Game 6 of the NBA Finals can be the end of the season for us fans, and the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns were amazing the first two games of this series.
They looked as if they were going to roll through the Milwaukee Bucks and claim their first title in franchise history.
However, Games 3-5 were won by the Bucks.
Now Game 6 is in Milwaukee and they have full momentum.
Games 4 and 5 have been close, but the Suns could not find a way to win those games.
Chris Paul is a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.
He has been spectacular throughout his long career.
The only issue is that he never made the NBA Finals until now.
Paul is still close, but he needs to catch up and bring this series to a decisive Game 7.
Great players have a legacy that can be shaped by great playoff performances, and bad ones.
His legacy is on the line for Game 6.
It can change, or it can be cemented.
He Has Not Performed
Paul has been one of the best players during the postseason this year.
He has been one of the biggest pieces to the Suns’ run to the Finals.
Games 1 and 2 were great Paul performances.
There were even talks about Paul winning Finals MVP, as if the series was already over.
However, Paul has struggled.
His turnovers have been an issue for him.
Games 2-4 saw him coughing the ball up way too much.
Chris Paul has 15 turnovers in his last 3 games. pic.twitter.com/XJeyNGQnkv
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 15, 2021
Also, when Devin Booker leaves the game, it becomes Paul’s team.
The Suns can’t seem to take over when Booker is off the court.
That is an indictment on Paul.
He needs to perform at that all-time level.
In Game 1, we saw him score 32 points.
We have not seen that same player.
This is the time for the veteran Hall of Famer to step up and help will his team to at least a Game 7.
Historical Failures
Losing a series after being up 2-0 is not common in the NBA.
Usually, the best team prevails and gets out to early leads.
Paul has been on several teams that get up early in the series and take care of business.
However, Paul has been on teams where they have given up a 2-0 series lead.
In fact, he is tied for the record with three series.
He is on the verge of having that happen to him again.
Chris Paul is on the verge of becoming the first player to lose four best-of-7 series in which his team led 2-0. The only other player with three best-of-7 series losses in which his team led 2-0 is former teammate Blake Griffin. pic.twitter.com/XyieZkCSvQ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 19, 2021
The Suns started the series up 2-0.
They have now lost three straight games, and it might be a fourth very soon.
With this loss, Paul’s legacy turns into being one of the biggest failures in NBA history.
To be the leader in choking a 2-0 series lead is not a good stat to be known for.
Paul is supposed to be one of the best point guards ever, but he can’t seem to put it all together to win important series.
The Suns need to win this next game to keep their season alive.
Not only does Paul need to keep their season alive, but he also needs to win for his legacy.
NEXT: 3 Ways Suns Must Adjust Heading Into Game 6 Against Bucks