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Phoenix Suns Rankings: Which Western Playoff Team To Root For?

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) reacts alongside Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker at US Airways Center. The Warriors defeated the Suns 98-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) reacts alongside Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker at US Airways Center. The Warriors defeated the Suns 98-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning shot in overtime against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns in overtime with a final score of 121-120. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Los Angeles Clippers

I know, I know. I’m fully aware that the Los Angeles Clippers are one of the most despised teams in the league. The face of the franchise, Blake Griffin, is often seen as an overrated prima donna whose high-flying dunks distract people from a lack of toughness and his abundance of Kia Optima commercials.

Chris Paul‘s State Farm commercials have become over saturated as well, as has his penchant for being called the best point guard in the NBA without ever making a conference finals. Matt Barnes is despised by most NBA fans, Glen Davis breaks things in hotel lobbies and Doc Rivers‘ lobbying for DeAndre Jordan as the next Bill Russell was borderline obnoxious.

And all of this is before we mention that Blake Griffin’s step-back three was the first buzzer-beater in a long line of game-winners that ultimately tanked the Suns’ 2014-15 season:

That being said, there just really isn’t much playoff history between these two teams. They met in the conference semifinals in 2006, and the Suns triumphed in a hard-fought seven-game series, but other than that, there isn’t much here.

It feels unnatural to cheer for a Pacific Division rival, and the general dislike for guys like Griffin, CP3 and especially Barnes is understandable. But it’s hard to watch the Clippers’ high-powered offense run itself into a frenzy without becoming enthralled. CP3 has been unstoppable over these last few months, Griffin is a flying death machine and the Clippers play a pretty fun style of basketball — when they’re not flopping, of course.

If none of this resonates with you, consider two game-changing facts: 1) The better the Pacific Division does in the postseason, the better the Suns look for missing the playoffs. The Southwest Division was the best division in the NBA this year, but if the Pacific Division can represent, that makes the Suns look a smidge better.

But more importantly: 2) The Clippers are playing the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Do you need a better reason to root for them than that?

Next: No. 2

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