NBA Western Power Rankings Week 4: Warriors make history

Nov 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) handles the ball in the first half of the NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

6th: Phoenix Suns (28 points)

By Tom West

Record: 7-7

Record last week: 2-2

Similarly to the Blazers, the Suns have been using their offense and a dynamic young backcourt to produce for them this season. Eric Bledsoe has taken his game to new heights with career-highs in points (23.2), field goal percentage (48), steals (two) and player efficiency ratings (23.9). Earning 9th place in the NBA in scoring has helped Bledsoe kick off this season with the momentum that the Suns need, and the rise of Brandon Knight just makes things even better.

Knight has elevated his game too, but he’s made a far bigger leap than Bledsoe. He set a new career-high in scoring after recording 37 points a couple of weeks ago before topping it again with 38 points against the Nuggets last week. On top of that, he even notched his first ever triple double with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists shortly after on November 16. He just keeps doing more and more. And if you made a list of people you weren’t expecting to average 21.4 points a night this season, Knight would probably be on that list.

Overall last week, the Suns’ 2-2 record isn’t anything for fans to get too excited about. Wins over the Lakers and Nuggets aren’t too impressive, and a 116-122 loss to the Pelicans certainly isn’t a great result to end the week. However, while their defense struggles, their backcourt duo at least looks like a pair of stars in the making so far.

Next: Memphis Grizzlies