Hoops Habit
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How The Phoenix Suns Became Fun Again

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 5, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (right) is lifted up by teammate Marquese Chriss as they celebrate Ulis buzzerbeater against the Boston Celtics at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Celtics 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (right) is lifted up by teammate Marquese Chriss as they celebrate Ulis buzzerbeater against the Boston Celtics at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Celtics 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Nov 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (35) against the Detroit Pistons at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Looking Forward

Though this recent streak of success has concerned some fans hoping for a great draft pick, the Suns are still two games “ahead” of the Orlando Magic in the tank race, and 2.5 games up on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Even if falling out of the top three is cause for alarm, at least the Suns would be doing it the right way this time. Winning games with veterans past their prime to barely sneak into the postseason in a down year would’ve been a waste; winning games while playing the players who are core pieces of the franchise’s future — and STILL most likely keeping a top-five draft pick — is not.

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In a talented and deep 2017 NBA Draft, a top-five pick (currently top-three) would give the Suns a great rookie to add to this exciting youth movement. It could be a point guard, which would potentially make Eric Bledsoe expendable in a trade that could net Phoenix even more young talent and future draft picks.

As for the rest of the season, there’s plenty to like here. Whether the Suns lose out the rest of the way or win too much to fall out of the top three in the draft, this team has gone from being an unbearable viewing experience to legitimately exciting.

Though Dragan Bender still hasn’t resumed basketball activities, he should be back in a few weeks, and unlike the first half of the season, he’ll get ample minutes alongside his fellow rookies. If Len struggles or there’s foul trouble, we may even get to see Chriss and Bender together in the frontcourt as a 4/5 combo.

Meanwhile, T.J. Warren is quietly averaging 16.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on 64.3 percent shooting since the break. We’re getting a better look at what Alex Len actually is. Even the Suns Gorilla is going viral for slip-n-sliding all over the court.

The sample size is admittedly small, but the Suns are suddenly competing with top teams in the league, they’re winning games with an unprecedentedly young core and they’re lighting up the highlight reels with chase-down blocks, game-winners and high-flying dunks.

"“We’re moving the ball, we’re playing as a team, we’re talking defensively, all the young guys are going at it, we even got Devin Booker playing defense now,” Ulis joked."

Next: 2017 NBA Trade Deadline: Grades For All 30 Teams

If Devin Booker playing defense doesn’t tell you how special and fun this Suns youth movement has become, nothing will. After months of waiting for this exact transition, the results have been even better than anyone anticipated.

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