With a 24-15 record and the sixth seed in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns have outperformed their expectation thus far throughout the season.
Part of the reason comes from the many players pouring in on the offensive side, aside from all-star Devin Booker, as the team has six players averaging double-digit points, including newly acquired guards Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, who has played only two games but is set to return soon.
Another factor in the Suns' early success is the difference in road wins compared to last season, when they had higher aspirations.
More: Devin Booker, Suns players make case for Jordan Ott as Coach of the Year
The Suns are already on pace to have a better road record than last year's team
One thing every good team has in common is its ability to win games on the road, and that was something last year's Suns struggled with, as they won only 12 of 41 games, which was a primary reason the team missed the playoffs and the play-in tournament.
However, this season, Phoenix has already flipped the script and has won half of its road games, 10 out of 20, and although that is tough to sustain, if the team can continue to stay somewhat on the pace of winning the road games they have it will make the Suns a difficult team to beat.
Initially, after trading all-star and future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, the Suns were in for a long rebuild. Still, with this season's success, the team is in a great position: either go all out to contend or let their young players continue to develop and grow with Booker.
More Suns news:
- Devin Booker, Suns players make case for Jordan Ott as Coach of the Year
- Suns encouraged by ex-NBA star to pursue Michael Porter Jr. Trade
- Suns predicted to make blockbuster trade for $197 million two-time All-Star to create superstar backcourt with Devin Booker
- Windhorst: Suns’ biggest trade acquisition is already on the roster
- Jordan Ott says Jalen Green will immediately join the starting lineup when fully healthy