Kevin Durant on Phoenix Suns’ 2024 Struggles: “Yeah, I Mean, I Have My Own Grass to Mow”
The Phoenix Suns entered the 2024 NBA season with high expectations. After the acquisition of superstar Kevin Durant in 2023, the team believed it had the pieces to challenge for an NBA championship. However, despite the star power on their roster, the Suns have faced a series of challenges early in the 2024 season. With struggles on both ends of the court, questions surrounding their chemistry, and the weight of lofty expectations, the Suns have yet to hit their stride.
When asked about the team’s performance and ongoing struggles, Durant offered a candid response: “Yeah, I mean, I have my own grass to mow.” While it may sound like a simple comment, Durant’s words are a reflection of his focused, pragmatic approach. For the two-time NBA champion, it’s about staying within himself, focusing on his own game, and not getting distracted by the external pressure or the team’s current struggles.
The 2024 season has not gone as planned for the Phoenix Suns. Although they have the talent on paper, a series of factors have contributed to their underperformance so far:
- Injury Concerns: One of the biggest obstacles the Suns have faced is injuries. Durant, who has been dealing with some nagging issues, has missed several games this season, leaving the Suns without their marquee player for stretches of time. Additionally, other key players like Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul have had their own injury concerns, which have limited the team’s ability to establish consistent lineups and rotations.
- Chemistry Issues: With the addition of Durant in 2023, the Suns reshaped their roster, but the team has not yet fully gelled. There have been moments of brilliance, but also stretches where the offense looks disjointed, and the defense has lacked cohesion. Durant’s presence on the floor has certainly raised the ceiling for the Suns, but at times, it has also highlighted the growing pains of integrating so many new pieces into a system that is still in flux.
- Defensive Struggles: One of the Suns’ most notable struggles has been on the defensive end of the floor. Despite having solid defenders like Ayton and Matisse Thybulle, Phoenix has given up too many easy baskets, especially against faster-paced teams. The lack of defensive consistency has led to high-scoring games where the Suns have found themselves unable to keep up with their opponents in crunch time.
- Underwhelming Role Players: While the Suns boast an impressive starting lineup, the performance of their bench has been inconsistent. Outside of the core players, Phoenix has struggled to find consistent contributions from their role players. Players like Cameron Payne and Torrey Craig have been unable to step up in the absence of their stars, leaving the Suns thin on the bench when they need it most.
Kevin Durant, a player with years of experience and multiple championships under his belt, is no stranger to high expectations. Throughout his career, he has dealt with the pressure of being the centerpiece of a team, and he knows that external noise can often be a distraction. That’s why his “grass to mow” comment is so telling.
For Durant, the focus is always on the work that needs to be done. Instead of getting bogged down by the Suns’ early-season struggles, he’s choosing to concentrate on his individual contributions and how he can help his team. It’s not about avoiding the team’s issues, but rather about recognizing that the best way to address them is through consistent effort and a steady mindset.
“I can’t control everything that’s going on around me,” Durant said. “What I can do is come in every day, put in the work, and do what I can to make this team better. We have a lot of talent, but it’s about figuring out how we can put it all together. That’s the process we’re in right now.”
Durant’s leadership and mindset have been a key aspect of his success throughout his career, and it’s clear that he’s taking the same approach with the Suns. He’s not focused on the noise, the struggles, or the outside pressure. Instead, he’s zeroed in on improving his game and doing what he can to help turn things around for Phoenix.
While the Suns’ struggles are evident, there is still plenty of time for them to make adjustments and get back on track. For Durant, this means continuing to build chemistry with his teammates, particularly with players like Devin Booker, who has shown flashes of brilliance in the early part of the season. The pairing of Booker and Durant gives the Suns a potent offensive duo, and as they continue to play together, their cohesion should improve.
Defensively, the Suns need to focus on tightening up their rotations and being more disciplined in their defensive schemes. Durant has long been known for his ability to guard multiple positions, and his leadership on that side of the ball will be crucial in helping the Suns find more consistency.
Additionally, the role players need to step up. Players like Ayton, Payne, and Craig need to contribute more consistently for the Suns to remain competitive in a deep and tough Western Conference. With depth being a concern, Phoenix will need their bench to provide scoring and defense when the stars are resting or facing injuries.
Despite their struggles, the Suns still possess the talent to compete for an NBA championship. With Durant, Booker, and a solid supporting cast, Phoenix has the potential to be a force in the playoffs. However, the key will be how quickly they can improve their chemistry and consistency. If they can address their issues and stay healthy, the Suns could be primed for a late-season push.
Durant, as always, is committed to putting in the work. “We’ve got to stay focused,” he said. “It’s a long season, and we’ve got a lot to figure out, but we’ve got the talent to do it.”
Kevin Durant’s “grass to mow” comment sums up his approach to the Phoenix Suns’ struggles in 2024: focus on the task at hand, and do the work required to get better. The Suns may be facing challenges early in the season, but with Durant’s leadership, they have the opportunity to turn things around. As the team continues to find its rhythm, Durant’s calm, determined mentality will be crucial in guiding the Suns through their struggles and into a potential playoff run.