Three Keys to Suns' Recent Success
The Phoenix Suns seem to just keep winning.
The Suns are currently on a six-game winning streak, their hottest stretch of basketball they have played all season. They currently sit atop the Western Conference with a record of 15-6 and are doing without star point guard Chris Paul and pivotal forward Cam Johnson.
How have the Suns been able to achieve this level of success over the course of these six games?
Three Keys to Suns' Recent Success
1. Devin Booker
Booker is currently averaging 29 points per night and is on pace to smash his career high. Despite always being a fantastic player, Booker has truly emerged this season as a sure fire All-Star and a MVP candidate.
On Monday night against the Sacramento Kings, Booker put up 44 points on an extremely efficient 60.7% FG in a 122-117 win.
Shockingly on Wednesday night, Booker topped that performance scoring a season high 51 points and shooting a whopping 80% FG in a 133-113 win against the Chicago Bulls.
These two performances prove to the rest of the NBA world that Booker does not need his 37-year-old running mate in the backcourt, Paul, and could carry a team to a top record in the Western Conference, something he has been criticized on for years.
The Suns have been without starting players such as Paul and Johnson for a large chunk of the season, but Booker has clearly been the glue keeping this team together all along.
2. The emergence of role players
While the Suns have been riddled with injuries this season, it's been up to the role players to pick up slack and they have delivered.
Cameron Payne and Torrey Craig were sprung into the starting lineup following injuries suffered by Paul and Johnson. They continue to exceed everyone's expectations in their starting role.
Payne may not be the facilitator that Paul is on the court, but he adds an offensive spark to the lineup. Through this six-game winning streak, he has scored over 10 points in four contests.
Craig's main presence has come on the defensive side of the ball. As a small forward, Craig oftentimes is forced to guard the best player on opposing teams. Craig has been on the positive side of the +/- category in five out of the past six games including being a +12 while on the court against the Bulls on Wednesday.
One of the biggest surprises of the Suns season is Damion Lee. Off the bench, Lee has been consistent shooting the basketball in averaging 8.3 points on 46% FG. At the free throw line, he is shooting 90.5% and during the course of this six game winning streak, has shot 100% FT.
3. The great coaching of Monty Williams
Since Williams took over as head coach in 2019, the Suns have taken a huge step in becoming a winning organization.
This year has been no different.
Williams continues to prove he is capable of making adjustments game in and game out being forced to throw different starting lineups together as injuries continue to pile up.
It is no coincidence that the Sun's young core seems to improve every single year. Williams has mended his relationship with center Deandre Ayton who is now currently thriving in Williams' system and could be on his way to his first all star game in February.
Williams deservingly won Western Conference Coach of the Month for November. Williams skill to put his role players in a position where they can succeed is unlike any coach in the NBA. Whatever players Williams is given, the Suns always still have a chance to win the ball game.
The Suns look to extend their winning streak tonight to seven facing off against the Houston Rockets at 7 PM MST at the Footprint Center.
