Monty Williams, Chris Paul reaction to LaMarcus Aldridge's abrupt retirement
3 HRS AGO - Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams, point guard Chris Paul and Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton Expand
3 HRS AGO - Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams, point guard Chris Paul and Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton discuss LaMarcus Aldridge's sudden retirement from NBA.
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Quick Recap: Suns down Kings, 122-114, for 40th win
10 HRS AGO - Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Suns now have a 10-game home winning streak, and the Expand
10 HRS AGO - Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Suns now have a 10-game home winning streak, and the second best record in the league The Phoenix Suns are only second team with 40 wins, and now stand at 40-15 on the season. They are riding a 10-game home winning streak after beating the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, 122-114.
With every win, the Suns are closer to that elusive playoff berth they’ve been hunting for a decade, and now sit just one win behind the Utah Jazz (41-14) for the best record in the whole league.
The Suns 40-15 record is their best record after 55 games since the height of the Nash/Amare/Marion days (42-13 in 2007).
In this one, the big three were big again. Devin Booker had 23 points and 4 assists, Chris Paul had 13 and 11 with 3 steals, and Deandre Ayton had a big big game with 26 points (10-11 FG, 6-6 FTs), 11 rebounds and a block. Off the bench, Jevon Carter was the player of the game with 13 points.
But the game wasn’t a runaway, despite the Kings coming Collapse
Open Thread: Suns vs Kings
14 HRS AGO - Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Your instant reaction to every Devin Booker bucket and Chris Expand
14 HRS AGO - Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Your instant reaction to every Devin Booker bucket and Chris Paul assist, here please!
Suns.
Kings.
Let’s go! Collapse
Suns, FanDuel announce partnership after state legalizes wagering in Arizona; sportsbook planned for arena
19 HRS AGO - FanDuel becomes official sportsbook and daily fantasy sports partner for the Suns as it'll open Expand
19 HRS AGO - FanDuel becomes official sportsbook and daily fantasy sports partner for the Suns as it'll open sportsbook retail location inside Phoenix Suns Arena.
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It’s time to shred the old narrative: Devin Booker can play defense
1 DAY AGO - Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Things constantly change in the NBA, yet narratives rarely Expand
1 DAY AGO - Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Things constantly change in the NBA, yet narratives rarely do. It’s time to give Booker his due for the defensive progress he’s made. Let’s start this thing out with the guns blazing.
I hereby declare that most defensive metrics are garbage, and anyone that uses them alone to make conclusions about individual players usually have an agenda they are pushing or leave out a lot of valuable information.
There is an infinite amount of context and situational plays that can be left out in defensive metrics. More specifically, on a play-by-play basis. For example, player A could play incredible, perfect defense and force a near impossible shot, but the opponent makes it. Other times, player A can leave their opponent wide-open after a defensive breakdown and they simply miss the shot. Along with that, defensive rotations and/or measuring responsibilities is an impossible task to translate into numbers.
There is no perfect way to measure defense, but Collapse
Moore: Are the Suns title contenders? Of course they are. Defense wins championships.
1 DAY AGO - Coaches love to say defense wins championships, and an analysis of the last 20 years of NBA Expand
1 DAY AGO - Coaches love to say defense wins championships, and an analysis of the last 20 years of NBA champions backs them up. That bodes well for the Suns.
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Can Devin Booker break the single season Suns scoring average?
1 DAY AGO - Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Chambers’ mark of 27.17 points-per-game has stood for Expand
1 DAY AGO - Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Chambers’ mark of 27.17 points-per-game has stood for 31 seasons. The end of the Phoenix Suns’ regular season is in sight. We know that on the other side of the next 18 games is the postseason, a place we have not seen since Devin Booker was a 14 year-old kid. Booker joined this team and organization with hopes of getting making them relevant once again. It has been a long road for Booker to travel to reach his first postseason game with numerous speed bumps along the way.
And numerous milestones as well.
Devin Booker is rapidly cementing himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the Phoenix Suns. His scoring ability is smooth and efficient. His jumper is clean. His ability to post up players and exploit them in the post is rare for a guard his size. He makes tough shots look easy.
Throughout his time in Phoenix has abused the record books. The list of accolades continues to grow each passing performance:
The youngest Collapse
Ayton Watch: Hot, Hot, Heat Hoopin’
2 DAYS AGO - Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Building to his game, Ayton is showing that he is the Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Building to his game, Ayton is showing that he is the center piece to the Suns success. Suns center Deandre Ayton was running on coals from offense to defense and vice-versa. Not even testing the water he was ready to play a competitive team in the Miami Heat.
During the last few games for the Phoenix Suns, Ayton has really let the game come to him and was able to show up when things started to tense up late in games. Remember when Ayton was benched in the fourth quarter earlier this year? It seems like a year ago. His play has taken a leap within the last few weeks. The base of his rim-running, put-back game is there, and now he is starting to build something big.
Heat Game
There is no better way to start the game than a “get that shit outa here” block within the first three minutes. Ayton was on the prowl early and looking to jump right in without testing the waters.
The overbite on the free-throw line was out early for Ayton, and he Collapse
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Deandre Ayton the difference for Suns in crunch time of win vs. Kings
8 HRS AGO - Deandre Ayton's improvement and consistency continued against the Kings and he was the main man Expand
8 HRS AGO - Deandre Ayton's improvement and consistency continued against the Kings and he was the main man for the Suns down the stretch. Collapse
Suns JAM Session Podcast: Suns vs. Kings Reax
11 HRS AGO - Feel free to use the comment section as a post game thread! Click the Subscribe button.
Click the Expand
11 HRS AGO - Feel free to use the comment section as a post game thread! Click the Subscribe button.
Click the bell to turn on notifications.
Watch right here! Comment below with your fellow Bright Siders!
We appreciate the opportunity to be one the official podcasts of the Bright Side of the Sun community.
Follow John (@DarthVoita), Matthew (@MatthewLissy), and the podcast (@SunsJAM) on Twitter.
Watch livestreams on the Suns JAM Session YouTube channel.
Stop by the Suns JAM Session podcast page on Facebook.
Follow the pod on Instagram (@SunsJAM).
For a print of the live-stream Suns Greats background, visit: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/63245855
The Suns JAM Session podcast is available through the Bright Side podcast network, right there in the same feed as Fanning the Flames, on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play.
If you use one of those platforms, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.
#StayHomeAndLoveYourFamily Collapse
Bad news for the Kings! Suns fan Dakoda joins Burns & Gambo
17 HRS AGO - Before Phoenix tips off against Sacramento Thursday night, Suns fan Dakoda stops by Burns & Gambo Expand
17 HRS AGO - Before Phoenix tips off against Sacramento Thursday night, Suns fan Dakoda stops by Burns & Gambo to let the Kings know just what's in store for them. Collapse
Game Preview: Kings come to town to take on the Suns
20 HRS AGO - Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Suns try to make it 40 wins on the season vs the visiting Expand
20 HRS AGO - Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Suns try to make it 40 wins on the season vs the visiting Kings. What: Sacramento Kings (22-33) at Phoenix Suns (39-15)
When: Thursday, 7:00PM AZ time
Where: Phoenix Suns Arena
Watch: Bally Sports Arizona
Listen: 98.7 FM
The Phoenix Suns look to be the second team in the league behind the Utah Jazz to reach 40 wins on the season. The Sacramento Kings are the team to stand in the way tonight, and have other plans.
During a very uneven season for the Kings, a division rival in the Suns, will give the Kings a little more vitality when the ball is tipped tonight. The Kings remember last season when both them and the Suns were on the same path with young talent and hopes for an 8th seed spot in the playoffs, but the Suns have taken off, and the Kings have had bad luck.
But, in last year’s draft, the Kings were able to grab Tyrese Haliburton, who claims he wants to be a ‘Hall-of-Famer’. He is certainly off to a great start and the Suns will get Collapse
Brooklyn Nets F LaMarcus Aldridge retires after irregular heartbeat
23 HRS AGO - LaMarcus Aldridge retired from the NBA on Thursday after saying he experienced an irregular Expand
23 HRS AGO - LaMarcus Aldridge retired from the NBA on Thursday after saying he experienced an irregular heartbeat during his final game with the Brooklyn Nets. Collapse
Phoenix Suns: Revisiting back-to-back home wins, ahead to final matchup vs. Kings
1 DAY AGO - Going 9-1 in its last 10 games, Phoenix continues a five-game homestand Thursday night against Expand
1 DAY AGO - Going 9-1 in its last 10 games, Phoenix continues a five-game homestand Thursday night against Sacramento.
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Not yet': ESPN's Stephen A. Smith doesn't view Suns as title contenders despite NBA's second-best record
1 DAY AGO - ESPN's Stephen A. Smith says the Suns are "a piece away" from being title contenders, but doesn't Expand
1 DAY AGO - ESPN's Stephen A. Smith says the Suns are "a piece away" from being title contenders, but doesn't say what that piece is. Suns Insider Duane Rankin addresses that.
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TPC Scottsdale plans sportsbook after Arizona passes gambling bill
1 DAY AGO - The PGA TOUR and DraftKings announced they will expand into Arizona's sports betting space to Expand
1 DAY AGO - The PGA TOUR and DraftKings announced they will expand into Arizona's sports betting space to operate a retail sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale. Collapse
NBA roundtable: Who deserves more attention as serious championship contenders?
2 DAYS AGO - Both Utah and Phoenix are having a breakout regular season. But is either team capable of making Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Both Utah and Phoenix are having a breakout regular season. But is either team capable of making the jump to serious title contender?
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Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker lead surging Phoenix Suns past slumping Sacramento Kings
10 HRS AGO - Phoenix has won 10 of its last 11 games after beating Sacramento Thursday at Phoenix Suns Arena as Expand
10 HRS AGO - Phoenix has won 10 of its last 11 games after beating Sacramento Thursday at Phoenix Suns Arena as Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker combined for 49 points.
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Photos: Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings
11 HRS AGO - Photos: Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings
Suns, FanDuel partner up after legalization of fantasy sports, sports wagering in Arizona
19 HRS AGO - Suns and FanDuel agree to multi-year partnership after Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation Expand
19 HRS AGO - Suns and FanDuel agree to multi-year partnership after Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation legalizing fantasy sports and sports wagering in Arizona.
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Suns, FanDuel to open sportsbook as Arizona legalizes sports gambling
20 HRS AGO - The Phoenix Suns and gambling service FanDuel announced the team's downtown home will open an Expand
20 HRS AGO - The Phoenix Suns and gambling service FanDuel announced the team's downtown home will open an on-site luxury sportsbook by the start of the 2021-22 season. Collapse
Locked On Suns Thursday: Chris Paul’s impact (and future) plus Suns playoff optimism with Nekias Duncan
23 HRS AGO - What’s up with Chris Paul plus why the Phoenix Suns could be a real threat in the NBA’s Western Expand
23 HRS AGO - What’s up with Chris Paul plus why the Phoenix Suns could be a real threat in the NBA’s Western Conference. Nekias Duncan of Basketball News joins the show to discuss his recent article on the impact of Chris Paul on the Phoenix Suns this season as well as Paul’s free agency decision and how it could help the Suns continue to build out a championship roster. We close by discussing potential Suns playoff matchups, what we learned from the Jazz/Clippers back to back last week, and why Nekias is so bullish on the Suns in the postseason.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify!
Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14, @NekiasNBA Collapse
Suns’ Deandre Ayton undergoing a quantum leap of progress in 2021
1 DAY AGO - Deandre Ayton is playing loud. His critics have grown quiet. He is proving that passive, playful Expand
1 DAY AGO - Deandre Ayton is playing loud. His critics have grown quiet. He is proving that passive, playful puppies can learn how to bite, after all. Collapse
Locked On Suns Wednesday: Suns blow out Miami thanks to huge bench performance led by the Cams
1 DAY AGO - Cam Payne and Cam Johnson led the Phoenix Suns to a blowout win over the Miami Heat. After a Expand
1 DAY AGO - Cam Payne and Cam Johnson led the Phoenix Suns to a blowout win over the Miami Heat. After a 106-86 beatdown of the reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, we break down everything that went into another Suns’ win, including a huge bench performance led by Cam Johnson and Cam Payne, as well as the continued confidence of Deandre Ayton. To close, a look at why the Suns’ playoff rotation looks to be getting bigger and Jevon Carter playing like he’s in the Bubble again.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify!
Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @BrendonKleen14 Collapse
SB Nation Reacts: Health should be major factor in awards, and more Booker like (not love)
2 DAYS AGO - Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Suns and national NBA fans weigh in Welcome to SB Nation Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Suns and national NBA fans weigh in Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in Phoenix Suns fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.
According to the most recent SB Nation Reacts survey, a full 100 percent of responding Suns fans are confident the team is headed in the right direction. That level of confidence has held steady for the last two months.
In addition to a push for the playoffs, NBA players are jockeying for position in the awards races. This year more than most, health has become a major factor in deciding who deserves to win awards like the MVP and Rookie of the Year.
According to a vast majority of fans, being able to stay healthy and be available should be a major factor in deciding awards.
No matter the stars currently on the roster, NBA teams are always looking to add the next young superstar. There Collapse
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