Nobody saw the Phoenix Suns making it this far.
The Suns are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993.
It has been 28 years since this fanbase experienced this feeling.
The Suns are back to prominence after not making the playoffs since 2010.
This run has been extremely special and one that can easily end in a NBA title.
Devin Booker and Chris Paul were the two All-Stars of this team and have proved it throughout the postseason.
Deandre Ayton has emerged as a star with his play in the playoffs.
However, their role players have stepped up tremendously as well.
Everyone has done their job to perfection and that is why they are four more wins away from calling themselves NBA champions.
Here are three role players that have helped the Suns in their run to the Finals.
3. Mikal Bridges
Mikal Bridges has not had a great postseason when you look at his numbers.
He is not a really great scorer.
That is fine though.
His job is to simply play great defense, which he has done.
Mikal Bridges chasedown block 🖐 pic.twitter.com/AEmacSzzM9
— ESPN (@espn) June 27, 2021
Bridges is usually tasked to guard the best wing player on the team.
He had to guard Paul George, Donovan Mitchell, and LeBron James throughout the playoffs.
Bridges can even knockdown the occasional three as well.
The ability to be an effective 3-and-D player for a team can help elevate a team to being a contender.
2. Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder is heading to his second straight NBA Finals.
Jae Crowder is headed to the Finals for the second-straight season 🏆 pic.twitter.com/CnEdkmB4Kz
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 1, 2021
He is such a key role player everywhere he goes.
Crowder is a tough and rugged player that is able to guard bigger players.
This postseason did not start out good for the veteran.
He shot 2-20 from three in the first three games of the Suns first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, after those first three games, Crowder took off.
The close-out game against those Lakers saw him shoot 6-9 from three.
Then the close-out game to go to the NBA Finals arrived and so did Crowder.
He shot 5-9 from three to go along with five rebounds.
Crowder has been shooting the lights out as of late and is important piece for the Suns and their title hopes.
1. Cameron Payne
The story of Cameron Payne has been a beautiful one.
This man was out of the league before the bubble last season and has now become one of the most important players on an NBA Finals team.
Payne has been great all postseason being the backup guard to Paul.
Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Finals were the defining games for the career of Payne.
Paul was out for those first two games due to COVID protocols.
The Suns needed Payne to step up and produce more than usual.
He did just that.
Game 1 was a really good performance by him, but Game 2 was something else.
29 points, nine assists, and zero turnovers in a playoff game is unheard of.
Only 4 players to drop 29 Points, 9 Assists, 0 Turnovers in a Conference Finals game:
– LeBron James
– Magic Johnson
– Larry Bird
– CAM PAYNE(via @ESPNStatsInfo/@SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/Pr4HkwKzk5
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 24, 2021
The game he had was an all-time great performance.
Payne showed up on the big stage and proved he belongs.
This is a storyline that nobody could envision, but it is happening right in front of our eyes.
Who knows where the Suns would be without Payne during the playoff run.
NEXT: 2 Ways Suns Are Replacing Chris Paul's Production