LeBron James: 5 reasons to join the Phoenix Suns

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Apr 6, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (on ground) celebrates with teammates Goran Dragic (1) and Gerald Green (14) after being fouled in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Thunder 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Suns Are A Great Organization

One of the most frustrating things for most Suns fans is that their team is constantly disrespected or overlooked. It’s no surprise since the franchise is still awaiting its first championship and it doesn’t help that Phoenix’s biggest rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, constantly dwarfs the Suns in terms of prestige and legacy and doesn’t even view the Suns as a real rival.

The Suns had been a running joke following Amar’e Stoudemire‘s departure until last season. They went from a Western Conference Finals team to a team that gave guys like Hedo Turkoglu, Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress significant minutes.

But times are different now, and despite a few rough years, the Phoenix Suns shouldn’t be overlooked by basketball’s greatest player. The Suns are the fifth winningest franchise in NBA history and are armed with a shrewd new general manager who hasn’t been shooting blanks like former GM Lance Blanks did (Michael Beasley, anyone?). By bringing in Ryan McDonough, even Robert Sarver has somewhat redeemed himself, from a basketball decision-making standpoint, at least.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek just finished second in the Coach of the Year Award voting and led a team full of role players and misfits to 48 wins in the loaded Western Conference. That’s six games less than Miami won during the regular season this year, for anyone who hadn’t realized. You’re not going to tell me that Suns team with LeBron playing alongside his buddy Eric Bledsoe (who shares LeBron’s agent, by the way) couldn’t win 54 games, even in the West.

Finally, we all know LeBron James is cognizant of his legacy. Part of his quest to become the frontrunner in the Greatest of All Time discussion will rely on longevity, especially after falling to 2-3 in the NBA Finals this year. You know who’s notorious for extending the careers of aging veterans and keeping them healthy? The Phoenix Suns warlock medical training staff.

Not that LeBron’s lost a step or anything, but look at how athletic he is now. Can you imagine how terrifying it’d be for the league if the Suns were able to keep that cyborg athlete operating at the same level into his mid-30s? Say goodbye to those cramps!