making the playoffs at this point are astronomically low.

The Thunder play the Utah Jazz tonight, and a win could push their lead on the Suns to four games. Even if they lose, the Suns failed to gain any ground last night, and even with a win against the Thunder, whom they play Sunday night, would still put them two games back.

It seems that tonight's loss was the final nail in the coffin...putting to rest the playoff hopes for a season that simply wasn't meant to be.

But don't tell that to Gerald Green.

Green was adamant in his resolve to continue fighting until the very last game. He spoke of his efforts to tell the other players to "keep the faith" and don't give up.

Alex Len also spoke briefly to the media, talking mostly about why LaMarcus Aldridge had so much success last night, and their inability to shut down the Blazer's shooters, even when protecting the paint.

Eric Bedsoe seemed understandably frustrated about his performance after the game last night, specifically his inability to convert his shot attempts. Eric, normally an efficient and selective scorer, shot only 5/20 for 13 points. An ironic turn of events, considering that this happened on a night where he took care of the ball and didn't commit a single turnover.To his credit, he was the first to own up to the poor performance.

Finally, Marcus Morris spoke briefly about the game. He was the Suns best player tonight, scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, along with 3 assists and a steal as well. But Marcus wasn't in the mood to talk about his performance after a devastating loss, only that of the team itself.

As I mentioned above, this loss all but seals the Suns' fate. Even the players almost certainly realize it at this point, even though they aren't willing to give up, which they shouldn't.

But the games will continue on for the next couple of weeks, and the team will make the most out of the remainder of the season, regardless.

There is still a a lot to feel good about regarding the future of this team going forward. With salary cap space and flexibility, draft picks, and a stable of young players who are still getting better, the trajectory of the team is angled upward.

Any hopes of making the post season this year may be over, but the future is still very bright on Planet Orange.