The Suns, who last made the NBA postseason 11 years ago, remain very much in the hunt for the top seed in the Western Conference, as their 41-16 mark puts them just a game-and-a-half behind the 43-15 Jazz. While the ongoing development of several young Phoenix players has been a major factor in the team’s improvement, the offseason arrival of Chris Paul was arguably the key turning point in making the Suns a legitimate contender.
“I don’t have enough time to talk about everything he’s done,” Suns head coach Monty Williams said of Paul, per Royce Young of ESPN. “He’s brought such a — he’s improved the winning mentality. All of our guys want to win. But when you see a guy that has done it from afar and then you look at how he does it, from his diet to the exercise routine he has every day, and then in game when he’s able to be in those situations and really lift the level of our team, it’s pretty cool to watch.”
In addition to impressing Williams, who said he has “story after story” about the impact Paul has had in Phoenix, the veteran point guard has made a lasting impression on his young teammates, including fellow All-Star guard Devin Booker.
“I’m inspired every day. I tell Chris that every day. It’s not something I’m going to take for granted,” Booker said of his Suns’ backcourt mate. “I pick his brain. I listen to him — closely. I watch how he moves, and even when he’s not talking or leading us, I just watch how he goes about his business. There’s so much respect for him and not just from me, but leaguewide and worldwide.”
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Warriors forward Kelly Oubre made some comments in March suggesting he wasn’t enthusiastic about the idea of coming off the bench, but he accepted a reserve role in stride upon his return to action on Monday, head coach Steve Kerr told reporters (video link via Anthony Slater of The Athletic). Oubre’s role as a sixth man gives the second unit a boost this season and could be a preview of next season’s rotation if the 25-year-old re-signs with Golden State, writes Kendra Andrews of NBC Sports Bay Area.
- The Kings have been in a brutal slump this month, but their deadline additions continue to look good, as Delon Wright and Terence Davis played key role in a Sunday win that snapped a nine-game losing streak, writes Jason Jones of The Athletic.
- Kings big man Chimezie Metu, who missed nearly a month-and-a-half earlier this season due to broken wrist he suffered when he was thrown to the court by Jonas Valanciunas, said he’s not holding a grudge toward the Grizzlies center, as Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee relays. “It is frustrating looking back on it at times because who knows what could have happened in those six weeks for myself and what that could have meant for my career or for the team, for the team’s success,” Metu said. “… It’s tough looking back at it. It was tough in the moment, but I hold no hate in my heart for Valanciunas.”
Kelly Oubre needs to be a starter and needs a lot of playing time
The same as Lauri with the Bulls or Oladipo with the Heat
You are trying to get John Wall contract. You don’t try to get Harrell contract
Oubre is entitled. The Warriors need more bench scoring to advance in the playoffs. Bazemore can’t carry the unit.
GSW found out when Oubre was injured he does flow as well in the starting team. Oubre is a good player but nothing close to all star player more of a 6th man off the bench.
Oubre has a very high opinion of himself. He’d be better positioned to have a long career in the NBA if he accepts being one of the best as a 6th man off the bench.
Much like Eric Gordon, who’s just as good as Oubre.
Huh? What? How is he entitled? Name one player that doesn’t want to start. You can’t. What team doesn’t want players who want to start?
Lou Williams
None of the guys you mentioned deserve a max contract. Not even based on their potential. Oladipo had like a year and a half of max contract production and that was years ago with injuries sapping him of his athleticism
I think what he means is those guys he mentioned need more playing time. The silly man is hard to understand, I know.
It’s pointless to discuss Oubre’s staying or going or his role next season. That discussion can’t really start until the Warriors figure out what they are doing on the trade front. If they’re able to acquire an upgrade, it will almost certainly mean trading Wiggins, which could open up SF for Oubre. (Wiggins for Porzingis seems like the only plausible move right now that would produce a starting role for Wiggins, but things change fast.)
I didn’t think at this stage of his career CP3 would be that much of a difference maker #1 seed. The Knicks should of tried harder to get him.
Why would the Mavs possibly trade Porzingas for Wiggins? (Why would they even trade him at all, especially to the Warriors?)
Maybe because Porzingis is hurt all the time? Just a thought.
Dallas would do that in a heartbeat.
**Added bonus Wiggins has 1 less yr attached
Actually a viable option Noah, not sure if GSW would want to sink that many chips into KP but if they wanted too I think they could get it done rather rather easily
“…but I hold no hate in my heart for Valanciunas.”
“Of course, if a knee to the groin accidentally slips in at some time, it’s just an honest mistake…”
Why would Dallas want to trade their starting Center? The Warriors already have starting Center, Wiseman. You would just be creating a mess.
Kristaps usually plays PF, not center. A lot like AD does.
Either way, he would be coming off the bench. $30M for a guy coming off the bench is dumb.
Suns r on a run, cruising for number 1, seems like the whole team having fun. They wont be done til end of jun hit the playoffs on a roll like a hamburger bun
NBA is the land of “The Rising Suns” …..
Phoenix has a lot of versatile options at the 3/4, and have several different lineups they can go to, with multiple guards that can play. I like their matchup against a lot of teams, and could see them making a legit run, assuming health. I think there are a couple of other teams there with them, so matchups are going to be a big deal, as they always are
Suns are young so we could be literally seeing the rising Suns. CP3 not only a good piece. But he is showing them how to win and play together. Young teams get better man. You never know how high they can go. Ask yourself would you really believe Suns would be top 4 team in NBA at beginning of yr. Nice to see new talent.
Well, I thought they could be potentially a 3/4 seed, but anywhere from that range to 7th, depending on health, and what their rotations might ultimately be (b/c there was some volatility there with how Monty Williams might use their versatility), and where a couple of other teams were. I really liked Dallas before I realized they weren’t going to use any of their offseason additions, and before Portland had certain injuries, I liked them there as well in that 4-6 range, and I wasnt sure about Denver being out of that 4-6 range, even though I didnt like them as much as I did before last season, when I picked them as the 1 seed. Had Utah at 2 last year, and getting Favors back was a big deal, so I had them ahead of them as well.
Still, I’m a massive Chris Paul fan, and have long thought of him as an elite player, even coming into this year, as has been seen on here for a long time, so that probably plays into where I thought their range could be. Most everyone had them as at least a playoff team, and I think it was fair to think they had at least a shot at a top 4 seed
Oubre is just another Michael Beasley, am I wrong?
Extended range, less heart…but Yea