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By Kobe Blackwell
Cronkite News
PHOENIX – The defending Western Conference champions are playing some of the best basketball this franchise has seen. The Phoenix Suns have remained one of the top teams in the NBA since the start of the season, and through 58 games and with the All-Star break around the corner, they sit atop the standings again.
Suns forward Mikal Bridges has been one of the team’s most intriguing storylines. A top defender, he is making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year.
But lately, Bridges’ contributions on offense have been key in the Suns’ final push into the All-Star break. His ability to turn it up in the fourth quarter has allowed the Suns to finish strong consistently.
With All-Stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker on the court, it has allowed Bridges to open up his offense.
“Those guys, man, for them to just have confidence in me and everybody else out there to give up the shot for somebody else, that builds me up,” Bridges said. “It’s just dope that we have two unselfish guys who can go get a bucket whenever they want.”
Over the last 10 games, Bridges has been lighting up the stat sheet, averaging 19.5 points and 5.6 rebounds.
“You have got to be able to take that shot and live with the results and Mikal with case and point. He’s not afraid to take those shots, and I don’t think he was afraid before,” coach Monty Williams said.
The Suns roster is stacked with players such as Bridges who can develop a scoring role on any night. But General Manager James Jones and the Suns front office felt like adding more role players before the February 10 trade deadline.
And just before that deadline hit, the Suns did just that, added two depth pieces to the roster.
Phoenix decided to trade for Pacers power forward Torrey Craig in exchange for 2020’s 10th overall pick: power forward Jalen Smith and a 2022 second round draft pick.
Craig is familiar with the Suns as he saw meaningful minutes in the team’s run to the NBA Finals in 2021. Suns players are happy to have Craig back in the locker room and welcomed him with open arms.
“Very nice, man,” shooting guard Devin Booker said. “Obviously it felt like he didn’t leave at all. He’s right in here, the vibes are great. I’m happy to have him back.”
Craig had 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, which was complemented by two steals in 23 minutes in his season debut for the Suns on February 10 against the Orlando Magic.
“It’s crazy,” Craig said. “It literally feels like the same way it did last season, just coming in and fitting right in with the guys. But I guess it’s that easy and you have a bunch of guys who play together and play to a certain standard.”
The Suns now have a crowded forward room with Craig, Bridges, Jae Crowder and Cameron Johnson.
Phoenix also added Wizards guard Aaron Holiday for cash considerations. Holiday, 25, is a fifth year player out of UCLA and is brother to Bucks guard Jrue Holiday.
Holiday was an instant contributor in his Suns debut. He had 10 points shooting and was 4 of 5 from the field in 10 minutes.
“Watching Aaron out there hawk the ball, we value that. His ability to shoot the ball and defend the ball is something Holidays are known for. So just watching those guys (Holiday and Craig) fit right into the program was pretty cool,” Williams said.
Led by Paul, Holiday’s addition will give the Suns options at point guard heading into the playoffs. The Suns also have Cameron Payne, who has missed 18 games. And Elfred Payton who has seen meaningful minutes during Payne’s absence.
The Suns have won seven games in a row and are 4-0 since the deadline heading into All-Star weekend. They will look to keep the momentum going after the break as they return to action on February 24 to take on a young Oklahoma City Thunder team.
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