Phoenix Suns Putting the League on Notice After 16th Straight Win

Anyone who thought last year's run to the finals was a fluke must be sick of the taste of humble pie by now. Last night in Brooklyn, the Suns dismantled the Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn Nets for their 16th straight win, showing the entire league that they are a team to be feared come playoff time.

After starting the season 1-3 the Suns now sit a half-game back of the league-leading Golden State Warriors at 17-3. Fittingly, it will be the Warriors who stand in the way of the Suns winning 17 straight when the two teams clash on Tuesday night in what could be an early candidate for game of the year. When asked about facing off against the Warriors, Devin Booker was emphatic when he said, "I am looking forward to it. Obviously [it is] not a make it or break it game. Not a playoff game. But we know it will be a high-energy game. Two best records in the NBA. It is going to be a high-intensity, fun game."

Booker, who scored 30 against Brooklyn, is pacing the team with 23.9 points per game (good enough for 13th in the league in scoring) while shooting 45.8% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. While Booker and Center Deandre Ayton have taken accounted for most of the scoring, it must be noted that Chris Paul is currently leading the league in assists at 10.1 per game. Paul recently passed Nets Coach, and Suns Legend, Steve Nash to move into 3rd all-time in career assists, adding another accolade to the 11-time All-Star's impressive resume that includes 4 All-NBA First-Team Selections as well as 7-time First-Team All-Defensive selections.

One thing that has eluded the 36-year old guard is the Larry O'Brien trophy, reaching his first NBA finals in last year's playoffs. Paul and the Suns will be hoping for another kick at the can come April and all signs point to another deep run if the Suns can continue playing like a team possessed. Watch full highlights from last night's win below.