With less than two weeks left in the NBA regular season, it was time to update our Phoenix Suns Threat Assessment.
As a reminder, these are the teams/factors that pose the biggest threat between the Suns and their first ever NBA championship later this summer.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
- Paul George is back and the Clippers might be to. George dropped 34 points and had 4 steals leading the Clippers to a massive comeback win over the Utah Jazz. Last year, the Clippers proved to be a feisty team for Phoenix to handle in the WCF and this year they could be the same. Looming in the background is the possibility of a return for Kawhii Leonard, which would propel them to near the top of this list. Right now, with just PG13, the Clippers could be a formidable opponent in round 1.
- 4. Golden State Warriors
Last night showed why the Warriors still have to be taken seriously as a threat, even in their diminished state. The Warriors bother Devin Booker. He's had three clunker games against them this season and can't seem to shake the dominance of the Warriors when Booker's Suns were the bottom of the NBA. Their length, chemistry and pedigree make them a threat even if the Suns are undeniably more talented and deeper.
- 3. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies don't know any better and that makes them dangerous. Sound familiar? It should because that was the same kind of energy that propelled the Suns to the moon last year. Now one major difference is the Grizzlies don't have a Chris Paul but they have everything else. The good news is the Suns almost certainly wouldn't play Memphis until the Western Conference Finals but the bad news is that by then they will no longer be inexperienced. Beware the Grizz.
- 2. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis is even better, thats enough to put them at #1 but there's one thing missing from last year's team: PJ Tucker. Tucker is not a glamourous player but he played balls to the wall defense for 35 minutes against your best wing. Missing Tucker makes the Bucks slightly less of a threat.
1. Brooklyn Nets
- Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the peak of their powers would not be fun.