Few people could have imagined at the start of the season that in the 2021 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Final The Lakers weren’t going to be there, but far less than one of the contenders and the favorite to win was going to be Phoenix Suns. The magic of the sport is its unpredictability and the Arizonans have earned their privileged place in the fight for a ring for which they amass countless merits. Before the final battle, they will have to face a very intense series before Clippers de Los Angeles, who arrives full of confidence after coming back two series against 0-2, although it is not known whether Kawhi Leonard’s loss can be prolonged and his options dwindle, which has not happened as of yet.
Phoenix Suns, confidence through the roof and plenty of arguments to dream
The competitiveness and experience that Chris Paul brought to this team is the big differential for a very pronounced process of personal growth and basketball to take place for the two great young players: Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. The moves made in management have been sublime, aiming to equip Monty Williams with good defensive weapons at position 3, with Torrey Craig and Jae Crowder, while Mikael Bridges and Dario Saric alternate at position 4, bringing very different things and complementary. to one another. Seriousness, consistency and reliability in a group that came out very strengthened after winning the Lakers and paying homage to the Nuggets. They had to rest and prepare well for the title duel in the West.
Los Angeles Clippers, growth in the face of adversity of an already historic team
Whatever happens, this group of players have carved a place for themselves in the Olympus of Los Angeles franchise, leading the Clippers to a Conference final for the first time in their history, as well as becoming the first team of NBA history which came back two straight playoff games with a 0-2 loss. They did it against the Dallas Mavericks, saving up to two match balls against, and they did it against a Utah Jazz drowned out by the triple success of players like Terrence Mann, Nicolas Batum and Reggie Jackson, who have takes a step forward. with the order to make up for the loss of injury to Kawhi Leonard. An effective Small Ball culminated by the experience of Rajon Rondo and the outside shot of Luke Kennard.
The keys to the tie
The effectiveness of the triple is what usually makes the difference between success and failure in Angelenos. It will be interesting to see if Tyronn Lue persists in his idea of playing with 5 cubs or tries to restore Ivica Zubac’s confidence. Ayton’s intimidating and rebounding ability seems like it could only be replaced with an extreme small ball in which defensive assists were given and an attempt to open the court in attack was made. Ayton will have the responsibility of trying to be important in the paint, acquire good positions in attack, take outside shots with speed in defense and pass the ball when it is over-scored.
Obviously, in the event that Kawhi cannot respawn or is exhausted, Clippers de Los Angeles in the long term, they are greatly reduced. But nothing can be taken for granted in a team that seems to have achieved great cohesion on and off the pitch. In favor of Phoenix Suns There will be Chris Paul’s experience and his ability to provide the team with different paces and ways of competing. Booker will be very important up front, as will Crowder and Craig’s defense against Paul George.
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