The Phoenix Suns proved naysayers wrong last season when they made it to their first NBA Finals appearance in 18 years. Despite bowing out to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and co. still earned a lot of people's respect.
Unfortunately, there are still those who remain unimpressed by the Suns' accomplishments. These doubters have gotten under the skin of Ayton, who's using the disrespect as fuel in Phoenix's Western Conference title defense.
“All that blood and sweat and tears and the sacrifices our team made and you’re trying to say it was a fluke. It’s personal now. I have so much vengeance coming into this league. I’m fed up. That’s just my energy right now.”
To recall, the Suns faced the Los Angeles Lakers who had LeBron James and Anthony Davis hobbling. Their next opponents in the Denver Nuggets and L.A. Clippers were without Jamal Murray and Kawhi Leonard, respectively.
The competition in the Western Conference will be tougher. Los Angeles infused its lineup with battle-tested veterans. Golden State will welcome Klay Thompson back to its fold. The same goes for the Nuggets with Murray. The Jazz, who finished the 2020-21 regular season on top of the standings, will always be a major threat.
While Paul, Booker, and Ayton will continue to lead the Suns' charge, a potential distraction may rear its ugly head as the seven-footer has yet to reach a contract extension. Other members of 2018's class have inked their max deals, but based on recent reports, the Suns aren't convinced yet in giving Ayton the same treatment.
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