The Phoenix Suns dropped two important games in the past week versus the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. After an impressive run in the past couple of weeks, this was by far their toughest stretch—losing six out of their four games. Is fatigue getting in the way? Or are other teams just getting healthy? These are questions that are looming over in Phoenix but here’s why the Suns shouldn’t panic just yet.
Chris Paul was born a winner
The biggest argument against Paul is that he hasn’t won a championship ring, like many superstars in this league. But there’s no denying that wherever Paul goes, he brings the winning culture with him. He did that when he suited up for the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, who a lot thought were a lottery team last season.
Chris Paul has 6 games this season with 10+ assists and 0 turnovers.
No other player has more than 2.
He is 36 years old and this is his 16th season. pic.twitter.com/cyqIyE0bTr
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 8, 2021
Despite his injury concerns come playoff time, Paul has the ability to outsmart opponents. Playoffs are all about outplaying the teams based on x and o’s and techniques, which Paul strives in. Moreover, there’s a reason why Paul is an MVP candidate this season, averaging 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game. If his teammates specifically Booker, Jae Crowder, Deandre Ayton can play to their utmost potential then Paul can help their offense be a threat come playoff time.
We saw him perform with the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, coming up huge in crunch time. With an even better roster on his side, and another shotmaker in Devin Booker, Paul's definitely going to bring it once again.
Booker can still find his stride
If there’s one thing we know about Booker, it’s his ability to get into rhythm and be a deadly scorer. He’s averaging 25.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season and is really the most prominent scorer of the team. If Booker is having a terrible shooting night, the Suns suffer tremendously. Take the Lakers’ game for example, Booker was held to just 21 points in 35 minutes which is one of the main reasons why they lost. For the Suns to make it far, Booker needs to play like he did in the bubble.
Devin Booker Crossover In Transition pic.twitter.com/DvWJkArTpW
— Half Court Hoops (@HalfCourtHoops) May 10, 2021
The good news is that Booker still has a couple of games to get into rhythm. Good scorers don’t need more than one game to get in the zone. If he can continue to be a threat for the opponent’s defense and find his open teammates then the Suns can capitalize on that. Ultimately for them to make it far, Booker needs to do what the great Kobe Bryant told him to do— be legendary.
Role players can play winning basketball
Aside from Booker and Paul, the Suns need their role players to step up just as much as well. It’s fair to argue that one of the biggest weaknesses of the Suns compared to other Western Conference teams is their bench. That’s why so much attention is on Paul and Booker when it comes to the defense. To avoid this, role players like Crowder need to make their threes. Ayton needs to eat inside the paint while Mikal Bridges and Torrey Creig should provide more scoring.
Jae Crowder : 20 points on 6-10 shooting from 3, 2-3 from the FT line & 4 rebounds in 32 minutes pic.twitter.com/e1S71W5eCq
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) May 12, 2021
The bottomline is, the Suns should not sweat over two games. Were they important? Sure but that doesn’t mean their season is over. They’re still very much in position to secure the second seed. What they have to really focus on is to get their players in rhythm, execute their x and o’s and make sure guys like Booker, Crowder and Paul can lead the team every night.
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