The Phoenix Suns are waiting patiently for their NBA Finals opponent as the Eastern Conference Finals draw closer to a conclusion. For now, the Milwaukee Bucks lead the series 3-2 over the Atlanta Hawks, with Game 6 taking place back in Atlanta on Saturday. This series has been close throughout, and the next matchup should be exciting.
For the Suns, they likely don't care all that much who they play, as they have the confidence to win the championship regardless. However, from an advantage standpoint, the Suns should be rooting for the Hawks to come back and pull an upset, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo currently injured. It would be an intriguing matchup, to say the least, with Chris Paul squaring off against Trae Young. Old versus new, for all of the marbles.
Even so, the Suns match up with the Hawks rather well. It would be a tough series for Atlanta, as the Suns have looked close to perfect throughout this postseason. Outside of the point guard position, there would be a battle down low that could be one for the ages. Additionally, Devin Booker has the potential to be the deciding factor if this series comes to fruition.
Here are three reasons why the Suns should want to face the Hawks in the 2021 NBA Finals.
1. Chris Paul vs. Trae Young is a more favorable matchup
Young is a prolific player who scores at will and can dictate the game with his playmaking. However, he's vulnerable on the defensive end and could struggle going up against Chris Paul in a seven-game series. Paul will want the lesser defender on him, as it will make his life a bit easier in the Finals. Jrue Holiday is an elite defender, and his length could cause problems for Paul and the Suns if the Bucks advance.
Plus, don't forget that Young is currently gimpy with an ankle injury, and it's currently unclear when he'll return and how effective he'll be if/when he does.
2. Deandre Ayton can body up Clint Capela
We just witnessed Brook Lopez go bonkers in the paint with Clint Capela guarding him … or at least trying to guard him. Capela is typically a lockdown defender, but after watching the Bucks manhandle him in Game 5, Deandre Ayton has to be champing at the bit to play Atlanta.
Ayton has held up against some of the best post players the Western Conference has to offer and has become the star the Suns believed he could become this postseason. Ayton versus Capela would be fun, but it's likely Ayton takes advantage of him more often than not.
3. Who is guarding Devin Booker?
With De'Andre Hunter down for the season with an injury, the Hawks are without a key perimeter defender. Cam Reddish did just return from his own injury and Kris Dunn is another option, but throwing Reddish into that fire right away would be a tough ask and Dunn is an awful offensive player.
Bogdan Bogdanović? Kevin Huerter? Tony Snell? Lou Williams? None of these guys are premier defenders and would struggle greatly on the defensive end against Booker. At least Khris Middleton has the length to get in Booker's face if the Bucks advance. If Atlanta moves to the Finals, Booker could be in store for big performances throughout the series.
The Suns have a well-balanced team that could really take advantage of the Hawks, even though Atlanta has surprised everybody and defied the odds throughout the playoffs. Even so, the Suns will be too much for the Hawks to handle and Devin Booker will light them up on a nightly basis. Atlanta has the offense to hang with anybody, but the lack of perimeter defense leaves them exposed against Phoenix.
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