Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Time For The Suns To Play Spoiler

By RoseAnn Sapia

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 26: Coach Jay Triano of the Phoenix Suns discusses a game plan with his team during the game against the New York Knicks on January 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 26: Coach Jay Triano of the Phoenix Suns discusses a game plan with his team during the game against the New York Knicks on January 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With 22 games left in this grind of a season, the Suns have an opportunity to do something impactful: play spoiler.

It is my favorite part about watching a team that isn’t exactly fighting for a playoff spot at this point in the season. Even though the Suns may not be in the mix for the final spots in the playoffs, they get to play a number of the teams that are.

A team that’s 18-42 is trying to battle it out for the better chance of drawing that number one pick. We’re at that point in the season when everyone wants to talk about “tanking”. Tanking won’t help a team grow, but playing spoiler will.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

The Suns have the fourth toughest remaining schedule in the NBA, which has many people excited about that potential number one pick. But, having a tough schedule means more than just the possibility to “tank.” It means the Suns have the opportunity to make their mark.

Take a look at the Western Conference standings. There are eight teams that will be fighting it out for six playoff spots, with only 4.5 games separating the three seed from the ten seed. And oh yeah, the Warriors and Rockets are currently tied for the one seed. There’s still a lot to be figured out before the season ends, and believe it or not, the Suns can have a lot to do with the results.

Stating that Phoenix will have the fourth toughest remaining schedule too is just a different way of saying that the Suns will be playing teams that can’t exactly afford to lose to a team that they’re expected to easily beat.

The Clippers, Blazers, Pelicans, Thunder, Heat, Jazz, and Pistons, are all teams that need to win the “easy” ones in order to remain relevant in this playoff race.

The Cavs, Warriors, and Rockets are teams that are fighting for a high seed. One loss could change everything.

Which is where the Suns come in. They play all of these teams; some of them more than once.

What better way is there to build morale, improve team chemistry, and develop the young core than by beating these teams.

Even though the Suns are out of the playoff race, they’re still playing for something. They’re playing for pride. They’re playing for growth. They’re playing to leave their mark on the season.

What an accomplishment it would be if one loss to the Suns would decide another team’s fate.

Just think of how amazing this Suns team would feel if they beat the Warriors in even one out of their three remaining match-ups. That one Warriors loss could be the difference between the one seed and the two seed. And if the Suns do that, “dethrone” the Warriors from the the top of the West, I’d have to think they’d feel pretty confident heading into next season.

The Suns beating any of the teams I’ve listed could have huge implications for the future of this franchise. It would show growth. It would show that they’re on the right track. It would show that the future is bright.

As a fan, there’s no better feeling than watching the team I support win the games they’re expected to lose, especially towards the end of the season when everyone is concerned with tanking. I don’t think there is anything that could rally a team and fanbase together more than spoiling the chances of other teams.

Just because the Suns don’t have a realistic shot at the playoffs this season doesn’t mean that their presence won’t be felt throughout them. At this point every win matters for the Suns. Every win shows on paper that there is progress from last season. But for these other teams, every loss makes a difference. So why not pair them together?

The Suns had their first shot at playing spoiler last night against the Clippers. Obviously things did not go as planned. But the Suns did put up a fight. They forced the Clippers to play hard all the way until the end of the game despite being down almost 30 at the half.

This was a Clippers team that sat one game out of the eight seed coming into this game and definitely wanted to win this one. This is the case for a lot of the Suns’ remaining opponents. Many of these teams are fighting for a playoff spot and can’t afford to lose to a “lottery” team.

Next: Midseason grades and second half expectations

But if the Suns see things differently and play with fire and passion and don’t give up hope, they could prevent these teams that so treasure every single win from winning.

This could be the case for a majority of the remaining games this season. So instead of being okay with losses, maybe we should be cheering for these guys to play spoiler.

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