The first week of the 2021-22 NBA season feels like an eternity ago for the Phoenix Suns. They started the season 1-3 and were dealing with the fallout of not signing Deandre Ayton to a rookie contract extension.
Fast forward to today, the team has turned things around on the court. The Suns are currently the hottest team in the NBA, riding a nine-game winning streak. They are only one game behind the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference, who has an NBA best record of 11-2.
The team has received contributions up and down the roster, as players have stepped up throughout the season. Not locking up Deandre Ayton long-term looks like a mistake as he is the only player in the NBA averaging at least 15 points on 60 percent shooting with 10 rebounds per game.
But, he has appeared in only seven games thus far this season. In his place, JaVale McGee has been excellent. In six starts, McGee is averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, filling in admirably for Ayton. Frank Kaminsky has also been excellent in his nine appearances, averaging 10.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Players For Phoenix Suns To Target In Deandre Ayton Trade
Point guard Chris Paul has found the fountain of youth as well. He is 36-years old and in his 17th season in the NBA, but is still producing at a high level. He is averaging 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. The assists and steals are both currently leading the NBA.
Paul sets the tone on a nightly basis for the Suns and is still a tenacious defender. His backcourt mate, Devin Booker, hasn’t even gotten going on a consistent basis yet and the Suns are still running through opponents.
Booker is leading the team with 22.9 points per game but he is making only 43.1 percent of his shots overall and 84.6 percent of his free throws. If he starts catching fire consistently, the Suns will be that much tougher to defeat.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Players For Phoenix Suns To Target In Deandre Ayton Trade
Key contributors such as Jae Crowder, Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges have yet to produce at the same levels they were last season, yet the team is still winning games. The Suns look as dangerous as they did last season. If they can win games without everyone clicking, imagine what they will be accomplishing once everyone starts rolling.
