Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns fall in latest Western Conference Power Rankings

By Peter O'Keefe

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Head coach Monty Williams greets Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Footprint Center on February 12, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Magic 132-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Head coach Monty Williams greets Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Footprint Center on February 12, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Magic 132-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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The NBA has released its latest Western Conference power rankings, with the Phoenix Suns remaining an elite team despite a slight, expected drop.

The league’s official power rankings haven’t been updated since April 4, where the Suns joined the Milwaukee Bucks as the top rated team in each conference. Phoenix have held a prominent hold on top spot in the West since the corresponding article at this point last offseason.

The Phoenix Suns have been ranked second in the NBA’s Western Conference power rankings, sitting just below the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

The Suns and Bucks may have topped the previous rankings, but neither team took advantage of their favoritism heading into the playoffs. Phoenix crumbled at home in game seven of their second-round series against the Dallas Mavericks, while Milwaukee lost their own game seven in Boston on the exact same day (16th May).

Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

As a consequence, the Conference champions (Warriors and Celtics) have leapfrogged into the top spot on the respective rankings. However, author John Schuhmann hasn’t overreacted too much to the Suns disastrous playoff exit.

"“Chris Paul is 37 and entering Year 18. Only 4% of the Suns’ ’21-22 minutes, the league’s lowest rate, came from rookies or second-year players last season…Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, and Cam Johnson will be 24, 25, 26 and 26 on opening night”.“Assuming that everyone is pulling in the same direction, this team can be just as good (or maybe better) as the 2021-22 Suns, who were (in regard to wins and losses) the best team in the league by a wide margin”."

Although Dallas may have made an inspiring run to the Conference Finals, their rather underwhelming offseason to date, including the loss of consensus second-best player Jalen Brunson, has seen them slip down the rankings to sixth.

Another Pacific team, the Los Angeles Clippers, are ranked third as they prepare for the return of two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Another team with returning stars, the Denver Nuggets, are ranked fourth, while the Memphis Grizzlies are ranked fifth despite finishing with the second-best record in the conference last season.

Next. History suggests Devin Booker must become Phoenix Suns’ unequivocal leader. dark

The Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans round out the teams expected to make the playoffs, with the Suns in for a mighty challenge to retain their high ranking in a competitive conference.

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