Phoenix Suns: 4 reasons why the new-look Suns will make the playoffs
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the surprise teams of the NBA this season; here are four reasons why they’re poised to make the playoffs
The Stephen Curry injury changes things a lot in the Western Conference playoff race. With the Warriors’ main man sidelined for up to three months with a broken hand, the team’s playoff chances are shrinking smaller and smaller by the day.
While this is certainly not the direction the Dubs’ front office was hoping to go in to start the season, it could actually make things even more interesting in the Western Conference.
With a playoff spot now potentially up for grabs, there are several teams that will be looking to take advantage of this situation and make some noise of their own.
The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans were both teams I had picked to compete for playoff spots before the start of the season but due to Zion’s injury for the Pels and the fact that the Kings have been nothing short of a disaster, both of these squads are likely going to be on the outside looking in come season’s end.
So that leaves a few teams to battle it out amongst themselves.
The Spurs have looked pretty good so far and will always be in with a shot with Pop on the sidelines.
The Timberwolves have surprised some people this year and could be in with a shot if they can sustain their current level of play. KAT has played like an MVP to start the year. Andrew Wiggins has shown some promising signs and Coach Saunders seems to have everyone on the roster buying into what they are doing.
But the team I wanted to talk about most today – the team that has taken everyone by surprise so far – is the Phoenix Suns.
*I also talk about all of this (and a lot more) in the latest episode of the Around the Arc podcast which you can listen to instead of doing all this reading if you want (check it out below)!I don’t know of anyone who had the Phoenix Suns picked to make the playoffs before the season started and once it came out that DeAndre Ayton was to be suspended, their odds became even more insurmountable.
But…
The Suns currently sit at 5-2 which has them right in the thick of the playoff mix out west. What’s even more astonishing, however, is the fact that each of their two losses was by one point which means we could easily be witnessing a 7-0 Phoenix team right now which actually feels weird to write down.
So what exactly is at the root of this unbelievable turnaround?