Feb 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) dribbles in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Phoenix Suns 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

There aren’t many bright spots when there’s just 15 games remaining in the season and your team is looking at a three-game gap between themselves and the last playoff spot, but the Phoenix Suns are growing and improving — more specifically, Eric Bledsoe is emerging as a real leader.

All but the eternal optimists believe this season is over for Phoenix, as their schedule is brutal and the teams they’re chasing are playing much better. It’s looking like a disappointing end to what was such a promising offseason and beginning to the 2014-15 season.

CHANGE STARTS FROM WITHIN

The Phoenix Suns haven’t recaptured the magic that led them to a surprising 48-34 record in 2013-14 — instead, they’re languishing at 34-33 without much of an identity. Management has been blamed, the fans have been blamed, referees have been blamed, but nothing has changed — until last night.

Unless you’re reading my work for the first time, you know that I take a lot of stock into the psychological aspect of basketball. Everybody out there has tremendous God-given talent, but not everyone has the same level of desire and hunger to win.

I’ve mentioned on more than one occasion that it struck me as odd that the Suns players were very much the same after wins as they were after losses. I was there for the horrible buzzer-beaters against Milwaukee and Houston and I was there for the big wins over San Antonio and Golden State — the players as a whole weren’t much different.

Let’s make one thing clear. I don’t expect players to take losses so hard that they’re throwing things, cursing and bowing their heads in shame. Their job is to compete and there’s 82 games, plus preseason, playoffs and practices — that’s a lot of winning and losing. It wouldn’t be healthy to take every loss like Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

At the same time, being so stoic and calm just minutes after a loss can lead people to believe that players don’t care that much. If a team gets blown out by 30 at home, wouldn’t you think players would be embarrassed? You certainly wouldn’t expect to see smiles or laughter after the game.

Jeff Hornacek during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Phoenix Suns won 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

This season, the Suns have emulated their coach (Jeff Hornacek) in their relatively even-keeled approach. That is, until last night.

The Suns held an 11-point lead in the third quarter over the Eastern Conference leaders, the Atlanta Hawks. From there, the Hawks were able to whittle the lead down with stifling defense and timely shooting.

Before the Suns knew what hit them, they were looking at a deficit and not enough time (or energy) to do anything about it. They lost 96-87, but to me, the story was the mood after the game.

SUBTLE CHANGES

Coach Hornacek was his usual self — not bursting with emotion by any means. If you erased the background and turned off the sound, you wouldn’t know if he was a losing basketball coach or your child’s youth group leader.

Inside the locker room was a different story. Newcomer Seth Curry and Brandan Wright sat quietly in one corner. Markieff Morris, Archie Goodwin, Eric Bledsoe and Marcus Morris didn’t have their usual banter going on. Eric and Marcus were talking in an almost shocked state about how the lead slipped away.

I’m probably my biggest critic…I just have to stay positive. — Eric Bledsoe

Alex Len came in on crutches, his swollen right ankle making it tough to change. P.J. Tucker got ready quickly and addressed the media in a somber tone — though of anyone, he’s always been like that — boisterous and smiling after wins, reticent and down after losses.

Bledsoe was the one who surprised me the most. He sat in his chair for an extended period of time, just reflecting on the game before addressing the media. When he did speak, what he said spoke volumes when I asked him about whether losses like this are tougher to swallow:

“Oh no question — we needed this one. They’re a good team but I thought we were the better team tonight. Like I said, they’re a good team and they found a way to win.”

That statement (along with Eric’s admission of being his own biggest critic) said a lot about his maturation and more specifically, his willingness to take accountability for the team’s failure to win a game they had in hand.

LOOKING LONGER TERM

Since Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas left town, the onus has been on Eric to become the leader of this team. As the season has gone on (and definitely since the trade deadline), he’s been accumulating important aspects of being a leader, like giving credit to teammates after wins while accepting blame after losses and understanding that he’s in a position where he needs to take over offensively.

There was a spot during the game when Bledsoe had dribbled to the top of the key, with two Suns players between the baseline and elbow on both sides. Nobody was moving to begin the play, and Bledsoe ended up picking up his dribble. Nobody came to his aid and coach Hornacek had to call a timeout with five seconds on the shotclock. Bledsoe was furious with his teammates, flinging the ball back into the court.

Later in the game, Bledsoe had another outburst when his teammates didn’t initiate the play, but he didn’t realize Len had been hurt and the Suns were going to call timeout.

Having a consistent, vocal leader is something this team hasn’t had in years. In my eyes, it’s an absolute must for a championship team. You need that one role model, who works harder than everyone, who’s first to congratulate his teammates and who’s willing to get into them when they need to be fired up.

It’s still too early to call, but if last night was any indication, Bledsoe is on his way to becoming not only the leader, but exactly the kind of leader that this team so badly needs.