Remember a couple of days ago where I said that I’m not allowed to like LeBron James, so when I compliment him, you know it’s important? Okay well, like, triple that for Chris Paul. I cannot stand this man at all. It pisses me off how he plays basketball. I have never, and I repeat, NEVER been a fan of Chris Paul as a basketball player. That being said, I have to give credit where it is due. With the addition of Chris Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder this past offseason, the Phoenix Suns have upped their game, and continued their play from “The Bubble” last year.
Right now, the Suns are 7-4, which is third in the Western Conference, only behind the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers. Some of their losses have been concerning, like the ones against Pistons and the Kings, but overall they have played incredible basketball, albeit incredible for the Suns. The Suns haven’t exactly had anything to be excited about since Steve Nash left, so it’s good to see them in high spirits again. They have looked very good, even top four seed good, especially against the Nuggets and the Jazz, but how long can this last?
Some players you can tell are playing better specifically because of Chris Paul’s presence. Guys like Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson have upped their level of play, and have become important role players in the Suns’ offence. Devin Booker remains steady with 23 points and 4.3 assists a game, while shooting 48% from the floor, and 34.8% from deep. It’s unusual to see Booker not score 35 a night for the Suns to get a win, but it is a refreshing new look. From the eye test, it seems that Booker is learning the ability to slow the game down, and dictate the flow of the game, and you can only attribute that to Chris Paul. Paul has been able to run so many different types of offense throughout his career, that it is only natural for Booker to add that skill to he repertoire.
There are other guys on the team that have impressed me so far as well. Cam Payne is a guy who for the longest time was only seen as the guy who Russell Westbrook did his pregame handshakes with, but he’s morphed into a solid backup point guard with 7.7 points and 4.3 assists per game. You know I had to talk about a former Celtic somehow, and Jae Crowder is playing well in his role as well with almost 10 points per game while shooting 35% from deep, not to mention bringing toughness and that all important veteran leadership along with Chris Paul.
The Suns are not without their faults, however. I will be the first to admit that I am a bit underwhelmed with Jevon Carter’s performance so far this season. A lot of his game can’t be seen on a box score, but I know from his time at West Virginia that he has the ability to not only disrupt teams with his defense at an elite level, but he has the ability to lead an offense, whether that’s finding his own shot, or getting others involved. More than anything, if Carter was to be reduced to a “stand in the corner and shoot” role, I know that he is better than 22% from deep.
Deandre Ayton is another person that I’m disappointed with. 12 points and 11 rebounds a game is really good for a role player, not the former #1 pick in the draft. Above all else, from what I’ve been able to see, it just looks like he doesn’t care when he’s on the floor. His motor isn’t running. He isn’t setting picks hard, he isn’t rolling or cutting to the basket hard enough, he isn’t playing defense anywhere close to what he is capable of, and he just looks like he’s waiting for a bus, rather than playing a basketball game. If Ayton could play like he cared more than he is now, I think this Suns team would be a pretty difficult out in the playoffs, but I’m just not seeing it.
So, are the Suns for real? I’m leaning towards no. They’ll be a playoff team in my mind, maybe even the fourth seed, but I would still imagine that without much playoff experience that they would be outed in the first round. There are some obvious tweaks that the team needs to make to be at the next level, but there is still a lot of season left, so maybe they make the necessary adjustments before the playoffs come around. Only time will tell.
Round The Game 
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