5 Advantages Phoenix Suns have over every other West team
By Tyler Watts
The Phoenix Suns are fighting to avoid the Play-In Tournament down the stretch but look like a title contender when healthy. They traded for Bradley Beal to give them an elite Big 3 and added some needed depth before the trade deadline. Phoenix must put it all together, but no team wants to face them in the playoffs.
Health is their biggest question. Kevin Durant hopes to play 60 games this season for the first time since before tearing his Achilles in 2019. Devin Booker only appeared in 53 contests last season, and Bradley Beal hasn’t topped 60 since 2019. The newest member of the Suns Big 3 will be lucky to top 50 this season as he is currently dealing with a hamstring injury.
The Suns need to be healthy, but they are a scary opponent. They are the best team in the Western Conference in these areas and must use their strengths if they want to make a deep playoff run.
5. Versatility & small ball
Phoenix must lean into its versatility if they plan on winning the West. Many clamored for them to add a true point guard after trading for Bradley Beal, but their ability to change things up is welcomed. Devin Booker will be their top playmaker, but Kevin Durant, Beal, Jusuf Nurkic, Royce O’Neale, or Grayson Allen can initiate the set. Phoenix has several ways to attack and is scary if they can bend the defense.
The Suns also have multiple ways to play. They can go big with Nurkic at the five to matchup against Nikola Jokic or play small and try to run the opposition off the floor. Kevin Durant at the five could become one of the most feared lineups this postseason and could result in a ton of easy buckets for Phoenix.
It is not just their versatility and ability to go small. The Phoenix Suns have several advantages they can try to exploit to win the West.