Phoenix Suns: Rise Like a Phoenix!☀️

Phoenix Suns: Rise Like a Phoenix!☀️

The Phoenix Suns have had a tough season so far. dealing with injuries and the lack of depth on the roster. It took up until December for the big three to finally make their debut. Devin Booker has now reached his prime. He is playing at the highest level of his career. The Suns have to build him a roster that he can compete with. Bringing him a former MVP, Kevin Durant. He is looking to win his third championship. He wants to prove that he can win one without Steph Curry. Also, trade for Bradley Beal, who is now playing for a team that is worth shit. Outside of those three, there isn't much depth on the roster. Hiring a championship coach in Frank Vogel, who brings a defensive culture to the team, Despite the problems the Suns have faced, they have a 36-25 record in a tough western conference. Devin Booker gets the credit. He has played at a high level despite facing adversity from poor health.

Devin Booker is a superstar. He has been the face of the franchise since 2015. The Suns never built him a great roster in his early years until 2019–20. They brought in Monty Williams to change the culture. They also added veterans like Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre. Then the trade for Chris Paul happened. Devin was able to show that he was a superstar. He wasn't a player who produced empty numbers. Booker led his team to the NBA finals. He came up short in six games. Since then, fan talk has always brought up Phoenix on the contender's list. Devin's game translated so well in the playoffs.

Booker has taken on the role of playmaker for the team. Due to the lack of a point guard on the team, This season, his passing has shined well. Devin is one of the best mid-range shooters in the league. He is a great post-scorer. His strength helps him in this area, along with finishing around the basket, which he is good at. D Book can create shots off the dribble, which makes him an impossible player to guard. Booker is great at transition. The way he can hit the euro step. Booker uses his strength to create contact and get that And 1. Devin Booker has one of the best games in the NBA. Which is why he has won a deep playoff series.

The playoffs for Devin Booker have been shaky. In his 2021 run, he was able to lead the Suns to the finals. From having zero experience in the playoffs to going to the NBA Finals, where he lost to six. Since then, he has struggled in elimination games. In seven games against the Nuggets, Devin only scored 12 points, and in 2021, he scored 11 points. This is a bad look for the guard. He has not been able to close out the series. Now, with Durant joining the Suns, he can take pressure away from Booker.

The former MVP and a man going strong for sixteen seasons. Kevin Durant has again been incredible this season. Everyone talks about LeBron's longevity but ignores the career Kevin has had. Despite his Achilles injury, he has played at an MVP level. KD is averaging 28 points per game, 6.7 rebound per game, and 5.5 rebound. Those are awesome numbers for a 35-year-old. Pressure is off of Durant now that he is second fiddle to Devin Booker. It has made his life easier and less demanding on the body. Kevin has been one of the best players to watch in the postseason.

One of the greatest scorers of all time is Kevin Durant. He can score the mid-range at ease, the three, and drive to the rim. Because of his height, he can score over anybody. Durant can control the pace of the game. KD has great footwork, which helps him score on the post. Kevin can play off the dribble, which further makes him dangerous. The 14-time All Star has awesome handles for his size and is great at pulling up for a jumper. The former MVP is one of the most difficult players to guard. That is why you can never shut Durant out in the post-season.

In the post-season, Kevin Durant has been one of the best players. Dominating in the NBA finals back-to-back years against Lebron James. Earning himself a final MVP for both years. After his injury in 2019, there were questions about whether Durant was able to play at a high level. And he proved that. The Bucks won by the skin of their balls. Averaging a monster 35 points per game, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. He proved to the world that he was still that guy. KD was a toe on the three-point line away from going to the finals. After falling out with the Nets, he found himself in Phoenix. Now, he has a reliable co-star. The Suns even went out to get him a third star.

Bradley Beal has not been healthy this season. But when he is healthy, Beal is an X factor. Brad is one of the best off-ball scorers in the league and can shoot off the screen. Brad is a good ball handler, as he can create his own shot. He is the perfect third guy, along with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The problem that the Suns deal with is that Beal hasn't played in the playoffs in a long time. Since 2020, he has not played in a playoff game. He faces no pressure to show up every night because he's the third option. But Beal should be able to take over when the duo can't shoot. The team added Brad for scoring and brought in Nurkic for paint presence.

Jusuf Nurkić was one of the biggest moves made by the Suns this year. trading away a frustrated DeAndre Ayton in exchange for the veteran big. The Bosnian has had a huge role this season for the Suns. He has created plays by setting screens, which open the floor. Jusuf is one of the smartest players in the league because he knows his role. Nurkić is a good rebounder and passer. And he is good at finishing at the rim and working on the post. While the Bosnian beast is great at playing off the big three, the question comes down to his health. Jusuf Nurkić has not played in a deep playoff run due to his health. Along with Nurkić, the Suns got another great player off the package in Grayson Allen.

Grayson Allen has been incredible this season. He might end the season with a 50-40-90 stat line. Joining the likes of Suns legend Steve Nash and Kevin Johnson. Allen has been the perfect guy on offense to step up when one of the core players is out. Tonight against the Nuggets, he dropped 28 points per game, had 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. While shooting 8–12 from the three-point line. Not only has he been a talented offensive player, but he has also been a talented defensive player. Now, there is pressure for Grayson to become a key player in the playoffs. He never saw that in the past. The Suns depth is weak, but he is one of the better role players they have. At the deadline, forces compelled James Jones to make a trade.

The Suns made a great trade at the deadline. By trading a large part of their bench for Royce O'Neale. He is the perfect role player who can stretch the floor. Shooting 40 percent behind the 3-point arc. One thing I love about his game is his pump fakes. It throws the defense off. Before O'Neale goes up for the shot, the defenders are flying. He is a reliable defender, which gets him on the floor. Royce could be a huge factor in the playoffs. A perfect role player on the roster who can play off of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. But the question comes: can the depth of the Suns come up big in the playoffs?

Phoenix has questionable players on their roster. Eric Gordon is far away from his six man of the year days. He has been streaky this season. Bol Bol is a player who has struggled to get minutes. A guy who has shown himself to be a good offensive player, but he is trash at defense. Saben Lee is an energy player off the bench. And Josh Okogie is a good defender. There is no depth on the roster. There is a lot of pressure on these guys to perform. The lack of a backup guard has hurt the organization. Due to the lack of playmakers on the team, there have been times when the Suns blow the lead. The Suns have had a winning season this year while dealing with many injuries.

The sun has rose like a Phoenix this year. Despite the coaching change, new players, and injuries, the Suns have lacked depth. But they have played through it all. The Suns have been one of the worst fourth-quarter teams in the league. It is the hole in their team. They lack playmakers, which leads to teams jacking up shots without an offensive play being set up. But, despite the weakness, Phoenix can't count themselves out. They have two of the best offensive players on their team. With the West out in the open, the Suns could force their way into the finals. The Western Conference has been exciting this year. It will be fun to see how far they can make it.

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