Chris Paul has found his ideal place in Phoenix, with a group of hard-working players in the gym who are obsessed with winning games and bringing the NBA trophy to the desert.
Last season, the Suns came very close to that goal.
And a good part of his establishment returns now, in search of completing the mission.
At 36, Paul begins his 17th season in the NBA. And after handing out 11 assists for his team to win a preseason game against the Lakers, the point guard said he still has a burning desire to win.
“I only know how to play one way,” Paul said. “I don’t care if it’s preseason, a casual game, or practice. I play to win. People will say I’m exaggerating, but I don’t care. The only way you improve is when you treat every game the same. “
Paul is back for a second season in Phoenix after signing a four-year deal that could total $ 120 million. On his new team, he encountered like-minded players such as Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne, and Cameron Johnson.
The group made a surprise advance to the NBA Finals last season. He won the first two games, thanks to a dynamic style that does not shy away from physical contact.
However, the Milwaukee Bucks won the next four games and were crowned.
If one takes into account that this series was carried out less than three months ago, it is clear that the wound is fresh.
And that should motivate some Suns who will seek to be better this time.
“You come into the summer, you take time off, and a week or two after the season is over you want to get back with the team,” Booker said.
The Suns did make some changes to their roster. They added point guard Elfrid Payton, point guard Landry Shamet and center JaVale McGee, who would provide variations. Instead, they lost backup forward Torrey Craig, who declared himself a free agent.
Another substitute forward, Dario Saric, would miss much of the season while recovering from a torn ACL.
But the core is similar. If the Suns are going to make it back to the Finals, it will be because Paul, Booker Ayton and company are in the lead.
The summer break was brief, but coach Monty Williams says his team is ready.
“We have earned the right to have a short break,” Williams said. “We have to be grateful for that.”
.