These Phoenix Suns are currently playing like a playoff team

The Phoenix Suns are playing very well lately and it’s been refreshing to see. Their recent game has been that of a playoff team.

Prior to the All-Star Break, the Phoenix Suns were a complete and utter disappointment. No doubt about it, they were just not very watchable. Fans were restless, upset and the league held back no criticism when throwing shade their way. As things were, no one could blame them either.

It was NOT Phoenix Suns basketball.

What is Phoenix Suns basketball?

It may be hard for new fans (are there any with how the team has been playing over the last almost decade?) but it’s competing every night. It’s going out there regardless of the opponent and showing the grit and determination to pull out a win no matter who was watching or what outcome was expected.

It’s playoff basketball and lately these Suns have been playing like a playoff team. Since the All-Star Break, they have been an entirely different team.

Were the players and coaches just tired of hearing all the laughter and dissing? Is it the “veteran” leadership of Tyler Johnson or the “swag” of Kelly Oubre? Perhaps it’s Igor Kokoskov coaching for his job after this season with his seat being hot before?

Maybe it’s a combination of all of the above or maybe it’s just as simple as the players developing individually and clicking as a team.

Whatever the reason, the result is pleasing. Post All-Star Break, Phoenix is a playoff team. If the records for all 30 teams were reset to 0-0 at the break, the Suns would currently hold the 8th seed in the West with a 6-7 record.

It’s not like they’ve had an easy schedule either. Their wins included shocking the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors, the top two teams in their respective conferences. They beat LeBron’s Lakers pushing them out of the playoff picture. They were victorious over the Heat in Miami, who are 7-3 in their last 10 games. Phoenix only lost to the Rockets by 6 points and were right there in the final moments.

The long arms of their athletic players have been frustrating for opponents and the Suns lead the league in steals per game since the break. Even though the MVP in Harden eventually came out to close the game for the Rockets, he was visibly annoyed by the peskiness of the Phoenix defenders.

Devin Booker is the 6th best scorer since the break with 28.5 points per game. Deandre Ayton is making 57% of his shots for 15.6 points and 9.5 rebounds since the break with much better defense even against the league’s best players.

The 1-2 punch is set and the supporting cast is improving. Oubre is averaging 20.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game over this 13 game stretch. The start of something special is happening.

The Suns have a not too difficult stretch to close out the season and they need to keep this momentum going. However, this has been very fun to watch for fans. This is playoff basketball and depending on the moves in the upcoming off season period, this team can be an actual playoff team next season.