Problem with Phoenix is that it's competing with some other really good 4-drops: Hazoret & Chandra. One can only have so many 4-drops. I only have two each of the Hazoret and Chandra because they're legendary, leaving two spaces for Phoenix.
I played that deck quite a lot and 3 Phoenix was amazing precisely coz the Legendary clause, that also makes me wonder are you dropping your hand fast enough for Hazoret?
After Ramunap ruins were banned, this deck needed a way to use floating mana, that made room for a higher curve and cards like Glory Bringer, you run 25 lands and I think you are right on that number this deck is a beast when it curves out but without Ramunap ruins and Kenrha there is little to be done when you flood.
Sure Kenra dies to Whirler but a 4/4 haste creature that disables a blocker is a most welcomed sight at 6 mana.
The same thing with Crusher that guy is an integral part of the deck IMO, removing blockers lets you connect and if not at least it makes better trades.