Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

NBA: Top 5 moves that raised teams’ title ceilings

By Preston Klaus

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball pressured by Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of the NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena on March 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball pressured by Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of the NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena on March 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Chris Paul
Phoenix Suns Chris Paul (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports) /

No. 1: Chris Paul traded to the Phoenix Suns

Last season, the Suns finished 34-39 and 10th in the Western Conference. They missed out on the playoffs for the 10th season in a row after coming off an 8-0 finish to the NBA Bubble. They looked poised to turn the corner but needed that final piece. That player happened to be Chris Paul.

At 36 years old, it’s safe to say that CP3 having a career resurgence. He shot the highest percentage in the entire NBA from the free-throw line in the regular season at 93.4 percent. His effective field goal percentage was the highest in his career this year at 55.7 percent. He helped lead Phoenix to the No. 2 seed in the West and a 51-21 record, a 17-game turnaround from last season.

In the playoffs, he’s been even better. In round one he helped slay the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers despite a shoulder injury. In round two, he seemed to have recovered from that ailment, averaging 25.5 points per game on 62.7 percent field goal shooting to sweep this year’s MVP.  This included a 37-point barrage in the clinching Game 4 on the road.

After returning from health and safety protocols in round three, he dropped 15 or more in every game he played in leading up to a series-clinching Game 6. Then, he casually scored 41 points on 16-24 shooting, made 7-8 3’s, and committed zero turnovers in that pivotal game to reach the NBA Finals.

At 36 years old, we witnessed, arguably, one of the greatest playoff performances of all time in a series-clinching game. This came with historical magnitude. It was not only to lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals since 1993 but to also make the Finals for the first time in his career, even in the loaded Western Conference.

Don’t even act like people expected a turnaround of this magnitude to happen. No team has ever even made the Finals after missing the playoffs for 10 straight years, according to the New York Times. Phoenix had lengthy +4000 odds to win the championship in the preseason, now four games away from cashing out. The Suns weren’t even favored in round one versus the Lakers as the number 2 seed!

Next. Phoenix Suns: 4 keys to success in the NBA Finals. dark

The Suns are now title favorites against the Milwaukee Bucks. The trade was absolutely worth it. And if they pull it off and win the whole thing, it’ll absolutely be because of this man.

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