The status of Chris Paul for the conference finals is uncertain, and without his stabilizing influence, Phoenix’s impressive streak may face difficulties.
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,'”
“By consistently practicing our culture and accomplishing our daily tasks, we have something to sustain us,” added Williams. “It provides us with a degree of stability on a daily basis.”
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” that Williams mentioned earlier has already been incorporated into the team and is continually nurtured in a rapidly developed culture of accountability.
For the first time since 2010, the Suns have advanced to the West finals. It is these intricacies and components that have brought success to Phoenix.
“Guys are always primed to perform, particularly in crucial situations,” Williams stated. “Naturally, replacing someone like Chris Paul isn’t simple, but that’s why our player development program is crucial. This year, we’ve seen players like Payne, Moore and even Booker, who occasionally played point for us, rise to the occasion. So, our team is prepared for the challenge.”
Everyone is dealing with it. Looking around the league, you can see Philly, the Clippers, and Utah all have situations. So, we don’t feel singled out when it comes to dealing with health issues and maintaining fitness. As a team and staff, we are prepared for any situation that may arise. We believe our players are ready for any challenges that may come up.
Phoenix intends to assess Paul, who is said to have received the vaccine, on Saturday and give an update on his condition. The conference finals can begin as early as Sunday, contingent on the completion date of the Western Conference semifinals game between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz.
Therefore, getting Paul through the COVID-19 protocols in time to potentially play on Sunday could be challenging, considering the significant variation in time off this season for players who tested positive for the virus.
In March, the NBA relaxed some of the earlier protocols for league personnel who had received the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, existing protocols for any players showing coronavirus symptoms still apply, which might entail a 10-day quarantine, irrespective 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 swiftly, he needs to produce two negative tests at least 24 hours apart, followed by a cardiac screening which will clear him for physical activity.
Williams conveyed that he has considered all potential situations, but has chosen not to overwhelm the team with all the details.
Williams stated, “I strive to avoid overthinking and limit the volume of information I furnish the players with, as our current situation only allows for practice and waiting to see the outcomes. There’s an innate propensity to let your mind wander a bit. I make a conscious effort not to let that happen, particularly with our team.”
This is partly because the Suns are designed to manage such situations. They have multiple options. They possess depth. But above all, they are eager for success.
If compelled to play without Paul, the Suns could either incorporate Payne as the starting point guard, or simply shift two-time All-Star Booker to that position.
After recent periods in China and the G League, Payne joined the Suns as part of a reclamation project. He is now averaging 10.2 points over 10 playoff games, with a shooting percentage of 41.8% from the field and 38.9% from the 3-point range. He is also averaging 2.9 assists per game.
During Phoenix’s opening-round series against the Lakers, Paul was battling a shoulder injury. Payne stepped up, averaging close to 16 points and 4.5 assists from Games 2 to 5, with a shooting accuracy of 49% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. However, Payne’s playing time was slightly reduced in the conference semifinals as Paul regained his full strength.
Nevertheless, Payne had demonstrated his abilities on a grand platform against a formidable adversary.
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Booker’s versatility allows him to serve as an alternative point guard option. Although he excels in his off-ball role, his offensive creation skills and sound decision-making in pick-and-roll situations are evident. During the conference semifinals, Booker was outstanding, averaging 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He has also spent a significant portion of the season playing as a point guard.
“When asked about the significance of playing consequential basketball at this time, Booker responded, “This is my purpose. I’ve prepared and trained for this. I don’t spend my summer workouts assuming that my season will end after 82 games. I put myself in a mindset where every shot is crucial. Every training, every workout is focused on the postseason or these kinds of games.”
Consideration should also be given to the injury status of potential conference finals opponents for Phoenix. The Suns arguably have a deeper roster than the Clippers, who are currently without Kawhi Leonard due to a knee injury that casts doubt on his future availability. Utah is in a similar situation, playing without their point guard Mike Conley, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, while Donovan Mitchell struggles with ankle pain that hampers his agility and explosive speed.
Imagine Mitchell dealing with his ankle injury, Conley just recovering 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 threat, Mitchell.
Think about a comparable situation involving the Clippers. Should Leonard be absent, LA would have to pick from several strategies to defend against Booker. If the Clippers decide to use their strongest perimeter defender, Paul George, to guard Booker, the energy he uses could 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 first round and was able to limit the impact of Michael Porter Jr. in the semifinals.
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The Suns concluded the regular season ranked as the sixth in defensive rating (110.4), and they currently hold the No. 2 position (104.7) in the postseason.
Booker stated, “I believe our progress is mainly due to improved communication, our flexibility, and Deandre Ayton’s ability to defend the paint. We’re fortunate to have competitive wing players who can handle a variety of defensive situations and guard diverse types of players. We trust in ourselves, operate as a team, communicate effectively, and hold each other accountable. We know we can score as well as anyone in a variety of manners and exploit teams for different types of coverage. But our primary reliance is on our 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 stated, “We entered the postseason and simply intensified our efforts. Everything we’ve been working on throughout the year, we’re aiming to elevate it in this phase. I believe the playoffs elicited this from us. We’ve faced some tough situations, but we’ve managed to triumph over them.”
“We’ve been competing against teams with strong offensive abilities. In the last two series, you can see this in both teams. Their offensive strength is evident. It all comes down to our unity, our shared understanding, and our collective pursuit of the same goal. We must persist in this to reach our desired position.”
They also need to keep following the lead of the stoic Williams, recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.
“We vowed never to let anything alter our culture,” said Williams.
The Suns will have ample time to prepare for either the Jazz or the Clippers. Which team presents the most challenging matchup?
So, as Phoenix contemplates the possible absence of Paul at the start of the conference finals, nothing changes.
If Paul is unavailable to participate in the team’s first Western Conference finals since 2010, the Suns will definitely feel the absence of his unique contributions, including his leadership both on and off the court, his formidable mid-range game, and his capacity to perform under pressure.
However, as Phoenix anticipates its next adversary, it continues to trust in the groundwork laid by Williams and General Manager James Jones.
“Crowder stated, ‘The five players on the court are always in sync. Our strong leadership and excellent coaching place us in a position to excel. I undoubtedly sense a strong connection among us, which is evident. We completely trust each other to make the right decision during critical game moments. I believe we are playing as we should, freely and 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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