Phoenix Suns: Five Things to Watch Post All-Star Break

Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard

(1) before the 2014 NBA All Star skills challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the All-Star break has been played and is still as difficult to watch as ever, we can start to focus on the second half. Goran Dragic can continue to show people that he belonged in the game and the Phoenix Suns can continue to prove that they belong in the playoffs.

For a team that was expected to win 25 games for the entire season, a 30-21 record at this point has to be a major success. With that said, the Suns can’t rest on their laurels. The Memphis Grizzlies are lurking just 1.5 games back of the Suns, in the No. 9 seed.

There’s still plenty of basketball to be played and the Suns need to continue their run. Preferably they’d start the second half hot so as to create a bit of separation, but with how difficult the Western Conference is, I wouldn’t bet on it. Let’s take a look at five things to watch for during the final stretch of the season.