The Phoenix Suns are currently the number one seed in the Western Conference and with a record of 41-9, it looks like they are pulling away from the rest of the pack.
Does this mean that the Suns are the odds-on favorite to win the Western Conference Finals and head to the NBA Finals?
Yes, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have some serious competition when tackling that task.
The truth is that the Suns’ path to the Finals won’t be an easy one because there are a few other teams who will do whatever they can to stop them.
And there are at least two squads who could actually put an end to Phoenix’s season.
Who has the best chance of stopping the Suns’ in their tracks?
Golden State Warriors
This one is a no-brainer: the Golden State Warriors should never, ever be counted out.
Of course, the team is the second team in the West, with a record of 39-13.
Additionally, they have been having a terrific season this year, with their star player Stephen Curry breaking records even when hitting a dry spell.
808 career regular-season games played.
The most EVER by a Golden State Warrior.
Salute, @StephenCurry30 👏 pic.twitter.com/4JyxRedBrd— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 30, 2022
Right now the Warriors are right behind the Suns but they could play catch up and even overcome the Suns in the playoffs, especially if Curry starts playing like his regular self again.
If Curry shakes off the inconsistency he’s had, Draymond Green returns, and Klay Thompson gets back to 100 percent then there is no reason to think the Warriors couldn’t outdo the Suns.
And the Warriors have a secret weapon: they are terrific in the postseason.
They have played in multiple playoffs in the last decade and, as you know, they’ve done quite well.
The Suns, on the other hand, have not.
Therefore, Phoenix should be more than a little worried about the Warriors sneaking up behind them.
Right now the Warriors aren’t performing at their peak abilities.
But if and when they do, the Suns – and anyone else in their way – could be in trouble.
Memphis Grizzlies
You would have never thought the Memphis Grizzlies could be championship contenders but there is no doubt they are red hot this year and headed deep into the postseason.
A lot of this has to do with Ja Morant, who is really performing like an MVP this year.
.@JaMorant has 13 games this szn with 20+ points in the paint.
That’s the most by any guard in the last 25 years 🥷 pic.twitter.com/w2vfwqme0k
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 30, 2022
But it’s not just him, the entire team has stepped up and they’re playing with a fast and spirited energy that isn’t seen anywhere else in the league.
In fact, many people compare this Grizzlies team to the Suns and that’s exactly why they could take them down.
There are few teams who can match the Suns in terms of size, speed, and style.
But the Grizzlies can.
You can see Memphis doing a lot of damage to the Suns in the postseason, especially since the Grizz are a lot like the Suns – only younger and less prone to injuries.
In a series of seven games, it’s very possible that Memphis can just tire the Suns out and beat them.
If that were to happen, Phoenix would be taken down by a team that they inspired.
How ironic would that be?
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