PHOENIX SUNS

Lindsey Hunter talks about Suns’ growing pains

Mar 15, 2013, 7:00 PM | Updated: 7:27 pm

LISTEN: Lindsey Hunter, Phoenix Suns' Head Coach

Phoenix Suns coach Lindsey Hunter was not pleased with his team’s effort in a 111-80 loss to the Houston Rockets Wednesday night.

His team’s lack of effort, he told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo Friday, was the most concerning aspect of the game.

But, Hunter said, it’s all part of the growing process the Suns are going through. At 22-43 there is a ways to go, but Hunter said it’s important his team keeps things in perspective, even after a loss such as the one in Houston.

“I talk to the guys about it all the time, and I say when you win you’re never as good as your best win, and you’re never as bad as your worst loss,” he said. “But in saying that, you don’t want to have any type of comfort losing that type of game.

“You don’t want that to even feel good, no way shape or form, and I have to get them to understand that. And we will.”

The loss was Phoenix’s second straight and fourth in the last five games. This rough stretch comes on the heels of a three-game winning streak that saw the Suns beat elite teams in the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks, and Hunter said part of the process his team needs to go through is knowing not to be satisfied with any kind of success.

“I think that has to happen with all players and all teams; they have to go through the process of maturing, go through the process of learning how to win and learning how to deal with success, learning how to bounce back from failures,” he said. “That’s all a part of it.”

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

4 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

8 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

12 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

1 day ago

Lindsey Hunter talks about Suns’ growing pains