It has been a trying time for the members of the Phoenix Suns organization. After already giving former head coach Earl Watson the boot, the Suns dealt starting point guard Eric Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange Greg Monroe, a first-round pick, and a potential second-round pick.
That said, this young Phoenix squad has had to rely on the leadership of its few veteran players for the time being. Such was the case for center Tyson Chandler, who shared some choice words with his teammates after being down by 12 at halftime versus the Washington Wizards, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe:
“That is what a playoff team looks like!” Chandler yelled at his teammates, according to Booker, Triano, and others. “We are getting punked!” He then picked up a marker, and diagrammed Phoenix's first-half defensive screw-ups on a whiteboard.
Chandler attributed his outburst to his role on the team as the most experienced player.
“Yeah, there were some words said that night,” says Chandler. “Wherever I'm at, no matter the situation, I do my job.”
That was all the Suns needed after they managed to storm back in the second half to beat the Wizards 122-116. Although Chandler did not put up big numbers in the contest, the intangibles he brings to Phoenix has served them well early on.
The Suns' young squad likely continue to look to the former Defensive Player of the Year's leadership. At this point, it is not like they have very many options.
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