Ayton credits NBA bubble for Suns' success

The Phoenix Suns are two wins away from a trip to the NBA Finals, and DeAndre Ayton believes the Orlando bubble is a big reason why.

In an interview with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, Ayton said the Suns' experience in the bubble laid the groundwork for their success this season.

"Things started turning around in the bubble," he said. "In the bubble, with the way we handled ourselves, team success comes with individual accolades. I think that is what really happened in the bubble. I saw each and every one of us really grow. We won some games and we started to put the right staff in. That is why we are here, to be honest. Whatever we are doing (now), was built in the bubble.

"Winning was contagious and we added pieces like (Chris Paul), Jae (Crowder), E'Twaun Moore, Langston Galloway, and Torrey Craig. Those are guys who have been in the game and played at high levels like this. That is the best way I can think of how I turned my career into a positive one."

The Suns went 8-0 in the bubble last season but failed to qualify for the play-in tournament. This season, they finished at 51-21 to secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and earn a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2010.