VOL. 4: PLAYOFF PUSH
Swish Sunday
Written by Luke Rowntree
Well, folks, we're starting to wind down the fantasy playoffs for most of us and ramp-up to the actual playoffs. Beal & Westbrook are looking to be the first teammates in 40 years to lead the league in points and assists. In contrast, Jason Tatum is dropping 60-point games and posing like Wilt Chamberlin in thrilling comebacks. Games have become impossibly difficult to call because we never know who is playing night-to-night, but this season has had some thrilling moments and memorable teams. The most under the radar of which is led by a future Hall of Famer in Arizona.
Land of the Rising Suns
The Phoenix Suns haven't made the playoffs since 2010, and the long string of playoff success seemed to leave with two-time MVP Steve Nash that the following summer. Last year the Suns ended the season going 8-0 in the Playoff Bubble. Looking very strong and barely missing out on the then-new play-in tournament. With the addition of Chris Paul in the off-season, the Suns were looking to end that playoff drought. With an all-star backcourt mate in Devin Booker and the idea that CP3 could do for Ayton what he did for so many young centers in the past, the few doubted they would.
However, nobody saw the Suns being the best team in the league, but we probably should of. After all, Chris Paul is a future hall of fame player, and he is starting to become the Tom Brady of basketball (without the rings). He refuses to be on a bad team and always puts himself in the best situations to win. Last year defying all of the odds-makers and the carrying OKC to a 5th seed finish in the West. Now he is nipping at MVP votes and playing his best ball at 35 years old.
Chris Paul during the Suns' match versus the LA Clippers on April 8, 2021. Photo from Marcio Sanchez/AP
The Suns last year finished 34-39 and currently sit at 45-18 at the top of the entire association. The improvement can be attributed in part to CP3, but he does have help. Devin Booker is a top-5 scorer in the league and is having his best all-around season. While DeAndre Ayton is feasting on pick and rolls and easy hand-offs at the rim that Paul creates with his penetration.
Booker (1) celebrates winning shot with Ayton (22) and Paul (3) Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
If Phoenix stays healthy and the rest of the teams in West continue to get hurt as they have been. The Suns may be looking at the first finals appearance since Sir Charles Barkley got them there in 96'. The Suns are finally good again, and I think they plan to keep this old guard around as long as he wants.
Games of the Week
Monday, May 3rd
Denver @ LA Lakers 10:00 pm
LeBron and AD are back healthy and playing, but I don't think the Lakers really care about anything but getting to the playoffs healthy. While the Nuggets have been on fire, going 8-1 since the Murray injury, and Jokic is looking to lockdown MVP.
- Nuggets Win
Wednesday, May 5th
Memphis @ Minnesota 8:00pm
Two young teams who have been playing very well of late. Minnesota has their 'Big 3' playing well, winning four games in a row going into the weekend. While Ja Morant has his Grizzlies poised to make another play in the tournament run. Grizzlies actually have something to play for.
- Grizzlies Win
Thursday, May 7th
LA Lakers @ LA Clippers 10:00pm
Always a big deal when the battle for LA occurs at the Staples Centre. I don't see any players resting. Kawhi is looking like he should be ready to go. However, this season PG-13 is shooting a blistering 60% from the field with or without LeBron guarding him in every matchup. One team has little brother syndrome, and the other could care less.
- Clippers Win
SWISH SUNDAY RECORD
4-5Fantasy Pick Up of the Week
Kendrick Nunn (PG/SG) – Hopefully, most of you are in the fantasy semifinals like myself and if you're in need of a scoring punch, look at the Miami Heat Guard. Nunn is now starting over Goran Dragic and, with Tyler Herro out, has plenty of shots averaging 20ppg in the last week.
Sources:
- Marca
- Arizona Sports
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