Champion Phoenix Suns?
Sounds utopian at first. The Arizona franchise, founded in 1968, has never won the championship in the NBA. The greatest of emotions were two titles in the Western Conference in 1976 and 1993.
But for a good ten years now, the Suns have been chronically unsuccessful. The last time they had reached the playoffs in the 2009/10 season. (Everything you need to know about the NBA)
Phoenix Suns beckons No. 1 in the west
Phoenix can no longer move into the postseason this year. Because: The team of coach Monty Williams is suddenly phenomenal. As second, the Suns are on the verge of catching the Utah Jazz in the race for the top seed in the west.
Who would have thought that before? The strong season arouses longing in the players, even the word “finals” is already used.
“The only possibility that we could meet them again would be in the finals,” said superstar Chris Paul after the thriller win earlier this week against the Milwaukee Bucks (128: 127 after extra time), which are among the title contenders – and indicated start with what one dreams of in Phoenix.
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Wins against Bucks, Jazz, Nuggets, Lakers and Sixers
The course of the season so far proves that these hopes are justified. The Bucks, against which the Suns have already won twice, are not the only favorite that Paul and Co. have already been able to bring to their knees.
The Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are also among their “victims”. Only the LA Clippers and Brooklyn Nets turned out to be too strong. However, it only set narrow defeats in each case. (Schedule for the 2020/21 NBA season)
In addition, the Suns – especially as far as their key players are concerned – have largely been spared injuries so far. Unlike the Lakers, Nuggets and above all the Nets, for example, who are always missing top stars.
Paul, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton in particular are fit and can deliver strong performances week after week.
Booker and Ayton shine
Booker, who emerged from the Disneyworld bubble as the big winner last season in particular, when he was primarily responsible for the Suns’ 8-0 record, has now matured from a super talent to a reliable shooter.
Big Man Ayton, on the other hand, has an average of one double-double per game this season, despite being just 22 years old with 15.2 points and 10.8 rebounds. (Tables of the NBA)
The crucial piece of the puzzle in the successful sun concept is Chris Paul. The eleven-time all-star and future Hall of Famer has taken the team to a new level since his trade in November 2020.
Coach Williams and teammates rave about Paul
“I don’t have enough time to talk about what he’s done,” Williams recently opened his hymn of praise for the playmaker. “He improved our winning mentality.”
But not only that. “He helps me as a coach. Without the communication, the synergy with him, we could not implement certain things on the field,” Williams explains the influence of Paul, who is particularly through his game intelligence, overview and assists on the assembly line shines.
Remarkable: The 35-year-old recently overtook legend Magic Johnson in the list of the best assistants and is now fifth there.
His teammates also rave about Paul. “I’m inspired every day. I tell Chris that every day too. It’s not something I take for granted,” says Booker.
And Ayton, who also emphasizes that especially the young players learn a lot from CP3, says: “The man has proven that he is the ‘Point God’ whenever he plays.”
What the two-time Olympic champion with the US team is still missing, despite his exceptional career, is an NBA title. That is what unites Paul with the Phoenix Suns.
Seldom has the chance of changing exactly that been as great as this year
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