Despite having an awful regular season by the lofty standards set out for them thanks to having both Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on their roster, the Phoenix Suns look likely to sneak their way into the play-in tournament. A combination of getting just hot enough at the right time and injury woes to teams around them giving them a chance to compete for a playoff spot.
Although the recent exploits of the group - coupled with head coach Mike Budenholzer figuring some lineup issues out - have been enough to keep some fans happy, the reality is this season is likely going to end badly. The Suns should rightly fancy themselves in a series against several teams in the Western Conference should they get there, the untested Houston Rockets one such example.
They would have absolutely no shoy against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That might sound like it is stating the obvious - but with some media members beginning to believe in the combo of Booker, Durant and some 3-and-D role players - it really does need to be highlighted. The most likely scenario at this point would see Phoenix play the Thunder in the first round - if they can even make it that far - but even if not they'd have to play them eventually.
If you've watched the Suns throughout that four-game win streak that included victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks, then you would have seen a team that was able to get Durant and Booker shots wherever they wanted on the court. Not only that, but Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro playing more minutes led to a much improved defensive effort as well.
In fact prior to the 30 point hammering at the hands of the Boston Celtics, it was above league average throughout that small winning streak. That's not nothing, but we're here to tell you the Thunder would be a complete nightmare to face on both ends of the court. Starting with the hardest part, and that would be the Suns' inability to break them down.
The Thunder give up 106.1 points per game - which as you can probably imagine - is the best mark in the entire league this season. They've got everybody from Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort and Alex Caruso to throw at every offensive-minded player the Suns have, while on the other end the exploits of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are likely about to win him his first MVP award.
In some ways it is similar to last season when the Minnesota Timberwolves - who themselves had had the best defensive rating in the league at 108-4 - ambushed Phoenix in the first round and mercilessly swept them. The revolved around an ascending star in Anthony Edwards, although at this point in time Gilgeous-Alexander is further along in his career and just better.
The Thunder then are the worst possible matchup for the Suns, because they can shut down second and third option scorers incredibly effectively. They would probably live with Durant getting 40 in a couple of games, because the likes of Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen would have a horrible time trying to get good looks.
As for the undersized Tyus Jones? No chance you can use him, while Mason Plumlee and Bol Bol would both get exposed for very different reasons. The Suns just don't have the depth, the defensive identity or the offensive cohesion to hang with the Thunder in a series. We'd go so far as to say it could be another sweep. Durant could have his next destination picked quickly should that happen.