The Phoenix Suns might not be taking part in the NBA Playoffs this season, but that doesn't mean they don't have an interest in the games. This includes the Eastern Conference, with fans looking on enviously as Mikal Bridges turns in the kind of performances for the New York Knicks that they wish were instead taking place in The Valley.
Through two games - both victories over the defending champion Boston Celtics - Bridges has been the defensive hero who has displayed everything the Suns lacked this season. The 28-year-old isn't coming back, but that doesn't mean that there won't be a happy ending in Phoenix with the way these playoffs are unfolding.
The price for Kevin Durant continues to trend upwards.
Prior to the postseason getting underway, it seemed like the Houston Rockets were the most likely destination for the 36-year-old. Their first round exit at the hands of the Golden State Warriors only backed this up, but that was until the Rockets themselves seemed to distance themselves from a move for one the future Hall of Fame player.
Things got complicated with the Milwaukee Bucks getting sent packing - and comprehensively - by the Indiana Pacers, with the prospect of Giannis Antetokounmpo asking out of his current situation putting the league on high alert. Yet if anything that too has pushed the price for Durant upwards, because he might just have become the best consolation prize on offer this offseason.
Returning to these playoffs though, and the Oklahoma City Thunder - much like the Rockets before them - have been painfully exposed as failing to have a closer of games. The Denver Nuggets have doubled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and now find themselves 2-1 up in their second round series. Ironically it is the same for the Warriors without Stephen Curry, who is out with a hamstring issue.
The Warriors were rumored to be interested in Durant at the deadline, but were proven correct in adding Jimmy Butler instead. As great as his will to win is, unlike both Curry and Durant he can't bend an entire defensive scheme to his will. You could also make the same case for the Minnesota Timberwolves - as when Anthony Edwards doesn't have it - they struggle to score.
The Suns were not a great offensive team during the regular season, and finished 13th in the league while mustering 114.7 points per game. Yet so far in these playoffs, only four teams have managed a better offensive output, and one of those in the L.A. Clippers is already gone home. Durant doesn't deserve all the credit for that, but it's further proof he can get you a bucket when needed.
In fact when he was on the court this season the Suns managed 116.5 points each night, which would have put the Suns top four in the playoffs. It is obviously not as simple as saying had the Suns made the playoffs that scoring wouldn't have been an issue - and defensively they were dreadful with and without Durant on the court - but it does show how awesome he remains.
With an increasing number of contenders looking like they need a closer and Giannis only going to be able to solve the problems of one franchise - if he even moves at all - these playoffs are going the way the Suns needed them to. Creating desperation for a bucket getting - and in doing so - increasing the market for one of the all-time greats.