Locked On Suns - Daily Podcast On The Phoenix Suns

Latest Episodes:

LOCKED ON SUNS 1/1/2020: KAT trade talk, an up-and-down December, plus Devin Booker’s All-Star chances Jan 01, 2020

Show notes

Is Karl-Anthony Towns about to set a new precedent for today’s NBA player empowerment movement? There’s lots of smoke around Towns being unhappy now in Minnesota during the first season of his five-year max extension. If he does indeed ask out sometime soon, will the Suns pounce on the opportunity?

Meanwhile, how about that rocky December for Phoenix? Finishing 5-10 on the month, what were the biggest takeaways?

We finish up talking about the chances Devin Booker makes his first All-Star appearance in 2020. Booker's team is improved, plus his numbers have maintained with even higher efficiency. Who are Booker's biggest competitors for a reserve spot?

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/31/2019: Suns send a statement with 19-point comeback victory over Trail Blazers Dec 31, 2019

Show notes

Well, that’s one way to pull off an important victory. After trailing 38-19 at the end of the first quarter, the Suns went on to outscore Portland the next three stanzas thanks to strong performances across the board.

Devin Booker continued to prove he’s back to his old self with another high-scoring, efficient outing while Kelly Oubre Jr. stepped up as the Suns’ 1B option behind their $158 million man.

Meanwhile, Dario Saric had another poor outing. Could we see more small-ball incoming, maybe even Mikal Bridges taking Saric’s starting spot eventually if these types of duds continue?

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/30/2019: Recapping a rollercoaster back-to-back in Northern Cal Dec 29, 2019

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What an eventful weekend back-to-back that was for the Phoenix Suns, right?

After a chaotic loss against the Warriors, Phoenix snapped their skid in Sacramento the next night thanks to Harrison Barnes missing a wide-open three-pointer.

Devin Booker seems to be figuring out when to flip the aggressive switch, while the Suns overall continue to struggle in clutch situations.

We break down everything we saw during the back to back this weekend.

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/27/2019: Twitter mailbag on backup PG targets, the 2020 NBA Draft, to tank or not to tank, and Dario Saric Dec 28, 2019

Show notes

We fired up the Twitter mailbag again and on today’s episode, we run through all of your questions. Hear what piques your fellow Suns fans’ interest the most right now 30 games in?

From trades to rotation discussion, we cover lots of ground in this one. Would we really consider a Deandre Ayton for Karl-Anthony Towns trade? How about an early look at the 2020 draft class, and what prospects would fit best in Phoenix?

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/23/2019: Defensive woes, Mikal Bridges struggling, and the backup PG situation Dec 23, 2019

Show notes

The Phoenix Suns are currently in a tailspin, losing their past six games. What can they do to shake out of this funk? It doesn’t get any easier closing out the month of December with top-tier opponents.

Then, we look into what’s up with Mikal Bridges? Phoenix’s second-year wing hasn’t been able to change his offensive style this year, and head coach Monty Williams seems to be getting frustrated by it as well.

Finally, we close on the backup point guard spot. Will any of Jevon Carter, Tyler Johnson, Elie Okobo or Ty Jerome cut it? If not, should the Suns explore trade options as we get closer to February’s deadline?

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/20/2019: Analyzing trade season with Jeff Siegel of Early Bird Rights Dec 20, 2019

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We are joined by the founder of Early Bird Rights, Jeff Siegel, to take a deep dive into what trade season could look like around the NBA and how Phoenix should operate.

What will the market look like for Kevin Love? The Suns have been mentioned as a possible destination, but there could be other teams more desperate to make a playoff push and take on his huge salary.

If not in a trade Love, how should Phoenix use Tyler Johnson’s expiring contract? As Siegel laid out, there are several intriguing options for Phoenix outside of Love to pursue using Johnson’s bloated salary.

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/19/2019: Checking in on where Phoenix stands in the Western Conference playoff race amid a drought Dec 18, 2019

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Following the Suns’ hot start, regression to the mean has sunk the ship a bit. However, that doesn’t mean Phoenix is nosediving to the Western Conference basement. The rest of the teams are bad enough that the Suns have stayed right in it.

They are clustered with the Thunder, Kings, Trail Blazers and Spurs for two playoff spots.

What needs to happen for Phoenix to stay afloat, and who are the contenders and pretenders in this battle for the bottom two seeds?

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/18/2019: Clippers clamp down on Suns in Deandre Ayton’s return Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

Even though the big fella was finally back, it wasn’t enough for the Suns against this Clippers juggernaut. Deandre Ayton fared well in his return with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block in only 24 minutes.

What stood out to the most to us about Ayton?

Also, Kelly Oubre Jr. was up to the challenge of going one-on-one with Paul George, providing highlight plays on both ends. Oubre is proving he can fit whatever role is asked of him within Monty Williams’ system.

Finally, as always, stick around for flagrant fouls and stats to watch to close it out. Who landed on the negative side in a 121-99 loss in Los Angeles?

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/17/2019: Melo and Dame bring Portland back from 16-point deficit to beat Suns Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

We take you inside the Suns’ 1-point loss to Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers in a game the Suns in which led by 16 at one point. Carmelo Anthony was solid throughout and Portland’s star backcourt of Lillard and CJ McCollum took over in the second half.

Without Devin Booker, the Suns were hard-pressed for points. That made Kelly Oubre Jr.’s big night, especially in the clutch, even more impressive. But inefficient games from Ricky Rubio and Mikal Bridges hurt the Suns.

The Suns dropped two games in heart-breaking fashion leading up to Deandre Ayton’s return tomorrow night in Los Angeles. Will things change soon?

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

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LOCKED ON SUNS 12/16/2019: First Trimester Report Cards, Part II Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

We finish up our annual trimester report cards looking at the first third of the Suns’ season by breaking down the performance of Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges and Aron Baynes.

The two young wings are sitting wasted on a broken bench, while Baynes has a chance to revitalize that bench when Deandre Ayton returns this week.

We discuss how Johnson can be better in small ball lineups while Bridges’ usage is a continuing concern regardless of his three-point percentage, as well as how Baynes’ defense can help him overcome regression from deep.

As always, it’s a heavy mix of stats and observations, with grades for each player. Dive in!

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

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