Suns, Are We In This For The Long Haul?

Fans booing the hometown Suns? It was probably warranted after a double-digit loss to the lowly, yet not quite as lowly as Phoenix, Brooklyn Nets. But is it a sign of something seriously wrong between the city and its first love?

Any relationship, especially one that you’ve been in for 50 years with no ring, goes through it’s tough times. There are moments of massive disappointment, arguing, yelling and even the silent treatment from time to time. It’s all part of deciding to commit yourself to one for better or for worse. There does come a crossroads though. A time where you have to decide if you stay together or cut your losses, remember the good times but prepare to create more of those moments with someone else.

It feels like that’s the point many Suns fans are at. And who can blame them? It’s been the longest drought ever without any action, playoff action that is, in the relationship and there doesn’t seem to be any chance for action in sight. There has been little to no stability and communication, a must in any supposed lifelong bond, has been about as efficient as Lindsey Hunter coaching up Kendall Marshall.

At times it feels like the theme song for Phoenix faithful should be Imagine Dragon’s Sucker For Pain. Over the last nine seasons we’ve fallen time and time again for the “This isn’t like me. If you’ll come back I promise I’ll get better” bit. Each time we put our faith back into our beloved and trusted them again. That optimism has been rewarded again with the same poor performance we’ve unfortunately grown accustomed to. It’s not healthy, but it’s what we’ve got.

We remember the good times when we were younger. The honeymoon phase where they took us out to nice places like the Western Conference and NBA Finals. When we used to be showered with gifts like Pacific Division titles, record breaking offenses, MVP trophies and we even made it a Blockbuster night from time to time acquiring stars like Jason Kidd, Charles Barkley and Shaq. We even remember when they used to dress up for our nights out in some of the best attire the NBA had to offer #BringBackTheBurst.

From time to time we still feel that spark. The Goran Dragic led 48 win team reminded us of what it was like to have fun together even if it ended in disappointment. Devin Booker’s 70 point Boston Massacre and his game winners have even provided a glimmer of hope that we can find our way back to that burning and passion we once had. Deep down we want to believe that we’re meant to be together. Unfortunately, it may just be hope and not reality. Just ask Ross and Rachel.

So do we stay or do we go? It’s a question that has plagued mankind for centuries. The answer is, yes. We should stay because of the kids.

Many will tell you it’s not a good enough reason to stay. They might be right in many cases but this isn’t one of them.

Booker and Deandre Ayton are the reason for us to figure out how to workout our differences. It’d be a shame to leave now and miss them growing up together. How many moments would we not be around for if we split up? Do you really want to see what they grow into by watching videos on your phone after the fact? No, of course not.

It’s time for some couples counseling. We need to get down to the core of our issues and figure out how to move past them. Oh, and along the way we need to continue to openly express how we feel. Even if that means booing from time to time.