The Phoenix Suns surprised NBA fans around the world with their run to the 2021 NBA Finals. Even though they ultimately fell to the Milwaukee Bucks, the feat is still impressive. The context makes it even more impressive, as the Suns have not made the playoffs since 2010. While most were positive, there were some reactions that the run was a fluke, and caused by major injuries around the Western Conference. However, the start of this season is showing the Suns are for real. Here are two bold reasons why the Suns are repeating their NBA Finals run.
Suns going back to the Finals
Team balance, especially in defense
The real reason why the Suns made the run they have last year is equal distribution within the roster. Obviously, Devin Booker is the absolute leader of the team offensively. However, it is the contributions of everyone else that really stick out when the season is considered. Booker is holding his own, with 23.2 points per game on shooting splits of 45.8/40.3/85.7. Those are really good numbers, but he is only able to do this because his team is fulfilling their roles.
All around, eight players in the Suns' roster are averaging over 10.0 points per game. That does include Frank Kaminsky, that only played nine games, but it is still an impressive number. The player that came into his own the most this season is Deandre Ayton, who has been a menace on both ends of the court. He is averaging 16.9 points and 11.1 rebounds, with a solid defensive game as well. It is not ideal, but as Ayton was labeled as a poor defensive center, his play this season has shown us a different side. Contributions of guys like Cameron Johnson, Cameron Payne, and JaVale McGee also deserve a mention here.
What might surprise many is that the Suns have the third-best defense in the league. They are containing teams to just 104.5 points per game, which is the fourth-best in the league. Additionally, their opponents shoot just 43.9% from the field, 49.7% on two-point shots, and they force 15.8 turnovers per game. These defensive stats are great and are a sign of the great work done by coach Monty Williams.
These are all great signs pointing to the future of this roster. It is well-known that defense wins championships and the Suns have that covered. Now, it is also important to mention that this did not just materialize out of thin air. Williams has steadily stabilized their defense, jumping from 17th to 9th in defensive rating in his first two seasons. It is also a testament to great work done by GM James Jones, who brought in players like Jae Crowder, a defensive specialist. Altogether, the roster looks balanced, and it does not look like they will stop.
Good conditioning and fitness
The Suns have a few things that might put them ahead of other teams, but one is fairly obvious – outside of Chris Paul, this is a young and hungry roster. Out of the nine players mentioned earlier, those that average 10.0 or more points per game this season, only two are over the age of 30. Paul and McGee are the only ones that are really catching their last wagon for a deep playoff run and potential title, while others are very young. Booker is just 25, even though it feels like he has been in the league forever. Bridges is the same age as Booker, while Ayton is 23.
Apart from the age, the team also generally avoids injuries. Booker is out now due to a hamstring injury, and Ayton also missed time, but it does not look like anything too serious. Paul, who is 36, played every game of the season, just like Bridges, McGee, Johnson, and Crowder. This is a reliable squad that the Suns can count on, which bodes well with their plan to reach a high position in the standings for the playoffs. While this might sound like it will come back to haunt them, Williams also does well in minutes distribution.
For example, just one Suns player is in the top 50 in minutes per game this season, per ESPN. It is not Ayton, Booker, or Paul, but Mikal Bridges, who is sharing 27th place with the likes of Steph Curry and Karl Anthony Towns, to name a few. Booker is only playing 32.2 minutes per contest, which is nothing compared to the 37.1 that LeBron James plays, or 37.0 that Kevin Durant plays. If this continues, the Suns should enter the playoffs as fresh as possible, which can be key for their further success.
The Suns look set to finally get Chris Paul a title to finish up his impressive resume. They are really doing it in a great fashion and the first part of the season has completely shunned away all criticism that the finals run was a fluke. Of course, this all is pointless if the Suns cannot continue this, but barring a major injury to one of their stars, this has all signs of a repeat run to the NBA Finals.
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