After Phoenix Suns fans saw their team surpass all expectations and reach the NBA Finals last year, their insuppressible excitement for the 2021-22 season certainly feels well warranted. The same goes for their players, who likely now feel prouder than ever to wear the orange and purple.
Once the NBA’s 75th season tips off about two months from now, Suns players will enter it with a solid chance to not only capture a Larry O’Brien trophy, but also earn some individual praise as well. Although MVPs and DPOY awards stand out amongst the rest as the most prestigious individual accolades to chase down, an All-Star bid remains something well sought-after by every NBA player as well.
But in recent years, most All-Star selections have been somewhat questionable. It almost seems more like a popularity contest, rather than one which selects players who have truely earned a spot with measurable accomplishments such as a positive winning percentage and league-leading statistics.
Fortunately, the Suns have grown in popularity with their 51-21 record from last year, and Western Conference championship to go with their Finals appearance. This reckons that more eyes will focus on Phoenix and their star players during this coming season, and help push them into All-Star slots.
The last time three Suns players made the All-Star Game was during the 2006-07 season, when Steve Nash, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion all got the nod. While looking at Phoenix’s current roster though, it carries a good chance to send three guys to the star studded bout as well.