The Suns Rising in the West

The young Phoenix Suns put the NBA on notice last year after going 8-0, albeit in an effort that missed the playoffs, in the bubble led by their young star Devin Booker. Years of accumulating young talent through drafting and trades may have been finally paying off. To take the next step in 2021 the team would need to add veteran leadership and did just that in acquiring point guard Chris Paul this past offseason. Paul led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an unexpected playoff appearance last season. Phoenix’s cast of young studs would clearly be improved coming into the new season, but by how much?

Adding a Hall of Fame point guard to a team of Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Dario Saric would most likely contend for a playoff spot. Fast forward to March 2021, and the team finds itself sitting at 23-11, 2nd in the western conference just before the all-star break. The team had anticipated an improved record this season, but a start this hot was completely unforeseen. Booker (25 ppg) and Paul (9 apg) are quickly establishing themselves as one of the most dangerous backcourts in the NBA.

The Suns are 16-3 in their past 19 games and are only looking up at the Utah Jazz in the standings. They are currently ahead of the defending champion Lakers, Clippers, and every Eastern Conference team record-wise. Chris Paul is a legitimate MVP candidate for a franchise who has not had a player win the award since Steve Nash won it back-to-back in 2005 and 2006. CP3 had proven to age like a fine wine last year in OKC and this year seeming to be the veteran piece this young Phoenix squad needed to take the next step.

The next question is how far can the Paul and Booker duo take this team? This year will be the first playoff experience for the majority of the roster. Even CP3 has made it to the conference finals just once throughout his entire career. Keys to getting ready for a playoff run could potentially include adding bench depth. Stockpiling wins now while Anthony Davis is out for the Lakers could also be key to securing a top seed if they were to hit a skid later on this season.

In key playoff moments when you need points, Devin Booker is a guy you would want to have the ball. He is a pure scorer, the only knock on him in this situation is he would lack the playoff experience. Chris Paul will have to be the veteran stronghold for a playoff run, but he has proven to fulfill this role during his first half-season with the team. Having to face a Jazz, Clippers, or Lakers team in the playoffs would be the tallest order the ripe Phoenix squad has seen thus far. The young Suns are on the rise, the future is bright, and tough competition awaits them.

Written by: Kyle Coreth

March 3rd, 2021