Locked On Suns - Daily Podcast On The Phoenix Suns

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/15/2020: Suns now have to play catch-up during defining stretch after loss in Atlanta Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

As the Phoenix Suns’ 2019-20 season continues to be a rollercoaster, Tuesday night in Atlanta was the latest free fall on the ride. Losing by 13 points on the road to a team with fewer than 10 wins is simply inexcusable, especially during a stretch of games where ground needs to be made up in the playoff race.

Devin Booker's 39 points, plus Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton providing solid performances, Phoenix was dormant on the offensive end. Meanwhile, Trae Young and Kevin Huerter were lights out for the Hawks, and a poor performance from Kelly Oubre Jr. made it hard for the Suns to keep pace.

We run through our usual Free Throws, Flagrant Fouls, and Stats to Watch as the Suns blew yet another opportunity right in front of them.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/14/2020: Another Ayton check-in, buying Oubre’s long-term stock, and the race for the eighth seed out West Jan 13, 2020

Show notes

We explore how Deandre Ayton has done in the first seven games since his return from a suspension then ankle sprain. Currently coming off the bench, Ayton is close to an increased role soon. What should our expectations for him over the final half of the season?

Kelly Oubre Jr. has been playing the best basketball of his career over the last few weeks as a consistent 20-point scorer and consistent defender. Can Oubre take another leap in his game soon enough to make him an even more formidable two-way wing?

Finally, we run through the playoff race as the Suns are in a tight battle alongside Memphis, San Antonio, Portland, and others. These next seven games will be very important in seeing if this squad is truly playoff-caliber or not.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/13/2020: Suns regain momentum with weekend sweep of Magic, Hornets Jan 12, 2020

Show notes

Even though the Suns are 16-23, they are still right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Only 1.5 games behind Memphis at this moment, victories over the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets this weekend went a long way toward the Suns staying afloat during an adjustment period.

Kelly Oubre Jr. continues to look like he’s taking a leap, providing consistent two-way production. Deandre Ayton is still finding his sea legs, but this weekend was a good sign of what’s to come for the former No. 1 overall pick.

Although Devin Booker didn’t have the best weekend scoring the basketball, Phoenix still won both outings. Booker’s slump couldn’t have come at a more perfect time with Oubre and Ayton helping pick up the slack.

Finally, the Suns’ second unit continues to be a major issue. And it could lead to big offseason changes in that area, if it doesn’t improve internally.

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/10/2020: Parsing James Jones’ comments on team expectations, trade deadline, and Deandre Ayton Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

This week, we had the chance to speak to Suns GM James Jones again in an exclusive setting at Bright Side Night 2020.

Jones spoke for around 30 minutes on a multitude of topics, delving into his expectations this year, the makeup of the roster, and Deandre Ayton’s progress this season.

It sounds like Jones and Co. were caught off guard by the early 7-4 start, and we might not hear any trade chatter until right before the deadline. Also, what’s up with Deandre Ayton not shooting three-pointers? Jones, along with head coach Monty Williams, both mentioned this situation is on Ayton’s shoulders.

We break all of Jones’ comments down.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/9/2020: Jackson Frank of The Athletic introduces us to the 2020 NBA Draft class Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

Jackson Frank of The Athletic and DIME Magazine joins to give his initial thoughts on the 2020 NBA Draft, which is weak overall but stacked with players at the Suns’ positions of need.

That leads to flipping through the top play-makers in the class, including Nico Mannion, Cole Anthony and Tyrese Haliburton. Considering the Suns’ need for a point guard of the future, we discuss who fits best next to Devin Booker in Monty Williams’ system.

We close by breaking down some of the top forward prospects in the class, as it becomes increasingly clear the Suns don’t view Dario Saric as the long-term answer there. So we look at hyped players such as Precious Achiuwa and Jaden McDaniels as well as players like Obi Toppin and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, whom the Suns might value more.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @jackfrank_jjf, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/8/2020: Suns suffer epic collapse in second half against Kings; what comes next? Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

What a way to squander a victory. Somehow, someway, the Phoenix Suns are coming up with new ways of accomplishing that since their 7-4 start to the season.

This time, what about a 21-point collapse in the final 15 minutes of regulation? This is certainly a new one, which could lead to changes all around the Suns soon enough. The problems are too wide-ranging and compounding to fix with small tweaks.

Devin Booker continued his incredible scoring streak, adding his seventh consecutive 30-point night, but what’s happened to the flow of Phoenix’s offense during that stretch?

We go over all of this on our usual free throws, flagrant fouls, and stats to watch postgame from Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/7/2019: Analyzing the Suns’ big rotation changes with Gerald Bourguet Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

The Phoenix Suns have decided to embrace size in their starting unit, playing former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton as their power forward alongside Aron Baynes. What does this mean for the Suns moving forward, if this duo continues to be trotted out? And is it even a good idea? It’s all Bayton everything on today’s episode, with guest Gerald Bourguet.

Speaking of rotation changes, Dario Saric looks to be the odd man out right now. And in the final year of his contract, that shows how Phoenix likely feels about him moving forward.

We analyze possible trade options for Saric leading up to February’s trade deadline to close out the show.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/6/2019: Suns unable to capture momentum to begin homestand Jan 05, 2020

Show notes

What a disappointing end of the weekend for the Phoenix Suns. After an impressive comeback against the Knicks, that all vanished with another bad outing versus Memphis.

Monty Williams was so frustrated postgame he gave an opening statement, and then walked off.

It looks like the Aron Baynes and Deandre combination isn’t going to work long-term. We talk through the rotation changes and what it means for Dario Saric and Cam Johnson.

It’s safe to say an important stretch for the Suns right now is on the verge of being squandered away.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/3/2020: Revisiting 2019 free agency and looking ahead to 2020 for Baynes, Love and Gallinari Jan 03, 2020

Show notes

After a report from Eric Pincus at Bleacher Report signaling the Clippers’ interest in Aron Baynes ahead of the February trade deadline, we explore the Suns’ growing trade possibilities this season.

While it’s unlikely the Suns part ways with Baynes any time soon, they certainly should be active. Kevin Love isn’t much of a fit with what the Suns need right now, but Danilo Gallinari’s defensive versatility and shot creation could be a big lift, if the Suns are willing to give up a first-round pick.

We close the show by looking at a slew of 2019 free agents that the Suns were reportedly interested in and whether they were right or wrong to pass them by.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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LOCKED ON SUNS 1/2/2020: Late rally not enough as Ricky Rubio gets hurt and Suns lose to Lakers Jan 01, 2020

Show notes

Brendon goes solo to recap an up-and-down loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles. After a miserable first half, the Suns dominated the final 24 minutes but missed threes and an injury to Ricky Rubio prevented them from finishing off the comeback.

Brendon breaks down the strong play and aggressive energy from Deandre Ayton and Tyler Johnson down the stretch and what it could mean going forward.

Finally, more on why the Lakers are such a bad matchup for the Suns and how LeBron James got his triple-double to close out the show.

Follow on Twitter: @LockedOnPHXSuns, @esidery, @BrendonKleen14

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