Phoenix believed it was completing a championship roster when it traded for Bradley Beal to pair with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Expectations were high, but over two seasons the result was only a single postseason berth, which ended in a first-round sweep.
The team had issues across the board, but Beal became the face of the disappointment. His production dipped, and in that lone postseason run he finished with 9 points, 6 turnovers, and a foul-out in the elimination game. By the following season, he was coming off the bench. The partnership ended with a buyout, and Beal signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
That made Thursday’s matchup in Phoenix feel like a weird reunion. Beal checked in to boos during introductions and again every time he touched the ball. He finished with 5 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist on 2-for-14 shooting in the loss.
After the game, Beal reflected on his Phoenix stint and said the coaching staff never really let him play the way he’s used to, using his 14 attempts in this matchup as something he rarely experienced while he was actually on their roster.
“When you allow me to be that guy, I’ll be that. But when you have two coaches that want you to set screens and play in the dunker, you’re not Brad Beal. You’re somebody else…When’s the last time I shot 14 shots for the Suns?”
