For the Phoenix Suns, winning eight straight games in the first competitive setting for them in a decade seems to have had that effect.
If one were to search “Phoenix Suns” over the season hiatus, they would have found a common theme. Outside of superb Suns content from those who know them best, the majority of the content has been to the effect of “why are the Suns in the bubble?” and “Trade Devin Booker to the Knicks…or Timberwolves…or Siberia” (folks stay trying to trade Booker). It was terrible. It is nowhere near an understatement to say that the Phoenix Suns weren’t taken seriously. We have the receipts.
Yet, against all odds, the Phoenix Suns endured, preserved, and most importantly, won. And won again. And again. And again.
Against the Wizards, Phoenix was expected to win. After all the Wizards were a hapless bunch that alongside the Suns “shouldn’t have been there”. We all know how that played out. The Phoenix Suns not only took care of business against them, but also the Mavericks, Clippers, Pacers, Heat (you see this is becoming a theme) Thunder, 76ers, and finally the Mavs again just for good measure to be the only team in the NBA to go 8-0.
NO ONE saw Phoenix going 8-0. If they say that they did, make them pull out receipts. Seriously, the Suns came with the mental toughness and resolve that is needed for a team to achieve the impossible. Everyone from Monty Williams to Devin Booker; from Cam Payne and Jevon Carter to Dario Saric (dominant in a bench role baby!) and even Frank Kaminsky. The effort, the fight, the drive, these should be the attributes that the Phoenix Suns take from this Orlando experience, whether their season ends this week or they play in the playoffs next week.
Monty Williams said it best to his team after the game. This team succeeded expectations, shocked the world, and won the respect of their peers. The Suns have plenty to take away from this experience that can help them when they face similar adversity in the future, be that next week or next season. Time will tell what the Phoenix Suns fate will be, but we don’t need time to share that we love this team.