The conference finals may see Phoenix struggling without the steady guidance of Chris Paul, whose participation is currently uncertain. This could potentially threaten Phoenix’s impressive streak.
Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams admits to indulging in “a pretty cool moment for the team” at Sky Harbor Airport on Sunday when it arrived home from sweeping the Denver Nuggets 4-0 in the Western Conference semifinals.
“He said that the next day quickly returned to ‘business as usual,'”
Williams added, “By maintaining our culture and diligently completing our work daily, we can ensure stability. This continuity is something we can rely on, providing a consistent level of stability day by day.”
That’s precisely what Phoenix needs, but already has on the heels of point guard Chris Paul entering COVID-19 protocol on Wednesday, leaving his status uncertain for Game 1 of a conference finals series in which the Suns don’t even yet know their opponent or a start date. Williams understands the Suns could be forced to tip off the West finals without Paul on the floor, but he and the team aren’t fretting.
This is because the “stability” Williams mentioned earlier is already incorporated into the team and is constantly nurtured in a quickly built culture of accountability.
For the first time since 2010, the Suns have advanced to the West finals. These details and elements have contributed to Phoenix’s success.
Williams stated, “I believe men are always prepared to play, particularly in these crucial moments. It’s clear that filling in for Chris Paul is not a simple task. However, this is why having a robust player development program is crucial. This year, we’ve had players like [Cameron] Payne and E’Twaun [Moore] rise to the occasion in significant moments at their positions. [Devin Booker] has even occasionally assumed the role of point guard for us. Therefore, our team is prepared for the challenge.”
Everyone is facing this issue. If you survey the league, you’ll find that Philly, the Clippers, and Utah are all experiencing similar situations. So, we don’t believe we’re the only team dealing with health-related challenges in an attempt to stay fit. This is something you prepare for as a team and staff. We’re confident that our players are equipped to handle any situation that arises.
Paul, who is reportedly vaccinated, is scheduled for evaluation by Phoenix on Saturday, followed by an update on his status. The commencement of the conference finals is no earlier than Sunday and depends on when the Western Conference semifinals between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz concludes.
Therefore, it would be challenging to move Paul through the COVID-19 protocols in time for potential participation in Sunday’s game, considering the vast differences in time missed this season by players who tested positive for the virus.
In March, the NBA eased some of the prior protocols for league personnel who had received the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, existing protocols for players showing symptoms of the coronavirus, including a possible 10-day quarantine, remain in place regardless of the player’s vaccination status.
Quentin Richardson and Dennis Scott share their thoughts on Chris Paul’s indefinite absence due to health and safety protocols.
For Paul to return quickly, he needs to test negative twice in a row, with at least 24 hours between tests, and then pass a cardiac screening to be approved for physical activity.
Williams conveyed that he has considered all potential scenarios, but he opts not to overwhelm the team with all the information.
Williams stated, “I strive not to overanalyze, and I aim to reduce the information overload for the players because currently, all we can do is practice and patiently await the outcome. There’s an inherent inclination to get overwhelmed. I make a conscious effort to avoid that, particularly with our team.”
Part of the reason is that the Suns were constructed to manage this situation. They have alternatives. They have depth. Above all, they are eager.
Should the Suns be compelled to play without Paul, they have the option to either promote Payne to starting point guard or simply shift two-time All-Star Booker over.
Payne, who joined the Suns following his most recent terms in China and the G League, is currently averaging 10.2 points over 10 playoff games in a reclamation project. He has a field goal percentage of 41.8% and a 3-point range shooting percentage of 38.9%, with an average of 2.9 assists per game.
During Phoenix’s opening-round series against the Lakers, Paul was dealing with a shoulder injury. In his absence, Payne stepped up, averaging almost 16 points and 4.5 assists from the second to the fifth games. He managed to achieve a 49% field goal rate and a 45% three-point shooting rate. However, Payne’s playing time was reduced in the conference semifinals as Paul recovered and regained his full strength.
Nonetheless, Payne had demonstrated his capabilities on a substantial platform against a formidable opponent.
Inside the NBA: Devin Booker is feeling ‘really good’ following sweep
Booker offers an alternative at the point guard position thanks to his adaptability. Indeed, Booker excels in his role off the ball, but his capability to generate offense and make smart choices out of the pick-and-roll is evident to all. He was a dominant force in the conference semifinals, averaging 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and throughout the season he has spent considerable time playing as a point guard.
When queried about the significance of playing important basketball games during this period, Booker replied, “This is the moment I’ve been training and preparing for. I don’t spend my summer training with the idea that my season ends after 82 games. I condition myself mentally to believe that every shot is vital. Each training session, each workout, my mind is focused on either the postseason or these exact kind of games.”
Also, considering the injury conditions of Phoenix’s possible conference finals competitors is worthwhile. The Suns could arguably be more robust than the Clippers, who are without Kawhi Leonard due to a knee injury that makes his future participation uncertain. The same can be said for Utah, who are playing without point guard Mike Conley due to a hamstring injury, while Donovan Mitchell is struggling with ankle pain that hampers his mobility and explosiveness.
Imagine Mitchell hobbling on his ankle, Conley recently recovered from a hamstring injury, or Joe Ingles attempting to guard Booker in the conference finals. Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges, the Suns’ defensive stalwart, would be tasked with neutralizing Utah’s most potent offensive weapon, Mitchell.
Think about a comparable situation involving the Clippers. If Leonard is benched, LA would have to decide among several alternatives for defending against Booker. Using their top perimeter defender, Paul George, to guard Booker could potentially drain the energy he needs for offense.
Meanwhile, Phoenix would have the advantage of being able to assign Bridges to either George or Mitchell.
Keep in mind, Bridges effectively defended LeBron James in the initial round and minimized the impact of Michael Porter Jr. in the semifinals.
Ernie, Kenny, Chuck, and Shaq engage in a discussion about Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns’ sweep victory over the Denver Nuggets.
The Suns concluded the regular season with a defensive rating of 110.4, placing them sixth, and they currently hold second place with a rating of 104.7 in the postseason.
Booker believes that their improvement is primarily due to their communication and versatility. He also credits Deandre Ayton’s ability to guard the paint and their competitive wings who can interchangeably guard various types of players. He adds that their strength lies in their collective trust, teamwork, open communication, and accountability. He acknowledges their scoring ability, stating that they can compete with the best and exploit teams for different coverages. However, he emphasizes that their main focus must be on their defense.
That defense creates offense to the tune of 20.4 points per game in transition throughout the postseason, led by Ayton — who played well in difficult matchups over the first two rounds against Anthony Davis and 2020-21 Kia NBA MVP Nikola Jokic — as well as strong wing defenders Bridges and Jae Crowder.
“Crowder said, “We entered the postseason and merely fine-tuned our strategies. We want to perform what we’ve been doing all year, only at a more elevated level. The playoffs elicited this from us. Despite facing several challenges, we’ve managed to surmount them.”
“We have been competing against strong offensive teams recently. Reviewing the last two series, both teams demonstrated high offensive capability. Our strength lies in our unity, our shared understanding and our collective pursuit of the same goal. We must maintain this to reach our desired destination.”
They also need to keep following the lead of the stoic Williams, recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.
Williams stated, “We vowed that we would never let anything alter our culture.”
The Suns will get ample rest before facing either the Jazz or the Clippers. Which of these teams presents the most challenging matchup?
So, Phoenix is considering the possibility of Paul’s absence at the start of the conference finals, but nothing changes.
If Paul is unable to participate in the team’s first Western Conference finals appearance since 2010, the Suns would sorely miss all of his intangible qualities. These include his leadership both on and off the court, his formidable mid-range game, and his ability to perform under pressure.
However, as Phoenix anticipates its next adversary, it continues to have faith in the foundation established by Williams and General Manager James Jones.
“Crowder stated, “The five of us on the court are always in sync. Our leadership is exceptional and our coaching excellent, setting us up for success at the moment. I genuinely believe we’re bonding as a team, and it’s evident. During crucial game moments, we trust each other implicitly to execute the correct move. I think we’re playing correctly, playing uninhibited and playing for each other.”
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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