NBA Power Rankings Week 16: Rise of the Phoenix Suns

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Mikal Bridges #25 talk during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns

Last Week: Beat Houston Rockets 133-130, Beat/OT Utah Jazz 117-113, Lost to LA Clippers 113-103, Beat Washington Wizards 134-106

This Week: 4/12 vs. Houston Rockets, 4/13 vs. Miami Heat, 4/15 vs. Sacramento Kings, 4/17 vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Phoenix Suns are making a push to be considered the best team in the league at present. Knocking off the Utah Jazz in overtime this week was a great statement win for a young team more than ready to make a statement. Coming down against the Clippers can be forgiven, considering the emotional high of that eight-game winning streak.

As much as Devin Booker is the go-to guy for the Suns, Chris Paul is the driver of the success here. He brings a level of professionalism and determination any true contender has. He may have not made it to the NBA Finals yet but the team has formed around him in a way that will be giving him a true chance.

Paul does a little bit of everything in the box score and controls the pace of the game, making sure that anyone playing the Phoenix Suns is playing his game, not their own. That is the kind of disruption that cements the Suns as a contender. They have found a way to manipulate opponents into never quite feeling comfortable. If this can continue when the postseason starts, the Suns’ Finals drought may finally be over.

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