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People tried to dismiss what the Phoenix Suns did last season coming into the year. Everyone was talking about how the Suns only got to where they are last year due to injuries of players on the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers last year.
If someone is still saying stuff like that, they are either a complete hater or aren't paying attention to this Suns squad. Everything they accomplished last season was definitely not a fluke, as evidenced by the fact that they are once again the top team in the NBA. There is no way to deny that they are the best team in the NBA, and the only other team to whom they can be compared is the Milwaukee Bucks, who beat them in the finals last season. The Suns, on the other hand, recently faced the Bucks and easily defeated them. There is no doubt that Phoenix is the top team in the NBA right now.
Although the playoffs might be a little tougher for them this time around, given the Golden State Warriors' excellent play, they'll still have to contend with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as clubs like the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz. There is no reason to expect that anyone other than the Suns will make it out of the Western Conference this season. Throughout the regular season, they've been by far the best team in the NBA, and they appear to be on their way to repeating what they accomplished a year ago, but this time, possibly winning it all.
Let's take a look at three reasons why the Phoenix Suns are the favorites to win the Western Conference this season.
Winning an NBA title is never easy. As we have seen with the past 20 champions, every team is going to need something significant to go their way. Whether that is an unfortunate injury to someone, or having guys on the roster step up more than they ever have. There is a reason why winning a championship is so hard, and a reason why we have seen crazy upsets in the past. If a team is going to win a title, they’re going to need everyone on their roster to be playing the best basketball they possibly can, and even sometimes that isn’t enough to get the job done.
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Suns Western Conference
3. Chris Paul's leadership
The Phoenix Suns have been playing their best basketball in a season and a half for a variety of reasons. Phoenix wasn't a particularly good squad before Chris Paul arrived. They had a nice little season during the Bubble year, but it wasn't enough to even make the playoffs.
When Chris Paul arrived in Phoenix, the Suns began to play like one of the top teams in the league. There's no doubting the sort of leadership that he possesses, which is why everyone who has played with him has consistently stated that he is the best leader they have ever encountered.
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If Phoenix wants to keep playing this style of basketball, Chris Paul will have to continue to be the seasoned leader who can also get things done on the floor. He has done this for most of his career, so there's no reason to expect he won't continue to be the high-level leader he has always been.
2. They are without a doubt the best team in the NBA, right now
If someone held a gun to your head right now and said, “Pick one team from the Western Conference to represent in the NBA championships,” the easy answer is the Phoenix Suns. There's no doubting that this team has been the best in the NBA for this season, and that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.
Phoenix's dilemma now is whether they can continue to play this style of basketball in the playoffs. If the previous year and a half have proved anything, there's no reason to distrust this squad, but there will always be doubts about a team's ability to carry their regular-season domination into the playoffs.
Many teams have dominated the regular season in the last decade and a half and went on to be disappointed in the playoffs. But, Phoenix does not appear to be that sort of team right now. They were in the NBA Finals last season, so they know precisely what they need to do to go back there and how to play when the spotlight is shining hardest on them.
1. Devin Booker has to be Devin Booker
Devin Booker has always been regarded as an elite scorer. Everyone knew he was going to be a high-level scorer from the moment he entered the league, but it's hard to see anyone imagining him as one of the NBA's top ten players. Obviously, you could build a list of ten players that are arguably better than him, but there's no reason why he shouldn't be in the top five MVP race right now.
Booker has been playing excellent basketball all season, and if Phoenix wants to maintain their regular-season domination in the postseason, he must continue to be Devin Booker.
