Why the Phoenix Suns Have Thrived Without Chris Paul

Chris Paul is a future Hall of Famer and can still produce at 38-years-old. However, the Phoenix Suns have thrived in the two games he has missed in the second round against the Denver Nuggets due to a groin injury.

With Paul, the Suns were in a 2-0 series hole at the hands of the Nuggets. Once he went down, the team managed to level the series heading into Game 5.

Why is it that the Suns have looked better without Paul? ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith believes he knows the answer:

"Devin Booker is the real deal," Smith said on ESPN’s First Take. "This brother is something special. However, he's not the biggest reason the Suns have tied this series. The biggest reason is Chris Paul. He has not played, that's the biggest reason. If he were playing, the pace would have been slower and Monty Williams would have not used his bench."

It's true - since Paul went down, Williams has utilized players more than he would normally rely on. He inserted Cameron Payne into the starting lineup and while his stats don’t necessarily show it, Payne’s presence has allowed the ball to move more at a rapid pace.

Players such as Terrence Ross and TJ Warren have been utilized off the bench. In Games 3 and 4, they both added spacing to Phoenix’s lineup while they were on the floor and contributed well offensively as Warren scored seven points in Game 3 and Ross scored eight points in Game 4.

Paul will remain out of the Suns lineup for Game 5 tonight and is questionable to return for Game 6.

Even if Paul is to come back at some point this series, Williams has to stick to what has been working and continue to rely on his bench.