The 2021-22 Phoenix Suns vs the 2020-21 Phoenix Suns
Everyone naturally wants to know if this coming year’s Suns will outshine last year’s, but these teams naturally stack up incredibly close to each other being separated by just one offseason. Phoenix returned its entire starting five from last year, with Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter resembling the only notable departures from the rotation.
Again, Phoenix’s offseason additions outscored their subtractions by 18.0 points per game last year, which works as an undeniable argument in favor of this coming year’s team. But another component even more so presents the 2021-22 Suns as the better squad than its predecessors.
The most common characteristic across last year’s Phoenix team was youth. With exception to Chris Paul and Jae Crowder, literally every other player within the rotation is expected to improve over the next coming years.
So with that phenomenon considered, elevation should take place for several players during this coming season, naturally elevating the team as well.
The 2020-21 Suns poise to go down as an unforgettable team, and this year’s group might not make make the Finals like they did, but with this age factor acknowledged, it makes zero sense for Phoenix to digress.
So with the 2021-22 Suns shaping up to exceed last year’s crew, that puts them as Paul’s third best team of all time. But who knows? An MVP season from Devin Booker, 65+ plus win campaign, or another run to the Finals might push this group to the top.
Despite being the “Point God,” Paul cannot look into the future and see for sure what this year’s team accomplishes. Just like the rest of us, he needs to wait and see.