Insiders Believe Phoenix Suns are Pretenders in Postseason Predictions
With the NBA season set to begin in nearly two months, the Phoenix Suns have consistently found themselves at the top of power rankings and grades for not only the league's western conference, but also the entire NBA as well.
Just one day after releasing their regular season predictions (that had Phoenix again pacing the west in wins with 56), ESPN continued with their postseason predictions.
"We asked our panel to rank its top three choices for the East, West and NBA champions -- with a first-place vote receiving five points, a second-place vote receiving three and a third-place vote receiving one," explained the various insiders.
When it came to the western conference, the Suns fell behind the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers in votes accrued.
"The Clippers have reentered the chat," said ESPN in their western conference breakdown.
"While the Warriors take top billing here -- more on them below -- LA is a trendy Finals pick because of the return of Kawhi Leonard, who missed the entire 2021-22 season after suffering a partial right ACL tear during the 2021 playoffs.
"Leonard and fellow superstar Paul George lead one of the league's deepest teams, but the Clips aren't the only squad getting healthier in a loaded West. Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets -- who check in fifth in our panel's projections -- will welcome back Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
"The Suns return their core and are coming off an NBA-best 64 wins in 2021-22. The Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic and the Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant are lurking. The Timberwolves made the biggest splash of the summer, trading for three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to pair with All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
"What about the Lakers? After leading this list last summer, LeBron James and L.A. didn't receive a single vote to join the West champ favorites."
Total Points in Western Conference Title Voting
1. Golden State Warriors: 75 points (52.6% of first-place votes)
2. LA Clippers: 44 points (31.6%)
3. Phoenix Suns: 20 points
4. Dallas Mavericks: 12 points (5.3%)
5. Denver Nuggets: 10 points (5.3%)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves: 6 points (5.3%)
7. Memphis Grizzlies: 4 points
It appears ESPN's insiders still believe the Suns will be a threat to win the conference, but it was interesting that teams such as the Mavericks, Nuggets and Timberwolves received first-place votes ahead of Phoenix.
In voting for the NBA title, the Suns' point total (8) put them behind the Warriors/Clippers along with the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.
Total Points in NBA Finals Champ Voting
1. Golden State Warriors: 52 points (36.8% of first-place votes)
2. LA Clippers: 35 points (26.3%)
3. Boston Celtics: 30 points (10.5%)
4. Milwaukee Bucks: 21 points (10.5%)
5. Miami Heat: 11 points (5.3%)
6. Phoenix Suns: 8 points
T-7. Denver Nuggets: 5 points (5.3%)
T-7. Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 points (5.3%)
9. Philadelphia 76ers: 3 points
10. Dallas Mavericks: 1 point
It's quite clear many (well, all) of ESPN's NBA insiders don't believe the Suns are capable of capturing their first NBA Finals victory.
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