When the Phoenix Suns wrapped up their playoff series with a 4-0 sweep of the Denver Nuggets, a lot of people were left wondering how they pulled off such an epic turnaround. Obviously, critics will claim that Jamal Murray’s ACL tear cut the Nuggets’ season short while others will argue that Nikola Jokić’s ejection in game four was unfair and uncalled for. But a deeper look into the Suns’ past two years reveals a lot more than just injuries and unfortunate fouls…
How the Suns Built the NBA’s Most Exciting Team
Born in the Bubble
In a way, it all began with the play-in tournament from last year’s Bubble.
In 2020, when NBA teams were stuck in the Disney World hotel, a few teams blipped on everybody’s radar. The Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and Miami Heat all suddenly became talent-laden, powerhouse franchises – highlighted by the showcase between Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell in the Nuggets-Jazz series. But one other forgotten bubble team went 8-0 in the Bubble and STILL managed to miss the playoffs… that team was the Phoenix Suns.
Anybody who followed the Bubble knew that Devin Booker was a beast and that the future Suns had incredible potential… but were lacking something. As Damian Lillard and the Blazers won their remaining games to eliminate PHX, there was a feeling that something unique was brewing in the Valley of the Sun. The only thing they needed was a couple of pieces.
Opportunistic Off-Season Additions
Chris Paul, Turnaround Artist
Enter Chris Paul.
Signing Chris Paul could’ve been the equivalent of when the Suns signed Shaquille O’Neal towards the end of his career. An aging veteran whose best years were behind him, most of the NBA “experts” had claimed that CP3 was past his prime. But CP3 was the perfect addition to a talented team led by D-Book and the young Deandre Ayton.
Booker is one of the last true Two-Guards in an NBA that is slowly becoming position-less. Paul has brought in a double-screen pick-and-roll offense and a patience that the young guys were all missing in the past few seasons. He is shooting like he was 25 again. He controls the ENTIRE GAME when he is out there and makes everybody else better. But the Suns’ success this season does not begin and end with Chris Paul.
Jae Crowder, the Glue
Jae Crowder has been bouncing around the league for 8 years. But he had a bright showing in the Bubble Finals while playing for the Miami Heat. When the Suns added him, they brought in playoff experience, muscle, and an inside defensive presence that complimented Ayton’s size. His physicality provides a much-needed boost to a mediocre front line and made Ayton a MUCH better player. (Deandre Ayton is having a breakout year, much to the chagrin of those who were pissed the Suns passed on Luka Dončić for the 7-foot big man.)
Even the fans have been adopting Crowder’s toughness and attitude….
Man, it's been a really rough series for Nuggets fans pic.twitter.com/AmUdlmW8JW
— Josh Sánchez (@joshnsanchez) June 12, 2021
Growth and Development of Young Players
Mikal Bridges
Next, you have to look at the surprising play of Mikal Bridges. Before these playoffs, Mikal Bridges was best known as the guy who won two National Championships while playing at Villanova. The 76ers drafted him and traded him to the Suns for basically a breakfast burrito. And he has blossomed into a certified NBA utility man who averages 13.5 PPG and brings another scoring option to the offense.
Bridges has at times been SO exciting that you begin thinking of him as one of “those guys.” A practically nameless individual who becomes a BIG part of an NBA championship team. For years, the NBA has seen players like this in the forms of Jason Terry, Andre Iguodala, and Leandro Barbosa, to name a few. But Bridges is a special player who could probably demand an absurd Harrison Barnes-like contract should he decide to bounce from PHX after the 2022 season (More about this in a second).
Cameron Johnson
Back in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves took North Carolina sharpshooter Cameron Johnson with the 11th pick. Even his own teammate at the time, Coby White, was SHOCKED that Johnson went so high. In his post-draft interview, he quipped, “Cam got picked 11th?”
Well, guess what – Cam Johnson is a hell of a player. After getting traded to the Suns that same year, Johnson has been a 42% shooter from long distance, and as every team in today’s spread-out NBA knows, a sharpshooter is a part of the title run. From Ray Allen to Danny Green to Kyle Korver, guys like Cam Johnson will forever be in demand.
Cameron Payne
Finally, let’s discuss backup point guard Cameron Payne. Wow. Has there ever been a player – who was most famously known as Russell Westbrook’s “handshake buddy” in Oklahoma City – who blossomed as much as Payne? Chris Paul is one heck of a mentor and has made this kid must-watch basketball whenever he steps on the court to run the second unit. He can get to the rim with ease, handle the rock, and pass with laser-like efficiency. Payne could be running an NBA team himself. But his newfound talents are perfectly suited for the second unit of the Suns this season.
What’s Next?
So the big questions are:
Can these Suns win the NBA title?
And can they keep this squad together?
Yes and no. With Chris Paul already saying he’s seeking a big contract this off-season, all signs point to him departing the Suns for a team like the New York Knicks, who are close to building what Monty Williams has built in Phoenix. Then again, he is 36 years old. Do the Knicks want to drop a 5-year contract on a guy who was playing for the Hornets back when they were still in New Orleans? Probably. That’s just how the Knicks do things.
Another guy who stands to get paid is Ayton. He has one more year on his contract. But look for DA to jump depending on what team needs a center who can defend the most. Mikal Bridges is also a free agent after 2022 as well, and his stock is rising like crazy. But, the one guy who may keep all these guys in place is Devin Booker, who is signed through 2024.
Booker’s skill set and game may be enough to convince Phoenix’s core to stick around should they end up playing in the finals and/or winning the whole thing. If the Suns fall short of the chip this season, CP3 will have a lot to consider, especially given his strong showing in the playoffs. If they win it all? Maybe Paul sticks around to build a dynasty… which we all know is almost impossible in today’s “rebuild or go home” NBA.
Feels Like ’93 Again
As an Arizona kid, the Suns were always an afterthought, until that 1993 team with Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle made the finals, only to lose to MJ and the Bulls. The whole state became Phoenix Suns fans for a few years. And the last time any excitement was brewing in the desert was when Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire had the most devastating pick-and-roll game in the league.
Now, the excitement is back. And with the Clippers-Jazz series looking to go possibly to a game seven, the Suns will have some greatly needed days off ahead of them. Will the extra rest fuel them into the finals? I, for one, hope so… Chris Paul deserves a ring. Booker deserves to be more than the “Most disrespected player in our league” (according to LeBron James). And coach Monty Williams has to shake off the fact that Tom Thibodeau took his “Coach of the Year” award. If the Phoenix Suns continue to play like they have in the next series and beyond, the sky’s the limit for what sort of accomplishments these guys can achieve…
Sure beats getting sent home early from the Bubble…
