Jordan Ott’s accountability challenge helped snap a skid against the Lakers

PHOENIX – Accountability is a catchphrase in the NBA, and it is Phoenix Suns and head coach Jordan Ott fully understand.

“It starts with me,” Ott said when asked Thursday before the game what it means to hold players accountable. “That was our challenge for the group after the game (Tuesday against the Celtics). Look internally; are there any solutions? What can we fix in the near future? And then also scale back.

“We’re in a good place. We’re still sitting in a decent place in the Western Conference standings, but we have higher standards for ourselves.”

Fortunately, the Suns had a solid first part of the season, exceeding expectations and then some. They finish with 31-23, they have a target on their back.

But then came the unfortunate news.

In his first game since the All-Star break, c The Suns would miss Dillon Brooks with a broken hand approximately four-t0-six ​​weeks.

They missed his tone-setting presence, his intensity, but even more so his scoring. He was the clear second option – and sometimes the first option behind Devin Booker.

Speaking of which, the latter has only played nine minutes since returning from the break. Much like Brooks, Booker is dealing with an injury, but this one isn’t as bad.

It’s a right hip strain that could sideline him for a week. Through the team’s four games, they had one of the worst offenses, were extremely ineffective, and seemed to have lost their identity.

Until they threw it back.

The Suns have rediscovered their identity through responsibility

Accountability isn’t just about calling people out for not doing what they’re supposed to be doing. It is also about admitting one’s own mistakes.

That’s what Ott alluded to before Thursday’s game, and what his players talked about, too. No one seems to be pointing the finger at anyone but themselves.

While that’s happening, guys like Grayson Allen know the team’s philosophy will be pull them out of the slump.

“It was great to win against a good team, against a team we’re chasing down the standings,” Allen explained to reporters after the Suns’ win on Thursday. “Having a good night offensively feels really good, especially after the last two games.”

“Everything was good, and it’s nice to have a win after a 4-day break.”

That collective trust settlement is Sun’s bread and butter throughout the season. Every player, coach and front office executive knows that.

In a time when it’s easy to fall back into old habits, that’s not a mantra. Losing Brooks and Booker for a while isn’t easy, but this team hasn’t lost who they are, even while in a bit of a rut.