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3 things the Phoenix Suns need to do to beat the Denver Nuggets next year

By Luke Duffy

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks for a call while being guarded by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter during Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Ball Arena on May 09, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks for a call while being guarded by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter during Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Ball Arena on May 09, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 18: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 18: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Have the better duo when it matters

3 things the Phoenix Suns need to do to beat the Denver Nuggets next year.

Right now the Nuggets can correctly claim that Jokic and Murray are the best duo in the league. They’ve got the Larry O’Brien trophy to prove it. They are also the best suited tandem in the NBA, with their skill sets meshing seamlessly together on the offensive end. Jokic loves to see Murray go off and helps him to do so, while Murray accepts that everything revolves around the Serbian.

Durant is 34-years-old, but across four playoff series, he and Booker are more than capable of being the best teammates in the league. This does not include the regular season, which in truth the Suns will have to balance as best they can with an older superstar in Durant and what may be a thin supporting cast.

Trying to be better than Jokic and Murray, two players only entering their primes, is incredibly difficult. Luckily for the Suns, Booker showed in this postseason that he is capable of going to another level when required. He had his most accomplished offensive playoffs to date, and averaged 37.2 points and a ridiculous 46.7 percent from deep against the L.A. Clippers.

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Booker came down to earth some after that round one win, and against the Nuggets he could only manage a still fantastic 30.8 points but somehow hit 54.8 percent of his shots from 3-point range. He took over five attempts per night in those six contests. That is a great place to start if you want to talk about getting the better of Jokic and Murray.

If you add Durant to the mix, somebody who has won championships and is with the Suns to maximize his chances of winning again, then it gets even better. In truth we haven’t seen what Booker and Durant are really capable of together, and this postseason they still gave as good an account of themselves as any against the Nuggets. They are capable of being the best duo.

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