NBA: 5 Darkhorse Championship Contenders
By Evan Massey
5. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix isn’t a team that gets a lot of talk from analysts or fans about being potential championship contenders, but they definitely have the makeup of a team that could make a run. They are extremely quick and athletic, and are a very deep team as well. There aren’t many teams that can match up with their speed and athleticism, and they will be very difficult for any team to knock off in a seven game series.
The back-court of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe is one of the best in the league, and then adding in Isaiah Thomas off of the bench makes it unfair. There is an upgrade needed at the center position with neither Miles Plumlee or Alex Len being championship caliber big guys, but they’re not terrible either.
It’s going to be a very fun season to watch the Suns, and they are serious contenders to make a big run later in the season with their young, athletic roster. They have an excellent head coach in Jeff Hornacek, and are going to improve throughout the season as their young players continue to get better. Phoenix likely won’t end up winning the championship, but they can’t be counted out either.
Next: 4. Miami Heat