At this time of year nine years ago, the 54-28 Suns were in a first round playoff battle with the Portland Trail Blazers. They won that series 4-2 and then also won their next series against San Antonio 4-0 before finally falling in the Western Conference Finals to the Lakers 2-4.
Oh, how we all wish for those times to return. Even a first round playoff loss would be preferable to a nine year playoff drought.
Since then, bright spots have been few and far between for Suns fans. The brightest in the past few years was the 2013-14 season when the Suns surprised most of the NBA and fell just short of making it back to the playoffs with a 48-34 record.