Chris Paul seems to enjoy the notion of being underrated.
That’s why, after the Phoenix Suns swept the Western Conference semifinals to secure their spot among the NBA’s top four, he talked about how he was ruled out a couple of seasons ago. It is for the same reason that he discussed spending two years on the junior team in high school. Like, in his words, “it shouldn’t necessarily be here.”
It’s a nice speech. But that is not reality.
The fact is, Paul and the Suns are right where they should be. He remains an elite player in what he does. He has helped the Suns reach a level few believed they could achieve in their first year. They will face the Utah Jazz or the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Finals starting next week. And there are few who will choose Phoenix to reach the NBA Finals.
“I’ve always had to work and I like that mentality and I’ve always been like that and will continue to do so,” said Paul. “If you like it, fine. If you don’t like it, that’s fine too ”.
He is someone who has had to work very hard. But it is also one that has done so very successfully.
His success didn’t just come out of nowhere.
And to be fair, there were questions as to whether their window to win a championship had closed after a hamstring injury that helped the Houston Rockets fail to win games 6 and 7 in the Conference Finals. West in 2018 against Golden State.
Consider this quote from Denver coach Michael Malone at the conclusion of Sunday’s game in which Paul had 37 points and helped Phoenix sweep the Nuggets, the first time in the point guard’s career that he eliminated an opponent in the Minimum of games: “Chris Paul could well be the best point guard ever.”
Paul has not been underestimated.
The Suns, those if they have beaten the forecasts.
Phoenix hadn’t reached the postseason in 11 years and Monty Williams hadn’t won a playoff series as a coach until this season. They have only one player on the roster, Jae Crowder, with NBA Finals experience, and that was last year with Miami. And now they are four wins away from reaching the series for the title.
Paul was sent to Phoenix in November and the Suns haven’t been the same since.
Finally Devin Booker has hit the big stage and is thriving by averaging 27.9 points in 10 playoff games. Deandre Ayton has made 72% of his field goals.
The Suns have the best record yet at 8-2. His two losses came when Paul tried to play with one arm after a shoulder injury in the first round.
Paul has everything but a title.
The underrated, like it or not, might as well be the favorite to change that.
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