Kevin Durant, the first to be surprised by the Suns’ trip

« Wow… this conference is crazy », coward Kevin Durantasked about the density of the West. ” You can lose two places in the rankings one night and move up two places the next “, he notes.

If the Thunder and Spurs are well established, in first and second place in the conference, the next five teams will be held in just three games. The Nuggets (35-20) have just three more wins than the Suns (32-23).

« Look at Phoenix, who no one saw as good and who once on the field looks like a title contender “, describes “KD”. A nice allusion to his former training he accused, at the beginning of Januarybecause they unfairly singled him out because of the failure of their past experience together.

« I feel like they wanted to make me their scapegoat for all the problems we had as a team last season », said Kevin Durant, whose former team, at the time of this “All-Star break”, has only four fewer victories than the whole of last year (36v-46d).

The Suns who turned the page of this famous “Big Three” (Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal). ” We talked about building a new identity, a new culture, solid play and competitiveness. I think we did that in the first 55 games », referee owner Mat Ishbia.

The sample is still too small

« Now we have to be regular and maintain it during the second half of the year, then the next. I’m really proud, everyone is doing their best and it’s going well », continues the leader whose training will continue next Thursday in San Antonio, before continuing at home (Magic, Blazers, Celtics and Lakers).

The owners’ expectations therefore remain unchanged until the end of the season. With the idea that 55 matches ” are not enough » to realize the potential of this team, not spared by injuries, now led by Devin Booker – Dillon Brooks.

« Our level of concentration must be extremely high, especially in the West. There’s a gap of just two or three games that can put you in the playoff race, whether you’re in fourth, fifth or even third place. We have to stay really focused “, is also aware of the wing player, who the Rockets traded with Jaylen Green for Kevin Durant.

This transfer, along with the departure of Bradley Beal to the Clippers and the firing of Mike Budenholzer, who was replaced by Jordan Ott, sealed the shift that the Arizona franchise wanted last offseason.

« Everything is different. The coach is different, the players too. The whole situation has changed. We really tried last year, but we didn’t make it. We have turned the page and everything is going full speed right now. Obviously we have room for improvement, but we like the position we are in. », appreciates Devin Booker.

« We are still making progress. We are trying to stay healthy to see what our full potential will be when everything is in place. The end of the season promises to be exciting ,” outlines a team that, ironically, looks perfectly capable of finishing ahead of the “KD” Rockets in the standings.