Its Phoenix Suns ranked The NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, another positive step for the organization seeking the first championship in its history.
In the 1992-93 season, Barkley played his first season with the Suns, already consolidated as one of the top stars in the league. He averaged 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game and was surrounded by notable offenses like Dan Majerle, Kevin Johnson and Cedric Ceballos, as well as veteran Danny Ainge.
They achieved a mark of 62-20, culminating in the first position of the Western Conference and in the development of the postseason they would leave in the way the Los Angeles Lakers (3-2), San Antonio Spurs (4-2) and Seattle SuperSonics ( 4-3). In the Finals they lost 4-2 to Chicago, in what was their third consecutive title.
The Suns are going to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993! Back then:
• Charles Barkley was on the team
• Monty Williams played for Notre Dame
• Chris Paul was 8 years old
• Devin Booker was -3 pic.twitter.com/Bl0UzAhH0u– SB Nation (@SBNation) July 1, 2021
In contrast, we have a 2021 Phoenix Suns that have a staff based on the mentoring of Chris paul and the offensive of Devin Booker.
Paul averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 assists this season, while Booker was the team’s leading scorer with 25.6 points per game. Along with them is a young squad made up of Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne, among others. The role of veteran Jae Crowder is also noteworthy.
During the regular season they finished second in the Western Conference with a 51-21 record, returning for the first time to 50 wins in more than a decade.
In the 2021 playoffs they eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2), swept the Denver Nuggets (4-0) and finally managed to overcome the Los Angeles Clippers (4-2).
The Suns are Finals bound! For the first time since 1993, the Phoenix Suns will battle it out for the NBA championship title. pic.twitter.com/bMugRJuUWv
– 12 News (@ 12News) July 1, 2021
In terms of game dynamics they are radically different. However, they have in common that they have at least one player at the level of the Hall of Fame and a roster eager for success.
It only remains to be seen if these Suns of 2021, who want to leave behind the lost finals in 1976 and 1993, achieve the first title for the organization.