"When Jason Richardson made three consecutive 3-pointers during a six-minute span of the Suns' 118-114 win over the Hawks on Sunday, it might have seemed like nothing more than streaky shooting.

Back look at the big picture and see that Richardson is shooting and scoring like few others in the NBA this season. Richardson has emerged as Phoenix's leading scorer with 22.5 points per game and has made 21 of 40 3-pointers in six games.

"He's playing as well as any (shooting) guard in the league," Suns Coach Alvin Gentry said.

Richardson's 3-point shooting has thrived since he joined the Suns. He has made 1.9 per game and is shooting 38.9 percent from long distance in his first two seasons with the team. But he wants some lasting power in this run.

"I worked hard this off-season to be consistent where I don't have streaks and not where I'm making it and then I have bad spells where I don't make a shot for three weeks," Richardson said. "Consistency. Steady getting shots up. Having confidence in my game. There's more aggressiveness going on. Right now, my shot's going. When it's not, I've got to find a way to get to the free-throw line."

Richardson has taken only 11 free throws in six games but has made several clutch shots, a carryover from the end of last season. He made two of three jump shots in the final 3:12 Sunday.

"On that type of play, I want the ball in my hands and can deal with the outcome," Richardson said. "Most of the time, I hope the outcome is a win.""