The Phoenix Suns was projected to be one of the league's worst teams and the Indiana Pacers were expected to take the next step from their Eastern Conference Finals stand-off with eventual champion Miami Heat. Only one of those projections held true. The Pacers are a dominant team with the best record in the East, but they could not conquer the "lowly" Suns.

The Suns surprise performance has suddenly placed them in the running for numerous individual accolades. Coach Jeff Hornacek may well become Coach of the Year in his debut, and Goran Dragic is in contention for Most Improved Player.

Dragic, or the Dragon as some would call him, is having career highs across the board. To illustrate his achievements, USA Today provides some perspective. On the question of whether Dragic is an All-Star: "He indisputably is. Look at where Dragic has put the shocking Phoenix Suns and held them up in starting point guard Eric Bledsoe's absence. Look at his membership in the 19-point, six-assist, 49-percent club: him, MVP LeBron James -- and nobody else. Look at his perpetual effort with determination that turns into fire-breathing Dragon hot streaks."

Prior to the game, Dragic heard about the All-Star Reserves choices, which he was not a part of (from AZCentral: "I didn't want to know. I was a little bit sad, emotional, because I really wanted that. You've got hope, and you know that you deserve it. I know it was a tough selection with so many great players in the West, but it still hits you."

Jeff Hornacek sets a good example and concentrates on the game. They just beat the Indiana Pacers completing a sweep of one of the league's best:

"When you have a big lead, it's really difficult to stop the flow sometimes, especially when a team gets right back and cuts it to three or four points. That's when you have to have some guys with some guts that can make some shots and make plays. Our guys did that. That's what I'm proud of."

The Suns success on a year they were supposed to be tanking means the only way is up for them. Hornacek is a great coach (better than Brad Stevens) and the Suns have cap space and draft picks stockpiled to make the team stronger. Their top player is unselfish and doesn't carry a lot of baggage. They're the anti-Knicks and that's always good!