DAN BICKLEY

July is deer hunting season in Phoenix for the Suns

Jul 8, 2021, 10:02 PM | Updated: Jul 9, 2021, 6:56 am
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 06: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns goes up for a slam dunk ahead of Jr...
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 06: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns goes up for a slam dunk ahead of Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half of game one of the NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena on July 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Bucks 118-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — In basketball, a true brotherhood is hard to beat. But a team with great chemistry and great players?

Those teams are practically invincible.

Welcome to the 2021 Suns.

Welcome to deer hunting season in Phoenix.

“I think we’re prepared for this moment,” Devin Booker said.

The Suns own a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals because they’re a superior team with a backcourt currently producing at historic levels. They duplicated their 118-point output from Game 1 against a vaunted Bucks defense. They made 20-of-40 three-point shots on Thursday, exceeding their shooting percentage from close range.

They lost Dario Saric to injury, absorbed a dominant performance from Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and still made it look easy.

“Our team, we got shooters. Like, real shooters,” Chris Paul said. “I say this all the time: It’s nice when you kick it to the guy and you expect him to make it.”

If you want one play to describe the heart and soul of this basketball, it wouldn’t be any of the clutch shots that Booker and Paul made in the second half. It wasn’t the timeout after the Bucks cut the deficit to six points with 4:32 left in the game, when there wasn’t a whiff of fear in the arena, where Suns fans are no longer waiting for bad breaks or shoes to drop.

No. It was the play at the end of the first half when the Suns moved the basketball like the Harlem Globetrotters. They made 10 passes in their half-court offense before Deandre Ayton scored at the rim and completed a three-point play.

That was the true power of the Suns, a team where everyone has the green light, where everyone is empowered to shoot the ball, where their selflessness is something to behold.

“That’s just who we are,” Suns head coach Monty Williams said. “One of our pillars is sharing the ball. My time in San Antonio under Pop (head coach Gregg Popovich) for all those years, I learned that when the ball moves like that, one, everybody gets to take ownership. And, two, it can have an effect on the defense … that was a huge momentum play for us.”

The Suns are now in the HOV lane to a championship. If there is poetic justice in these Finals, they will win one game in Milwaukee, earning a chance to clinch a championship in downtown Phoenix. Also, Jerry Colangelo will be in attendance for a Game 5, and it’s his last chance to experience that elusive NBA title in person, as he is leaving with Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics shortly thereafter.

At the very least, their performance in Game 2 should mute the idiocy of those attaching asterisks to the Suns’ postseason run, questioning the legitimacy due to all the fallen stars they’ve avoided along the way. This is a team that led the NBA in road victories, closed out three playoff opponents on the road and now have eight double-digit victories in the postseason.

Truth is, opposing fans are blinded by jealousy. Who wouldn’t want a basketball team like ours?

The Suns are tough, clutch and fun to watch. They don’t manage loads or take nights off. They play hard on both ends of the defense and can beat you in whatever style you choose. They have young core of players who are just getting started.

Before he was selected with the No. 1 overall pick, Deandre Ayton once claimed he and Booker could be Shaq and Kobe 2.0. Once, the prediction sounded ridiculously ambitious. Now it’s a warning siren to the rest of the league.

Finally, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went viral before Game 2. He paid homage to the infamous coin flip between the teams in 1969 by flipping his own coin. When it landed, Abdul-Jabbar proclaimed the
Bucks would win in six.

Sorry, that’s not going to happen. This is a new day in Phoenix. This is a team authoring one of the more dominant postseasons in history. As for the curses and heartbreaks and misfortunes of years past?

No more. The buck — and the Bucks — stop here.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker warms up before Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo warms up before Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fans watch players warm up before Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) passes the ball while defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, left, shoots against Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns start Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, dribbles against Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, left, jumps for the ball next to Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton, middle, and forward P.J. Tucker during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer gestures during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, second from left, watches Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) defends a shot by Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Jeff Teague during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams gestures during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jeff Teague (5) and center Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, bottom, reacts after being called for a foul on Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives against Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker reacts after contact during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker reacts after contact during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) reacts toward referee Zach Zarba during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, middle, shoots between Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, and center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Jimmy Eat World performs during halftime of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) reacts during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Jimmy Eat World performs during halftime of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, left, reacts with head coach Monty Williams during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, reacts with guard Chris Paul (3) during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Fans cheer during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, reaches for the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, middle, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, top, and forward Khris Middleton during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, jogs past head coach Monty Williams after shooting a three point basket during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25), forward Jae Crowder (99) and center Deandre Ayton during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) pulls down a rebound as Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul looks on during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, defends during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) is defended by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, left, greets forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo grabs his leg during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Fans cheer during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, center, greets fans during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, shoots against Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, dunks over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, passes the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the sidelines during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis, left, scores as Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, bottom, looks on during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) 
              Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, right looks on during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool)
            
              Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig grabs his leg during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
            Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, celebrates with Jae Crowder after the Suns defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Fans help Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton get up during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) jumps for the ball as Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson defends during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, celebrates with forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) walks past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) is defended by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, middle, cheers during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, dunks over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, pool) Fans cheer during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) celebrates with guard Chris Paul (3) after the Suns defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, right, passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jeff Teague (5) during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Dan Bickley

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on March 22, 2023 in Los...
Dan Bickley

Suns crying foul hints at problems between their ears

The Suns have been tagged as a flopping, foul-hunting, fall-down-after-every-shot kind of team. You don’t think that comes with consequences?
2 days ago
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, left, reacts to referee CJ Washington (12) during the first...
Dan Bickley

Complaints about whistles by Suns distract from their real problems

The Suns have glaring holes that they are hoping Kevin Durant can fix. And it's hard to say they're working to patch those holes.
10 days ago
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns signs autographs before the game against the Chicago Bulls at ...
Dan Bickley

Feeling like Griswold: Suns fans left waiting for Kevin Durant’s home debut after scratch

Durant was a late scratch on Wednesday, a letdown for a sold-out crowd anticipating one of the most celebrated home debuts in Suns history.
16 days ago
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns signs autographs before the game against the Chicago Bulls at ...
Dan Bickley

Kevin Durant’s home debut for Suns will reignite Valley

When Kevin Durant takes the court Wednesday for his first home game in Phoenix, the atmosphere will be overwhelming.
18 days ago
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv F...
Dan Bickley

Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant can finish the job many before him could not

Barkley delivered the laughs. Nash started a revolution. Book and CP3 rekindled a love affair. Kevin Durant can finish the job.
24 days ago
New Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon answers a question from the media during a press c...
Dan Bickley

Cardinals’ new coaching staff is impossibly green by NFL standards

First-time head coach Jonathan Gannon is 40 years old. His first-time DC Nick Rallis is 29. Together, they are younger than Bruce Arians.
29 days ago
July is deer hunting season in Phoenix for the Suns