The Phoenix Suns can play “Spoiler” for the rest of the season

The season is all but over for the Phoenix Suns but while they don’t have much to play for, they can surprise some other teams down this final stretch.

The Phoenix Suns are having another disappointing season, if that’s the word you want to use. At this point, fans can insert almost any negative word to describe the season and that would fit like a glove. The 2018-19 campaign is all but over for a disgruntled franchise as the final stretch of the season is upon us. However, the team can play “spoiler” to close out these last games.

For anyone that doesn’t understand the term, playing “spoiler” would mean the Suns obstruct or prevent an opponent’s success while having no chance of winning a contest themselves. This season isn’t going any where for Phoenix but they can upset other teams facing them that don’t offer them respect coming into the game. They can have them leave the game like a bad dog with their tail between their legs.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are in the midst of a 15 game losing streak and currently hold an 11-48 record. That’s nasty and proves their season has been over for a while. However, it lays the foundation for them to be able to play the “spoiler” role.

Teams do not expect Phoenix to win almost any game any more this season and therefore will not bring their best game when they face them. On the flip side, the men in purple and orange are nearing full health with De’Anthony Melton and T.J. Warren due to return to the court soon and may be playing angry.

To help their cause, only 8 of their last 23 games are against teams that would be in the playoffs if they started today. The other 15 games are against opponents who hold a combined .379 winning percentage. They have one of the easiest schedules down the line. 12 of those games will be at home which will also help with the momentum. They will have 5 games against fellow tankers and 3 games against the Pelicans who may be ready to sit Anthony Davis.

Keep in mind the majority of the season was played without any sighting of a point guard that was really ready to contribute. I think Melton has shown signs of a bright future in this league once he develops for what it’s worth. Now the team has a scrappy player that’s seen the trials of the league and shown he belongs in Tyler Johnson, who has now had some time to acclimate himself and be ready to show what he’s got as the seasons’ curtain closes.

Rookie Mikal Bridges has taken another step forward lately as he’s making 2.1 threes on a 39.5% clip over his last 8 games to average 12.8 points along with 2.4 steals per game.

Josh Jackson and Kelly Oubre have been on fire lately. Jackson is making 51% of his shots and scoring 20.3 points and swiping 1.8 steals per match in February. Oubre is lighting it up with 20.4 points along with 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per night over his last 18 games.

As a team the Suns are putting up some impressive numbers lately in some areas. For a team that’s struggled getting to the line and has seen their free throw attempts look like a toddler standing next to a giant for most of the season, they’ve taken the 8th most since January 1st.

Also, thus far in the New Year, they rank 4th in steals, 7th in blocks and 6th in deflections. That is impressive and shows the strength of their wings, one of the positions they get some sturdy production from.

Add to all this the fact that the two best players on the roster and the future of this franchise have a fresh, healthy start and something to prove. Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton do not like losing and despite the record will be playing their tails off the rest of the season.

Put it all together and fans may be watching their team try to make a statement down the final stretch. It would give them something to be happy about and at this point, fans will take any thing they can get. This coming off season needs to be loud and proud but for now the team may play “spoiler” and surprise the league that’s already counted them out.