Do Suns have everything to be champions?
With three weeks to go before the play-in – and eventually – the NBA playoffs, there is a heavy favorite, a ‘silent’ candidate and an under-the-radar champion for many.
What can we expect in the remainder of the campaign, and will an Eastern Conference champion emerge once again?
- Do the Suns have everything to be champions?
If we look at the standings and focus the discussion on the win-loss record (58-14), then there is no doubt that Phoenix is not only a contender, but a big favorite to reach the finals again and, this time, win it.
The Suns are 9 games ahead of second place (Memphis at 40-23) even with 20 games left to play. They are fourth in offensive production (114.9 pts per game), sixth in defense (allowing 106.5 pts per game and leaders in differential (+8.4) and efficiency with 48.6% shooting.
The roster has a natural born leader like Chris Paul who always remains in force, a star in Devin Booker capable of being a leader when CP3 is not on the court, a lot of young talent in Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne, as well as productive veterans like Jae Crowder, JaValle McGee, Torrey Craig and Bismack Biyombo. And as if that weren’t enough, their coach Monty Williams is one of the best in the NBA without a doubt.
To these ingredients, we must add that last season they were on the verge of becoming champions after losing to Milwaukee in the Finals. If they return to the Finals, they will already know what it is like to get there and will have the necessary experience to correct any mistakes that may have been made.
- Can Milwaukee repeat last year’s achievement?
Between the drama of the Nets and Sixers, the consistency of the Heat, the great start of the Bulls, and the emergence of the Celtics, it would seem that the defending champion Bucks have flown under the radar for most of the season in the East, let alone the rest of the NBA.
However, the closer we get to the playoffs, the more Milwaukee is looking like the team to beat for the championship. And it’s not just the experience factor, the champion’s heart that cannot be underestimated and the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is gaining momentum in the MVP race: the returns of Brook Lopez, George Hill and Pat Connaughton mean that the Bucks would have a full and healthy roster to defend their championship. If they make the playoffs like this, in short, Giannis and company would have everything to repeat.
- Is Miami the NBA’s silent NBA contender?
Being in first place in the East already takes away all the discretion. Having a 2.5-game lead over the reigning NBA champions shows that what the Heat have done in the last few seasons is no fluke. They reached the Finals in the Bubble and knew how to shore up their roster for this one with elements such as Kyle Lowry or P.J. Tucker, pieces that, while not indispensable, did provide versatility and depth to the squad.
In addition, the Heat have one of the best coaches in the NBA in Erik Spoelstra, who has been in charge of the team since 2008. For now, with the exception of the Brooklyn Nets, I don’t see anyone who can undermine Miami’s path to the Finals and once there, I wouldn’t rule them out as a title favorite.
- Fact or fiction: the next champion may come out of the Eastern Conference.
Fiction. To claim that the champion will come out of the East is to underestimate the potential of the Phoenix Suns, the most solid team of the regular season, the Warriors, who have not been complete and healthy all season and Memphis, a young team on the rise that can believe it in a season without a wide favorite. Certainly, there is quality and quantity in the East, starting with Bucks, 76ers, Heat. Celtics and perhaps the Nets. But if the regular season gives any indication, Suns and Warriors have 6-3 records against these East favorites and Memphis 3-4 with several matchups remaining. - Must the 76ers avoid second place at all costs?
Yes. In fact, they started this week resting Embiid and Harden, probably for this very reason. The reason? To avoid the Brooklyn Nets in a potential first-round matchup. We do not know what will happen in the ‘play in’. Ben Simmons may return and Kyrie Irving may start at home. These are things we don’t know, but what the 76ers do know, is that an inspired Kevin Durant? That’s not good for them. However, a Bulls or Cavaliers? Those are, on paper, beatable opponents for a team like Philadelphia. And if that happens, the excuses are gone for Doc Rivers and James Harden. Win or win.
