Jeff Hornacek against the New Orleans Pelicans at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns missed the 2015 NBA Playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn from them

There’s nothing that rivals the experience that a team can gain by making the NBA playoffs for the first time as a unit. The Phoenix Suns know that — but it doesn’t mean they should just sit at home and feel sorry for themselves. This is an opportunity to learn by watching the clubs that did make the playoffs, to see what they can learn from each team.

In each of the last two seasons, the Suns have had an opportunity to make that initial push — that first bit of growth that every team receives as a result of making the playoffs. Unfortunately, the team has had it’s share of fatal flaws that have reared their ugly heads late in the season.

In 2013-14, the Suns finished 48-34 but couldn’t take care of business in the last two weeks of the season, including a horrific road loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, when they needed a win badly. In 2014-15, that same situation came to light, as the Suns were battling to sneak into the playoffs but they had a terrible home loss to the Sacramento Kings that in retrospect, ended their season.

Let’s look at four different teams that the Suns should be watching intently, so that they can improve and finally break through in 2015-16.