BASK IN THE MOMENT
Advice to Suns fans: Don’t get ahead of yourselves
Columnist Kent Somers has some advice for Phoenix Suns fans: Enjoy the ride while you can and don't worry about the future.
“Hey, Van, good to see you again. Make yourself comfortable. The next 50 minutes or so are yours.”
Van: “Good to see you again. And thanks for seeing me on such short notice. I imagine therapists are busy these days.”
Therapist: “It sounded serious. I could hear the stress in your voice. Wife, kids, OK? You have a boy and a girl, right?”
Van: “They couldn’t be better. Nash and K.J. both are near the top of their classes and start for their travel basketball teams.” Therapist: “So what’s up?” Van: “It’s the Suns. I worry about them constantly, to the point I can’t eat or sleep. My wife says she feels like she married Eeyore. You know the mopey character from Winnie The Pooh?”
Therapist: “The donkey, right. Go on.”
Van: “She’s invested herself in this team, too, and we both swear at the television during games. K.J. and Nash, too. It’s not a healthy environment.”
Therapist: “What about the Suns could possibly be bothering you? I’m not a sports fanatic, but haven’t they clinched a playoff berth for the first time in 10, 11 years? Don’t they have the firstor second-best record in the NBA? Aren’t they pretty fun to watch?”
Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder celebrates with fans after scoring against the Rockets in the first half on April 12. The Suns have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. RICK SCUTERI/USA TODAY SPORTS, ILLUSTRATION BY MARC JENKINS/ USA TODAY NETWORK
Van: “All true. That’s the problem. It finally should be fun to be a Suns fan. Enjoyable. Exciting. And it was, at least at first. I loved watching them play in the bubble in Orlando, but back then we all knew that it would take a miracle for them to make the playoffs. There wasn’t the pressure.”
Therapist: “And there is now?”
Van: “Yeah, because they are no longer the little team that almost could. They traded for Chris Paul, who is having an MVP season. He won’t win it, of course. Like Devin Booker getting a ref’s call, it’s just not going to happen. Don’t get me started on that.
“But back to your question. Yeah, they’ve stayed relatively healthy. Young players have developed. Monty Williams should be coach of the year.”
Therapist: “I’m not following. Aren’t all of those good things?”
Van: “They are, but expectations have risen. And I’m not accustomed to expecting anything from this franchise. I feel I’m ill-equipped to handle it.”
Therapist: “But I remember you telling me you’ve been a fan for decades.”
Van: “Since I can remember. My dad named me after his favorite player, Dick Van Arsdale. We did the same with our kids. I’m old enough to remember when the Suns were good every year. And if they weren’t, Jerry Colangelo did something about it.
“This last decade or so has been rough, but at least you didn’t have to make an emotional investment in the Suns after Thanksgiving or so.
“My wife says I was happier in those days. More fun to be around. I told her she isn’t exactly a ray of sunshine around the house these days, either.”
Therapist: “Tell me you didn’t really say that.”
Van: “I didn’t, but I thought it.” Therapist: “This lack of enjoyment, how does it present itself?’
Van: “I worry about what’s next. Monty Williams said it the other day. There’s always the next game and the challenge of getting a team ready for it. There’s the worry of keeping this team’s chemistry and mojo going while also fretting about the need to enter the playoffs healthy.
“I think you told me once that the things you love have the ability to hurt you the most. Well, I love the Suns again.”
Therapist: “I get that, to an extent. But can I suggest offloading some of your worry to those who can actually influence the outcome of a game or a season? Isn’t that Williams’ job as a coach? To worry? To prepare? To avoid kicking his feet up on a desk, lighting a cigar and admiring all that has been accomplished, at least right now? Doesn’t he get millions for that?”
Van: “Sure.”
Therapist: “So why do you feel the need to do it for free?”
Van: “Because of what’s at stake. Our first NBA title. This team can win it, if it’s healthy come playoff time. And the whole thing hangs by a single thread that can unravel at any time.”
Therapist: “A single thread can’t unravel.”
Van: “Who said that?”
Therapist: “Just came to me. Could be the title of a book. Or a country song.”
Van: “Just work with me here. LeBron James is still nursing a sore ankle and whining about the playoff format. Donovan Mitchell has missed the last 10 games, so the Jazz look vulnerable. I can’t remember the last time I watched an NBA game between two healthy teams. One injury, and, poof, your chances of a title are gone.
“Did you see Booker go down awkwardly late in the first half against the Jazz last week? He’s fine, but my house was quiet for the first time in months until he came out for the second half.
“I also worry about playoff seedings, the remaining schedule, the refs, Cam Johnson going 0-for-6 from three the other night in Atlanta, and on and on.
“I know the Suns’ good health should give me hope, but all I can do is worry: What if Booker sprains an ankle? Should a 36-year-old point guard be playing this much? When does Jae Crowder come back?”
Therapist: “Yet, they could win 50 games in a shortened season?”
Van: “Yes.”
Therapist: “When they won 50 games?”
Van: “In one or two seasons?” Therapist: “Ha. One.”
Van: “2009-10.”
Therapist: “My mom has a saying that I like: Don’t borrow trouble.”
Van: “Meaning?”
Therapist: “Life’s hard enough without imagining all the things that could go wrong.”
Van: “My mom has a saying: Expect the worst, then you can only be pleasantly surprised.”
Therapist: “Look, my advice is to practice mindfulness. What the Suns are doing is one of the better stories in sports this year. Appreciate the beauty in a story as it unfolds. Stay in the moment.”
Van: “I remember you saying that before. What you didn’t tell me was how to do it.”
Doc: “Wow, 50 minutes goes fast.”
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