Stephen A. Smith BOLDLY claims the Suns will reach the NBA Finals if Kevin Durant is healthy
Stephen A. Smith’s bold prediction for the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant
Follow Us
The Phoenix Suns made a stunning move at the NBA trade deadline by acquiring Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a package of young players and draft picks. Durant, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, joined a Suns team that already had a formidable core of Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.
The addition of Durant instantly made the Suns one of the favorites to win the 2023 NBA championship, and one of the most vocal supporters of the Suns is ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who is known for his bold and controversial opinions on sports topics. Smith recently appeared on First Take and declared that he believes that the Suns will make it to the Finals, if Durant is healthy and playing at his best. Smith argued that the Suns have added a game-changer and a difference-maker in Durant, who can elevate any team he plays for to another level.
Stephen A. Smith also praised Booker and Paul for their leadership and scoring ability and said that they will complement Durant perfectly on the court. Smith suggested that Booker will benefit from having Durant as a teammate, as he will face less defensive pressure and have more open shots. Smith also said that Paul will be able to orchestrate the offense and control the tempo with his veteran savvy and basketball IQ.
Smith concluded by saying that he respects Durant and his talent, and he thinks that he will lead the Suns to the Finals over any team in the West, as he is one of the most efficient and unstoppable offensive superstars this game has ever seen.
Also Read: WATCH: Malik Monk gets EJECTED after having a ‘heated’ tussle with the referee over a disputed call
How realistic is Stephen A. Smith’s claim?
Smith’s claim that the Suns will reach the Finals if Durant is healthy is a bold one, but it is not entirely unrealistic. The Suns have indeed added a game-changer and a difference-maker in Durant, who can elevate any team he plays for to another level. Durant has also proven that he can win and perform well in the playoffs, as he has won two championships and two Finals MVP awards with the Golden State Warriors.
The Suns also face less competition in the Western Conference than they did before, as some of their rivals have been weakened by injuries or trades. The Lakers have lost LeBron James for an indefinite period due to an ankle injury, while the Jazz have traded away Rudy Gobert for Andre Drummond. The Nuggets have lost Jamal Murray for the season due to a torn ACL.
On the other hand, Smith’s claim that the Suns will reach the Finals if Durant is healthy may be a bit optimistic or biased. The Suns have not given up a lot of depth and chemistry by trading for Durant, and they may struggle to integrate him into their system and culture. Durant has also missed a lot of games due to injuries in recent years, and there is no guarantee that he will be able to stay healthy for the entire postseason.
The only way to find out who will reach the Finals and win the championship is to watch how both teams perform on the court when it matters most. Until then, Smith’s claim is just his opinion, and everyone is entitled to their own.
In Case You Missed:
Stay Updated!
Ankush Singh
(616 Articles Published)