Suns, Kevin Durant Embrace Title-or-Bust Mentality

The Phoenix Suns added another infinity stone in Kevin Durant. Can they make good on their championship window? They certainly seem to embrace the opportunity.

The Phoenix Suns will soon welcome Kevin Durant to the court. Yet for now, his introductory press conference in front of a rowdy group of fans and media members earlier this week will suffice. 

Basketball fever has reached an all-time high here in the Valley. Rightfully so when you look at a Suns team that now features Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. 

"I think we got all the pieces to be successful," said Durant at his press conference on Thursday. "We got guys that have experienced what it's like to play in that final round. We got a champion [Suns GM James Jones] already that's overseeing us. Monty's a champion as a coach. So we got guys that been there and that's half the battle, just knowing what it takes."

Durant - a previous two-time NBA Finals winner with the Golden State Warriors - know how valuable one would be, especially in Phoenix where the trophy cabinet remains empty. 

“I know how significant a championship is to a franchise and to a city. I’ve been a part of two of those, and I’m looking forward to trying to get back on that road to try and do it again but I know how hard it is," said Durant.

“It’s pressure because I’m one of the best players to ever play the game, so every time I step on the floor people going to expect me to do great things and the team I’m on to do great things." 

Pressure isn't something new to either Durant or any other prominent player on the Suns' roster. After all, these are the same pieces that helped drive a 2-0 lead in the 2021 NBA Finals and a 64-win season last year. 

Booker knows it's championship or bust in Phoenix moving forward, if it wasn't already:

"100% percent— We have one goal. We know it's not going to be easy to get there, but we feel we have the talent, we have the mindset," he said. 

The weight of the world now feels like it rests on the shoulders of a few different guys in Phoenix. It seems like they wouldn't want it any other way.