Seven games in and the Suns still look dominant
Don’t look now, but the Phoenix Suns might be a really good team yet again. You wouldn’t know it though because all anyone wants to talk about is the dumpster fire in Los Angeles.
Last year the Suns were poised to win it all until their epic collapse against Dallas ended their season. Their fall from grace made the mainstream media rethink their legitimacy. What is baffling is that the team that was considered the best in the NBA for a majority of last season, who have kept all of their core players, can be disregarded. Between the Game 7 loss and all the chaos of the offseason, everyone was down on the Suns.
Although it’s still the first month in a very long season, the Suns look like contenders. Through five games the Suns boast the second best record in the Western Conference with just one loss.
Concerns over the bench look unfounded
This Phoenix Suns bench might be better than advertised. Going into this season there was skepticism that the Suns had a deep enough bench to attempt another championship run. While the stars are still playing like stars, it’s the bench that seems to be surprising everyone.
The additions they added in the offseason weren’t the sexiest but they definitely fit in with the team. The heroics of Damian Lee stunned the Mavericks in the season opener, instantly putting fans on notice. Jock Landale is a name that we didn’t think would turn heads but he’s making an impact. Landale was a key component in beating the defending champion Golden State Warriors, putting up 17 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. There was a concern about who would be productive enough to backup Deandre Ayton but Landale is excelling in that role.
Core pieces are still performing
Not only did we keep the core of the team together, they are all getting better. Deandre Ayton has been criticized for looking scared in his first few seasons with the Suns. This doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. He’s been asserting his dominance, something we have been wanting to see more out of him. Mikal Bridges is having another defensive player of the year-level campaign and solidifying himself as a consistent and reliable asset to the team. They don’t give out perfect attendance awards in the NBA but Bridges would take it home with the longest active streak with 314 consecutive games played.
Chris Paul has taken a step back this year, which seems to be strategic. With Paul no longer relied on as the primary scorer, it paves the way for others to step up. Devin Booker is also stepping up as a leader of the team. Book has always shown great leadership but you can’t help but feel this is really his team. Booker is also playing some of the best basketball of his career.
Of course, it’s way too early to crown them, but the Suns seem off to a hot start. If this is any indication of how the rest of the season will go, the Suns will be contenders.
The teams that the Suns have beaten thus far aren’t anything to sneeze at, they are all playoff-caliber teams. Give credit to coach Monty Williams for making the necessary adjustments and to the players for coming into the season with more aggression.
It will only be a matter of time before they put the league and the mainstream media on notice.
