Suns inch up in this week's power rankings

Like we do every week, time for another look at where the Suns sit in the most recent power rankings.

We'll start with Pro Basketball Talk over at NBC Sports. Writer Kurt Helin has the Suns at 20, a rise of three spots from last week.

Here's what Helin had to say:

This team seems to just hang around in every game, and that led to some close losses in recent weeks but last week led to some close wins (led by Mirza Teletovic‘s game winner against the Bulls). Why does it already feel like they will finish ninth or 10th in the West again?

Over at CBS Sports writer Matt Moore has the Suns moving up four spots from last week to sit at 19.

Here's what Moore had to say:

In the past 10 days, they've lost to the Grizzlies, Wizards and Blazers, and defeated the Magic, Wolves and Bulls. Phoenix is basically Kevin Costner in "Tin Cup" at this point.

Next, we check in to Sports Illustrated. Writer Jeremy Woo has the Suns at 19, a four spot improvement from last Monday.

Here's what Woo had to say:

Eric Bledsoe has a great case for his first All-Star Game, sitting fifth in scoring, third in steals and Top-10 in rebounds and assists among Western Conference guards. He's led the Suns to wins in three of the past four games, helping to somewhat correct two rough weeks.

Now over to the Washington Post. Writer Tim Bontemps has the Suns at 20, up four spots from his last rankings.

Here's what Bontemps had to say:

Markieff Morris has been banished to the end of the bench. Is the next step for him to be traded?

Lastly, we check in with Marc Stein over at ESPN. Stein has the Suns at 19, up two spots from last week.

Here's what Stein had to say:

Tyson Chandler is back, and the Suns' frustrating run of seven straight games decided by five or fewer points (3-4) has been halted. Next on the agenda: With more than 110 free-agent signees from the summer becoming trade-eligible Tuesday, stay tuned for a potential resolution to the Suns' long-running Markieff Morris drama.