1. Top-end talent
Kevin Durant is one of the best players in NBA history. The 14-time All-Star won MVP in 2014 and battled LeBron James for the top spot for years. Durant can still be the best player in almost any series. Nikola Jokic holds the crown as the top player in the world after leading the Nuggets to the championship in 2023, but it would not be crazy to see KD outplay him over a seven-game set.
Fans can make the case for Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Kawhi Leonard all being better current players than Durant, but none of those teams have a number two (or 1A) like Devin Booker. The Suns may have two of the top ten players in the NBA.
All of that makes no mention of Bradley Beal, who is likely in the top 50 when healthy and fully locked in. The Clippers are the only team who can compete with three that high. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have missed a ton of games because of injuries in recent years. Whoever is healthier takes the top spot in terms of top-end talent.
No team wants to face the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs. Stopping Durant, Booker, and Beal is a nightmare for any coaching staff. The Suns will only get better, so stay tuned to see if they can exploit their advantages to win it all.