The Phoenix Suns are officially heading to the Western Conference Finals after sweeping MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night in the Mile High City. Considering where the Suns were sitting at this point last season, this is truly a great story. They've defied all the odds and are becoming a legitimate contender in the process.
Now, Phoenix has won seven straight playoff games, and, frankly, no one has shown the ability to stop them. Here are five reasons why the Suns should be considered an NBA title favorite.
1. Dominant defensively
The Suns were in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating during the regular season. In the postseason, Monty Williams' team has stepped up heavily when it comes to limiting their opponents. Phoenix has the second-best defensive rating in the playoffs, which comes down to the tremendous effort and communication the Suns have between one another.
Jae Crowder is the grit of the rotation who gets under the skin of the opposition and always gives 110%. There's also such a wide array of versatility throughout the roster on the defensive end. While Deandre Ayton caused problems for Jokic in this Nuggets series because of his strength and size around the hoop, the Suns have several wings who can guard numerous positions, too. Mikal Bridges and Cam Payne are quick and shifty defenders who don't give up much, while Devin Booker and CP3 are cogs defensively. Phoenix has held its playoff opponents to a mere 42.3% clip from the field and just 32% from downtown. They defend the perimeter very well and rarely give up clean looks.
2. Booker making a statement
We'll get to the supporting cast later on, but we first have to look at one of the main pieces to their superstar duo: Devin Booker. He has been waiting for the moment to finally shine in the playoffs and needless to say, Book has stepped up to the plate and heavily delivered.
The former Kentucky standout absolutely torched LA and Denver. Booker is averaging 27.9 points in the playoffs while shooting 38% from 3-point range. He's scoring in every way imaginable, whether he's getting in the paint and hitting that signature floater or stepping back and hitting a deep 3. You can just tell Book is poised for this moment. He has been doing this type of thing for several years, but no one believed Booker could play at this level in the postseason. He's proving all the doubters wrong.
3. CP3 is poised
Paul has been haunted with injuries in the playoffs for almost his entire career. While it looked as if the bad luck was once again following him after hurting his shoulder in Game 1 of the first round, CP3 has responded with authority. While he didn't play huge minutes against the Lakers, Paul was nothing short of amazing in this Nuggets series.
We all know the impact he has had on the Suns. The veteran's leadership and ability to make everyone around him better was felt from Day 1, helping the Suns secure the No. 2 seed in the regular season. But at 36 years old, who would've known Paul would be shining so bright?
That shoulder injury is an afterthought now, with CP3 even dropping 37 points in the series clincher on Sunday. In the series, Paul averaged 25.5 points and dished out a ridiculous 41 assists in four games. Oh, he also shot close to 60% overall and 100% from the line. He literally couldn't be stopped. Paul is proving that you don't need to shoot 3s at a ridiculous rate to be successful in the NBA. The 36-year-old has perfected his mid-range game, which has been impossible for opponents to guard.
While there's no doubt he'll be heading to the Hall of Fame one day, Paul has yet to win a title. This is his best chance at one right now. With the way CP3 is playing currently, there isn't anyone who is going to stop him. You can double-team Paul, but instead he'll just thrive as a playmaker. Give CP3 room and he's just going to keep torching you from mid-range.
This is Chris Paul's time to finally win that ring.
4. The supporting cast has been brilliant
Sure, Book and Paul have led the way, but there are other players on this team who have risen to the occasion on a consistent basis in the postseason. Crowder brings Finals experience and 3-point shooting to the table for the Suns and has knocked down countless clutch shots throughout their journey so far.
Bridges and Cameron Johnson are gritty on both ends and can also make it rain from downtown. Payne is one of the best comeback stories in the NBA and has added a scoring punch off the bench.
Then, there's Ayton. He has fully broken out in the postseason. Aside from limiting the MVP, the former Arizona star is scoring at will and playing tremendous defense. He has been a physical presence in the paint for the Suns and a reliable scorer on the glass. If they do come up against the Jazz in the next round, Ayton will have no problem going toe-to-toe with Rudy Gobert, either. He has the strength and size to do so.
From top to bottom, Phoenix is deep. There is no shortage of players who can get buckets.
5. With Brooklyn's injuries, the Suns can beat anyone
Okay. If the Nets' Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden were all healthy, it would be tough to say the Suns could beat them in a potential NBA Finals matchup. But that's not the case. Kyrie just sprained his ankle, while Harden has another hamstring injury. The timetable for both players is unknown at this point. At this rate, the Milwaukee Bucks could even take them out because it's essentially just Durant trying to carry the load.
The Suns are great on both ends, but containing the Big 3 would be extremely tough. However, an unhealthy Brooklyn team is very beatable. Past them, Phoenix can take out any team left in the playoffs. They truly have the talent and depth to win a title.
The Suns are absolutely rolling and absolutely no one is going to intimidate this group right now. Seeing the Nets deal with more health issues has to have Chris Paul and co. licking their chops because they know that a Larry O'Brien Trophy is truly in the cards.
The Suns are ready for this moment.
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