Why are we so successful this season?

[GrantHill]

Seriously, what kind of things factor in our recent achievements? Why are we this good after everyone predicted that we would be a bottom team this season?

[Wannabe MEP]

1) Return of Frye, and therefore the return of DragonFyre
2) PJ Tucker learned to shoot threes
3) Hornacek is smart, and he's created a positive environment
4) We were dependent on young players with some question marks: Bledsoe, the Morrii, and Plumlee all performed better than expected
5) The Bledsoe-Dragic experiment worked
6) Stripped out negative players (Beasley, Brown, Telfair)
7) Got more athletic, partly by getting rid of size

[Sunsss]

Team chemistry + good coaching + playing with players that fit the system.

[jcsunsfan]

1) Return of Frye, and therefore the return of DragonFyre
2) PJ Tucker learned to shoot threes
3) Hornacek is smart, and he's created a positive environment
4) We were dependent on young players with some question marks: Bledsoe, the Morrii, and Plumlee all performed better than expected
5) The Bledsoe-Dragic experiment worked
6) Stripped out negative players (Beasley, Brown, Telfair)
7) Got more athletic, partly by getting rid of size

I disagree in some details.

1. Don't think Telfair was a negative player. Marcin was. While he could play, he had no problem publicly going after teammates.
2. Lindsay Hunter was a hugely disruptive influence both before and after he became coach. His exit might be the biggest factor.
3. Lance Blanks is gone. It wasn't just his decisions. It was the environment he created.
4. Gerald Green probably accounts for 5 or 6 games. In fact, the Dragic, Bledsoe backcourt might not work nearly as well without Green. His size and athleticism perfectly complements those two.

[JDLAW]

1) Return of Frye, and therefore the return of DragonFyre
2) PJ Tucker learned to shoot threes
3) Hornacek is smart, and he's created a positive environment
4) We were dependent on young players with some question marks: Bledsoe, the Morrii, and Plumlee all performed better than expected
5) The Bledsoe-Dragic experiment worked
6) Stripped out negative players (Beasley, Brown, Telfair)
7) Got more athletic, partly by getting rid of size

I disagree in some details.

1. Don't think Telfair was a negative player. Marcin was. While he could play, he had no problem publicly going after teammates.
2. Lindsay Hunter was a hugely disruptive influence both before and after he became coach. His exit might be the biggest factor.
3. Lance Blanks is gone. It wasn't just his decisions. It was the environment he created.
4. Gerald Green probably accounts for 5 or 6 games. In fact, the Dragic, Bledsoe backcourt might not work nearly as well without Green. His size and athleticism perfectly complements those two.

Agree with the comment about Green. He has been very important to the success of the team.

Would also add to your astute observations:

1. GORAN DRAGIC's major improvements from last year.
2. The Morris brothers major improvements from last year.
3. Suns are bigger and more athletic with more speed than last year.
4. Suns have better shooters than last year.
5. Suns players are more talented than other teams gave them credit for.
6. They play at a faster pace that other teams cannot match.

[Revived]

Dragic and Morris Bros improvement. Addition of Bledsoe and Green.

Most importantly coaching isn't garbage like it's been the past 3 years or so.

[schnakenpopanz]

Beasley and Brown gone - check

[bigfoot]

When I watched games in the preseason what I noticed was the athleticism and speed of play. That's when I knew these guys were better than projected. I believe McD and Horny are on the same page picking up players who are fast, athletic, and have very long wingspans.

[GetYourPHX]

I think the most important thing the Suns have done this year is outscore their opponents on a regular basis. This simple improvement is the biggest reason they've won more games this year.

[Marz11]

Jeff Hornacek is the reason. He has created a culture and put players in positions where they can get the most out of themselves.

Also a great relationship with McD has gone a long way in constructing a team where everybody is on the same page.

[NaturalBuns]

So many factors.
Dragic developed a 3pter
Tucker developed a 3pter
Markieff went from a stretch 4 to a post player
Channing frye returned

How we are winning?
We control the game most nights with 2 PGs.

[WTFsunsFTW]

im putting all my chips on hornacek

[Calvin Klein]

1) Return of Frye, and therefore the return of DragonFyre
2) PJ Tucker learned to shoot threes
3) Hornacek is smart, and he's created a positive environment
4) We were dependent on young players with some question marks: Bledsoe, the Morrii, and Plumlee all performed better than expected
5) The Bledsoe-Dragic experiment worked
6) Stripped out negative players (Beasley, Brown, Telfair)
7) Got more athletic, partly by getting rid of size

Number 6 is pretty important I'd say.