Phoenix Suns: Rare air among NBA power rankings

Similar to the week prior, the Phoenix Suns suffered a stunning setback at home but rallied nicely at the end of the week.

The NBA power rankings reflect a team that has a set, competitive identity.

The Phoenix Suns have a stranglehold among the NBA power rankings leaders after rebounding from a tough loss to win three straight road games.

You never know what you’re going to get when you watch the Charlotte Hornets and, without applying their typical playoff-worthy defense, the Suns allowed the Hornets to steal one in Phoenix.

Victories at New Orleans, Chicago and Minnesota underscored Phoenix’s resiliency and kept the Suns firmly in the national conversation.

ESPN power rankings: Phoenix Suns are #6

The week started with a blowout victory over Portland and then became strange.

Chris Paul — and not Devin Booker — was announced as an All-Star reserve. The next night, Phoenix fell to Charlotte.

But Booker was tabbed to join the All-Stars as an injury replacement and Phoenix recovered with the road streak. And Paul? Well, he has earned his position.

"With Booker and point guard Chris Paul, this marks the first time Phoenix will have multiple All-Star selections since 2010 (Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire)."

Perhaps there is another “first since 2010” on the way in 2021. Playoffs, anyone?

NBA.com power rankings: Phoenix Suns are #4

The league’s official site had a ton to say about the Suns this week.

The Suns are listed as having the No. 1 easiest schedule strength through Week 10:

Toughest: 1. Dallas, 2. Minnesota, 3. Sacramento
Easiest: 1. Phoenix, 2. Orlando, 3. New York

Chris Paul is the “right way” in Plus-Minus this week. “Paul (PHX) was a plus-77 in four games last week.”

And the Suns are NBA.com’s “Week 11 Team to Watch”

"Phoenix — There are three games between top eight teams in the Western Conference this week, and the fourth-place Suns play two of the three. They’ll visit the Lakers on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET, TNT) and host the Warriors on Thursday."

The Suns have made believers out of just about everybody of consequence in the industry, owning the NBA’s No. 2 offense for February. Six players hit 39% or better from 3 (at least 2.5 attempted from beyond the arc) in February, according to NBA.com,

CBS Sports power rankings: Phoenix Suns are #4

Steady as we go.

CBS kept the Suns at 4, with a nod to the team’s grit.

"Devin Booker dropped a season-high 43 points in Sunday’s win over Minnesota, while Chris Paul averaged 11.8 points and 12.3 assists for the week. Phoenix continues to show its defensive toughness, putting up a stingy 105 defensive rating for the week."

The addition of Paul has opened the eyes of fans in Phoenix — and the move to acquire him is drawing rave reviews.

Bleacher Report power rankings: Phoenix Suns are #3

BR continues to love the story in Phoenix.

Nothing wrong with that in the Valley of the Suns, but here’s hoping that lofty ranking doesn’t go to their heads.

"Phoenix is clicking on several cylinders right now. Over the last 15 games, the Suns have found their groove, going 12-3. During that stretch, they are averaging 116.9 points, shooting 39.6 percent from three and holding opponents to 107.4 points per game. It has them sitting just a game from the second seed in the West."

The Suns have only two games heading into the All-Star break: Tuesday at the Lakers and Thursday against the Warriors.