Almost that time again!
05.05.2025 16:49 β π 3 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0@stephenpg3.bsky.social
We live this Marathon life, Love Yourz | Student of the Game π | @phnxsuns.bsky.social β’ @phnxmercury.bsky.social β’ @chgo-sky.bsky.social | Illinois State π¨πΎβπ | Be Your Own Goat π ππΎ The Come Up (PHX via CHI) https://linktr.ee/StephenPridGeonGarner3
Almost that time again!
05.05.2025 16:49 β π 3 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Appreciate you!
Going to have a ton of fun detailing everything with the Mercury this season
Looking forward to talking more with you throughout the season too!
I dove into some details of where the Suns went wrong in process this season
"Where the Suns Went Wrong in 2024-25, Vol. 1" looks specifically at their three-point shooting + assists, and how/why inconsistency persisted
Tap in! β¬οΈ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtKj...
"Nipped it in the Bud"
Phoenix continues its quest for coach for the third season in a row
Me & Erik speak more on that, + plenty more regarding the Suns β going live now ππΎ @phnxsuns.bsky.social ππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRot...
Penultimate game of the season for the Suns coming up tonight, vs San Antonio
Tap in with us over at @phnxsuns.bsky.social for pregame & a preview in a few minutes
Let's get it! ππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGA...
Whew, an underwhelming season for the Suns was stamped to not have any postseason appearance last night
Who/what were the issues?
Rehash it all with us at @PHNX_Suns now ππΎ
www.youtube.com/live/5uCxXol...
Suns do not control their own destiny the rest of the way, but still need to also handle their business through the finish line for a chance at the 10th seed
They're up against an undermanned Thunder team tonight
Preview it all with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.socialππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO1y...
Suns-Dubs coming up tonight
Can the Suns steal a (much, much, much-needed..) one against one of the leagues elite?
Preview it with us over at @phnxsuns.bsky.social shortly ππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIAK...
I asked Mike Budenholzer about if their formula for success shifts when they're without some of their top-level talents, or if it remains mostly the same
"The philosophical approach, a lot of it stays the same. Guys just gotta go play basketball & make good plays on both ends."
I asked Devin Booker about the delicate balance of wearing the scorer & playmaker hats, & where he feels he is in that:
"Sometimes I watch a game back & feel like I could've been more aggressive, sometimes I feel like I took bad shots & had people open β it's all a feel"
When it rains, it pours
Durant's greatness has often been an umbrella to help the Suns navigate things this season
With him out for the next handful of games, what's next & what can we expect in the short-term?
We'll speak on it all at @phnxsuns.bsky.socialππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybWY...
Yikes...
Tough, tough loss for the Phoenix Suns
Tapping in for our postgame show over at @phnxsuns.bsky.social shortly ππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJiT...
Come watch Suns-Rockets live with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social ππΎ
Let's kick it!!
www.youtube.com/live/CFwH3SR...
Suns-Rockets Rd.3 incoming
Let's see what the Suns bring to the fight tonight
Preview it with us over at @phnxsuns.bsky.social in 5 minutes ππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmew...
Suns-Wolves Rd. 4 coming at the top of the hour
Gotta have it type of scenario fkr the Suns, which also comes with the challenge of being on the road for them
Preview it with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social ππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=piw8...
Primetime matchup for the Suns with the Celtics in-store tonight
Can the Suns push their win streak to 5?
A win means a leap to the **checks standings** 9th seed for them β preview it with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social ππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_m_...
Sorting through the good & the bad of this recent stretch of play, & assessing performances of the main pieces involved
Is this all sustainable for the Suns?
Tap in with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social at the top of the hour ππΎ
youtube.com/live/K-MPBwa...
Another comparative matchup for the Suns, with the Bucks
KD vs Giannis, Budenholzer vs Bucks, Grayson Allen revenge game
Can the sustain their efforts of the past week of play? Will they have answers for Giannis?
Preview it with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social in 5 ππΎ
youtube.com/live/QNoW9St...
When you have players that can guard (in multiple contexts) get the requisite mins needed for their impact to hit, it's no surprise the stark shift seen
Their defense all season has only needed to be but *so* good, reach a certain level.. of late it's exceeded β these are signs
His ability to play & be effective in multiple defensive roles has been a positive shock to the Suns (much) better balanced lineups
The ability to guard up, be active with help, defend at points of attack, & his multiple efforts have greatly aided the shift that's taken place
Cody Martin in 4 games since entering the Suns rotation (67 mins):
β’ 19 reb (5th)
β’ 8 stl (1st)
β’ 3 blk (3rd)
β’ 9 deflections (1st)
β’ 2 charges drawn (1st)
β’ 5 loose ball recoveries (1st)
Small sample, but Phoenix has a 93.1 defensive rating when he's on β instant impact
He's grown vs doubles β mixing quick decisions, attacks on leverage, & flattening a double to then stretch the other 3 defenders with his passes, creating more advantage for the 4v3
His processing & anticipation is quicker, as well as his court mapping
& the accuracy is better
I understand people's desires to see him score more at times
That doesn't have to (& honestly shouldn't!) undermine the playmaking growths he's showcased all season-long
The reps add up & will make him more well-rounded in the long run
Per NBA's tracking, Devin Booker leads in drives post ASB with 267, & passes via, with 131
This season he also still leads in 3-point assists (253), +25 over 2nd place
His balance of scoring drives vs probing (engaging help) has been *impactful*
His best playmaking season yet
Big-time W for the Suns
We have plenty to speak to from this one
Tap in with us! @phnxsuns.bsky.social β¬οΈ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQi5...
Suns-Cavs Rd. 2 incoming
Preview it with us over at @PHNX_Suns, tap it! β¬οΈ
youtube.com/watch?v=as26...
Joe Ingles has an autistic son who recently watched his first NBA game in an arena.
But Ingles didn't play in that game.β¨
Tonight, the Timberwolves put Ingles in the starting lineup with his son finally able to watch his dad play β€οΈ
H/T @jonkrawczynski.bsky.social
π¨ New Words π¨
The Suns have "flipped a switch" defensively in the past week
Remove opponents & assess their (new) sustained execution + what looks different in it, & you see opportunity
I dove into their switching, the Rookie Renaissance + more
Read: gophnx.com/suns-switchi...
Phoenix has turned relevant corners the last 4 games
There remains a gauntlet ahead of them through the finish line of the regular
Have they sustained enough to continue to build through the tests that are ahead of them?
Tap in with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social ππΎ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ogd...
Ryan Dunn's at 43% on 14 attempts since returning to the main rotation
The point of growth continues to be the confidence on the catch for him β seldomly do you see him in the catch & hold scenarios, he's made the quick decisions (shoot/pass/drive) a habit & that's a major positive