Phoenix Suns Already Setting CULTURE At Summer League Camp, Plus the Final Two-Way Slot Is Filled

Phoenix Suns Already Setting CULTURE At Summer League Camp, Plus the Final Two-Way Slot Is Filled

Today on locked on Phoenix Suns, the media comments, the press availabilities for the NBA summer league, recapping the offseason. It’s all coming. We’re hearing from the people who make up the Phoenix Suns. We’ll talk about one set of comments we totally believe and one a little less. Let’s go. You are Locked On Suns, your daily Phoenix Suns podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network. Your team every day. Welcome back in to Locked on Phoenix Suns. I’m Brennan Clean, a staff writer at Awful Announcing and a credentialed Suns Media member. Thank you for making Locked on Suns first listen here on this Wednesday. Don’t forget Lockdown Suns is free and available on all platforms including YouTube. So click that follow or subscribe button. Do it. thousands of other Suns fans have already done. Become an everyday. Get locked on to the Phoenix Suns right here each and every day. Today’s episode brought to you by Monarch Money. Take control of your finances right now with Monarch Money. Use the code locked on NBA at monarchmoney.com to try it out for yourself and get 50% off your first year. More from them later on in the show. We’ve got news to hit and some comments to dissect and decipher. for joining me to do it as always from the wonderful West Valley. My fellow Suns Credential media member, how are we feeling, Ben Garcia? What’s up, man? I’m doing good. Uh, more stuff to kind of react to. Brian Gregory giving some media availability last night, although didn’t give us the juicy details regarding Bradley Beal. We can settle for some of the things that he did talk about. Yeah, I thought it was interesting that he was so I mean, of course, you kind of have to say it, but he seemed genuinely pleased with the trade that the Suns got back for Kevin Durant. And of course, we’ve seen how they’ve gotten to work since then. So, they seem pretty happy. They seem content. They’re building a roster that I think they envisioned and it is about to at least a lot of the players from it get onto the court this upcoming weekend in Las Vegas. And we’ll see how that looks and cover it right here on the show. But let’s start with the comments you did like from uh Gregory and I believe some of the players as well. Ben, tell us what you’re liking from this first slate of comments we’ve heard this week. Well, it seems like for the first time the Suns are pretty confident in what they have and it’s not just we have star power. It’s them actually giving cohesive thoughts about this is what we’re trying to build. The fact that, you know, Ryan Ryan Dunn bringing out that he likes uh that Brian Gregory is building dogs. And the fact that Ryan Dunn is saying that and not Brian Gregory, it leads me to believe that the players are buying into that culture, too. Like maybe it’s no shade at other players if you’re Ryan Dunn. But you’re like, I got Grayson Allen off the bench to kind of hit a three, but also, you know, be spunky on defense and same with Dylan Brooks pushing guys around. Like we are protecting our players now. Like the Suns are building a culture and for the first time in the Matt Ishbia ownership. It’s not because we have more star power than you. We have the big three. We’re not going to get a point guard because we want to put the ball in those guys’ hands. It feels like they’re actually building an X’s and O’s uh culture around this team regarding what type of players they want. And we’ve seen that consistently. So that’s the biggest thing I really like and I took from it. But what about you? Well, Gregory mentioned it too and and it’s funny like this this time of year, you know, summer league specifically and I think probably training camp in a little bit too will are these times where his the college coach really comes out of him in a way that’s not that’s actually good. You know, like he he seemed like a a little kid on Christmas talking about the level of intensity and physicality in these first few practices and I think that that’s a really good sign. I mean at nothing if nothing else like you know it’s a meme and we all know that at this point but like they the alignment part of it is is definitely there like they had a vision and they’re putting it together. All the players still have to play well and click and develop and and get chemistry and and everything else but the vision is here. Um, the other thing I would say uh kind of along these lines, a little different maybe though is I’ve just been so impressed by common malawatch uh his comments. Good point, man. And it’s not exactly the, you know, y rahrh dog, you know, physicality stuff, but it’s just this head on his shoulders that’s insane for being 18 years old. like not just the, you know, personal story where he started playing basketball late, obviously came from uh South Sudan and came over to Duke and all those types of things. But even just the self-awareness of himself as a player, I think has been crazy. That’s like a big thing I I watch for when I’m looking at any kind of young player, but especially basketball, because in theory, uh basketball player can do anything. They don’t play a position that they do, but you know, they could think of themselves as much more than that. I love when guys are just so locked into what their role is going to be. And I think Malawatch has been that 100%. You know, I’m going to be good on That’s a good point, man. I’m going to grow on these things. It’s all been really, really good to hear. In any sport, it doesn’t matter what it is, in any team. Uh the first thing you can kind of see in a roster of dysfunction is like if they’re just accumulating talent and not good people. You know, we’ve seen this talked about like with the Cardinals or like with the Diamondbacks, but now it’s kind of approached the Suns too where they’re not just worried about their player. They’re also spectacular head on his shoulder. Oso Igadaro is a like low it feels like bring the temperature down in the room kind of guy. Seems like he gets along with like Colin Gillespie and Ryan Dunn as well. Yesterday they’re at the press conference. They were at Jordan press conference a couple of weeks ago and they followed that up with come on Malawatch who I think it’s because of his journey like of why he he had to grow up a lot quickly or a lot quicker whereas like me in you know the life that I lived I would say is a little probably a lot easier than what Kamala watch had to grow up on and so we had to mature a lot quicker and same with Rashe Fleming he’s an older guy St. Joe’s uh kind of, you know, had to work on his game a little bit tougher of a road to get to the NBA. Like, I appreciate that the that the Suns are bringing in not only highlevel players, but guys who they know they don’t have to worry about at 2:30 in the morning because they were going 300 miles hour on the freeway. Like, that is not a little thing. And it translates to the locker room. much different than the Ryan Mcdana era for sure where there were a lot of those guys that were brought in that had some off-c court questions whether that’s Tyler Ulis or you know Mary’s Chris Jackson etc. So definitely a a good thing to be able to build if you can and Fleming yeah that dude was one of those guys on draft night where the interview that he gave he was like legitimately shocked he was drafted like obviously we all knew he would be drafted but you can just tell with certain guys like that moment is hitting them all the work that they put in. So certainly a testament on his side as well. But let’s get to the thing that maybe you were a little more skeptical on, which was a more basketball focused answer from Brian Gregory regarding the fit of Booker and Jaylen Green together. He was asked how they’re going to fit, especially in contrast to what we just saw with Booker and Beal not fit so well, right? He said, quote, “I think there’s a speed factor that’s being played in the NBA right now. Both Green and Booker are great with the ball. they can play off each other when either one doesn’t have the ball. He said that our style of play, the Sun’s style of play at a faster pace with better movement is going to open the court up for both of them. He later went on to talk about, you know, being able to force turnovers if they’re starting their possessions with, you know, good defense. That’s just going to create an open floor for both guys. And he talked about, Ben, the the need that he sees for this roster to be a lot better attacking the basket offensively. and he kind of went through how he sees that happening. You know, of course, very basketball person speak of there’s three ways to do it. You can drive, you can cut, or you you know what I mean? But I think that they clearly see the the downhill scoring ability of Jaylen Green as one of the best elements, if not the best element of what he’s going to bring to this team. And they seem pretty dedicated and determined to opening those opportunities up for him. Uh, but it sounds like when you heard that you might have been a little skeptical. I mean, I rolled my eyes. It was the type of rolling your eyes where it’s like, I understand why you have to say it, but I don’t really like that you have to. Like, we can both live with that. It was reported by numerous people out here in Phoenix that the Suns were looking to find a third team for Jaylen Green. So, I understand that the Suns are saying, you know, pomp and thrill and we love Jaylen Green. It’s like no matter who the who the Phoenix Suns drafted with the 10th overall pick, they were always going to say, we got our guy. This was our first option. They’re never going to say it’s our third or fourth option. We know about the struggles with Jaylen Green. Some nights he is going to drop 30 points. And most nights he’s going to get his 20 points, but maybe not as efficient as you’d like, especially shooting the ball. So, I agree. He didn’t necessarily lie about getting to the rack, becoming more athletic, playing with pace. All things that you and I have talked about, but the fit we’ve worried about with Booker for a little bit. How is the no you your turn, no my turn, no kick out to Jaylen Green, have him be a sh a a shooter. Uh is Jaylen Green going to be an effective passer finding Deon? like there are those worries, but they cannot lie to me and tell me that they’re so excited about having Jaylen Green here and the potential backcourt duo of these two guys when we know that that’s not the case. So, I understand it. I understand why they said it. They’re going to stand by their guy, but it’s like the additive of don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining. You know what I mean? For sure. For sure. Uh and I think we’re both a little bit skeptical of the fit and I think a lot of Suns fans are. It’s going to require a big adaptation by Jaylen Green. There’s no way around that. I’ll just say the one thing I’m a little bit skeptical of here as well is playing Jaylen Green with so many other players, at least as as far as what the roster looks like right now, that can’t shoot great aside from him, isn’t necessarily going to create those openings for him to get to the basket. And I I I hope that they find workarounds there. Um, but at the same time, you know, we talk about his three-point shooting being being hit or miss. He shot 41% on catch and shoot threes last year. Previous season, uh, I believe was was similar from when I looked at it before. And so, you know, okay, not similar. He was 32%. So, you know, that that that if that can hit, that’s a big element of it. I am I have thought about that, you know, the them shopping him as as part of expanding that trade. Although of course it became seven teams eventually it been because I wonder if there was no bites or if they were just pretty poultry, right? Like and I’d be curious to know what if any the offers actually were because that would put into perspective a little bit more how much they actually value him, right? If there were zero offers and they’re stuck with him, that’s different. If a couple teams said, “Hey, we’ll send you, you know, a a bad second round pick and this random player we don’t really love.” Okay, that kind of changes things. Who’s the player? What’s the pick? You know what I mean? So, I think that they probably believe in him to a degree. They at least believe in him enough to make his trade value go up, right? Because even if they don’t keep him long term, they’re going to have to help him improve in order to be somebody that other teams want more in the future than they do right now. So, I can see your skepticism, but I guess I am open to the possibility that things could improve in time. And I think some of what Gregory said is going to be a big part of how they do it. Let’s get to another recent move that embodies the identity that the Suns want to build and the problems trickling off of that with the coaching staff. Next. First, today’s show is brought to you by Monarch Money. Do you ever wish managing your money felt easier? With all we all do, but with Monarch Money, it can’t. Whether you’re growing your savings or planning a big purchase, Monarch Money puts you in the driver’s seat. It’s like having your own personal CFO, giving you full visibility and control over your finances. Monarch Money is more than a budgeting app. It’s complete financial command center. Track all your accounts, investments, and spending in one place. So, in addition to managing your money, you’re also building wealth. Look, Monarch knows, I know, we all know. Everybody has their little ways of doing this stuff. It just doesn’t always add up to something that actually is productive or helpful. It’s like a pad of paper, a spreadsheet over there, some random, you know, conversation you try to remember with your partner or your parents or your family or whatever it might be. But Monarch Money allows you to take control of your finances all in one place. Plan, budget, check things, keep up with yourself, and don’t lose track of those goals. So take control of those finances with Monarch Money. Use the code locked on NBA monarchoney.com for 50% off your first year. That’s monarchmoney.com code lockdown NBA for half off your first year. All right, Ben, let’s keep it rolling here. So Deamar Carroll will be the head coach of the summer league team. I think we may have discussed that briefly um when we discussed Dunn and Oso being named to the team on Tuesday’s show, but I don’t think we did. I think it’s a great move either way. I mean, I think, you know, he is kind of he he jumped pretty quickly into the coaching ranks after a career that we all remember as a as a really good role player. And he’s a player development guy. And I think being able to to grab an upand cominging, you know, hot shot player development dude is a really good grab for the Suns staff. Now, I I don’t really know if he’s the right decision for summer league. I mean, a lot of that stuff doesn’t really matter, but I like him being on this staff regardless of this summer. I like him being next to a on a young team that needs to get better and as we were just talking about is trying to build a bunch of Deari Carols. Yep. Yep. Um, the reason why, you know, you just kind of briefly mentioned just like, you know, I’m not sure if he’s the right pick for the summer league head coach. I do think he kind of is like in a way I think you want a head coach to be your summer league head coach is because you’re working with a bunch of young guys. Both of you guys are trying to find a mutual interest of moving up and so I find that relationship a little bit easier. Whereas like if you have some old guy who’s, you know, already done a couple years of assistant coaching, I think if you stick him in with the summer league roster, a younger guy, former player who, by the way, was a not a shooter at all for the first like five years of his career and then kind of learn to develop a jump shot, that extra relationship to add for guys like Brian Dunn to connect to him and for those guys to know he’s trying to build up his career or your career to help build up his career. Like there’s a mutual interest there. That’s true. But I think but but what I think is more interesting is that the Suns didn’t just go from roster spot one to 15 building, you know, the dog type of guys that Ryan Dunn kind of talked about in the press release or in the media availability yesterday. But toughness, right? And where does that start? You can’t just have it on, you know, as a as a poster in a in a locker room. Like you have to build this in from the inside out. And so the fact that they have someone that I believe like exudes a a a toughness and that kind of nature I think is perfect for the summer league and that’s what they’re trying to build. Man, if this team could have 15 Deari Carols now, obviously with varying skill, it’s exactly what they would do. So I like the pick and I like them getting a guy of the mold of the player that they’re trying to become in the regular Phoenix Suns team. What about you, man? Yeah, I think that we covered it on him. I mean, let’s just jump to the other uh aspect of the coaching staff, the rest of the staff, because that’s been I think a little less easygoing. Like, you know, Carol had the relationship from Bud’s coaching tree, obviously. So, you know, coached, helped was part of the staff when Carol played in Atlanta. than they both were on the past two years in LA and then in Cleveland together. But as a kind of alluded to in his press conference, he the fact that not a lot of other teams changed coaches, especially not during the actual off season where like Memphis and Sacramento and Denver did it in season, but you know, then New York ended up doing it after the press conference where said that, but there weren’t a lot of people available. there weren’t a lot of coaches that changed um seats, right? So that means even the lower level guys are just planted in their same roles and you’re kind of seeing that that come to fruition in a in a way that you know isn’t great for Jordan in his first season leading a team where they’re keeping Shaison Allen who was a G-League dude that uh you know was in Milwaukee’s G-League team while Bud was there. He came over last year. He’s going to stay. They’re going to keep um Brian Randall, although I guess I shouldn’t say keep. They’re going to bring him back from when Monty was here a couple of years back. And then they’re, you know, bringing on Carol. And I think there’s one other hire that I’m going to try to find while you’re while you take it from here. Um, but they’re still really looking for, I think, an experienced former head coach, preferably like we’ve seen with guys like JJ Reic and Joe Missoula and others who have gotten hired at a young age with limited experience to kind of just calm the waters, be a steadying presence who’s been there and done that. That’s a really big hole in this staff that I I hope they can find a way to to fill, but that’s easier said than done. there’s not a lot of candidates out there. It’s a gigantic hole in the staff because on one here here here’s the problem with having an inexperienced head coach the first time he’s head coaching a team in the NBA is his connections like yes he has a ton of connections but he doesn’t have them to the extent of like hey come over here and be our number one assistant because you’ll have room to grow who knows you you get sent off somewhere else like I don’t I don’t really think that’s going to be the case with Jordan and we’ve talked about or or at least you know the some of the guys that might get that spot. We’ve seen Darvin Ham, but it seems the person that’s being heavily considered for that position is Steven Silus. And again, that shows the uh according to Gambo. Yeah. Yeah. According to Gambo, that would that’s the immaturity of Jordan as coaching tree is there’s just not a lot there. And you know, I look at someone like Steven Silus, like that could be a huge black hole in the Sun’s number one assistant coach because Steven Silus, Houston Rockets, it didn’t go well. you had mentioned to me pre-show he was on the staff for the Detroit Pistons who lost like 500 games in a row. He doesn’t have a great track record and so building a staff it’s already kind of concerning that I think it’s taking this long to have all the guys filled out. It feels like this would have already kind of been contingent on Jordan getting the job. This is kind of what happens. But this is what happens when you take inexperienced man. you bring in a coach who doesn’t have that many connections and you might have to deal with the fact that Steven Silas or you know Daringham I think is a lot better than Steven Silas, but one of those guys is your uh lead assistant. So it’s worrisome, man. It is. It is. And and like I’ve seen some positivity from some corners of maybe Suns fans or just people, you know, NBA fans who were like, “Oh, well that makes sense. Silus coached Jaylen Green.” Well, yeah. And it went terribly. So, I appreciate that they have a relationship, but you know, get me somebody who has a relationship with Devin Booker or, you know, common Malawatch for that matter. You know, having coached Jaylen Green at a point in his career that was really troubling is not a great sign of your candidacy in my opinion. We did hear from Jake Fischer and Mark Stein over at their newsletter that the Suns have expressed interest in Ham, but he has a job right now. He’s the lead assistant in Milwaukee under Doc. So, it’s not like he’s up on the market for uh you know to be hired at the top dollar. It’s you got to convince him to leave. I mean, I know Milwaukee is not a great situation, but coaches don’t typically do that. Well, um Go ahead. I just Sorry, I don’t mean to cut you off. I I mean, is it not like Neither one might not be a great situation, but I could see Doc Rivers getting fired in the middle of the season much more quicker than I see Jordan not getting fired in the middle of the season. So if that’s the case, wouldn’t he get the job? Exactly. That’s what I’m saying is why the is why the Bucks position is better than the Suns position of like maybe he has aspirations of being a head coach again. And if that’s the case, Milwaukee Bucks is a better job because I I could see, you know, doc, you know, maybe not because they’re hire, you know, they’re they have five head coaches on the payroll right now. But Mhm. I that’s kind of the point of like you were just making of like the differencing between Darvin Ham and Steven Silas is the Grand Canyon. Here’s the only here’s the only thing that I would say maybe Stephen Silas, although he doesn’t have a great track record, is better as the head assistant coach than he is as the head coach. Like all of your uh uh abnormalities and and issues get magnified when you’re the head coach. Maybe when he’s the assistant guy, he is better at that. But overall, like once upon a time, yeah, once upon a time, he was a really hot shot. You know, he was in uh Charlotte under Steve Clifford for a ton of years and that’s when he started to make a name for himself. Then he went to Dallas right at the beginning of Luca’s career and in through the bubble and then of course got the Houston job. So, you know, it’s not like he is some nobody, but you know, it’s not it it wouldn’t make me feel great that he’s that he’s the expertise on the staff given that he didn’t have a great run doing the thing that wants to learn about, you know. Um, the last thing I want to throw out though, just for the sake of kind of, you know, end of a segment imagin imagination. Taylor Jenkins was of course from the bud coaching tree once upon a time as well. And I I would imagine he almost got the Knicks job. He probably will be at the top of a lot of teams list whenever the next opening comes up. But I would imagine that Jordan Kn has probably called Taylor Jenkins to say, “Hey, could you just come? Maybe it’s just for one season. I get that. But could you just do me the favor? Matt will pay you well. Please come to Phoenix for a season. You know, I I’m I would be shocked if that conversation hasn’t happened, especially now that Jenkins didn’t get that Knicks job and actually is without a job. He’s still getting paid by Memphis probably, but like he doesn’t have anywhere to work and why not come here. Yeah, I think Taylor Jenkins would be a slam dunk, especially for a culture setter and a guy that when I think of uh like a coaching style, I think tough as nails and that’s what the Suns are trying to do. So, I would totally agree with you. Taylor Jenkins would be awesome and it’s a good pull by you. Mhm. I think it even is a little probably more perfect because it is probably just a one-year thing and after one year once more coaching you know guys get fired might be a little bit easier to find that head coaching assistant that you might need next year. So it might benefit both well for both parties. But yeah, Taylor Jenkins will be a slam dunk. I think that’s a perfect guy especially if you’re trying to establish a culture. One of the things I worry about with Darvin Ham is when I see Darvin Ham, I don’t think of tough, gritty. I think of Oh, really? That’s exact. I think No, I think that’s his reputation. I mean, he dating back to being a player. I think that’s that’s almost like the bad part of him for some people is he’s he he wears on them. That’s what I think we heard in in LA. Well, oh, okay. So, maybe we have conflicting opinions about that. I think part of what happened with with Darvin Ham as well is I think he was a little too mildmannered in terms of like hands and pockets head coach. Easy easy adjustments that could easy adjustments that could have been made. When I think of like personality toughness, I think of Taylor Jenkins. Although you go back to those Brooklyn years, I do understand what you mean by like physicality coaching style. Continue. All right, let’s get to the last bit of news. Isaiah Livers getting the Sun’s second two-way contract. Typically, we don’t break down every single little two-way player. We haven’t done a deep dive on CJ Huntley or anything, but I think this one is interesting in the type of scouting wild card that the Suns continue to make. We’ll talk about what he brings to the table next. All right, closing out the show. Three two-way contracts for each NBA team. The Suns have now filled their third and final slot. One of them went to Kobe Bray, the 41st overall pick in the NBA draft. The other one went to CJ Huntley, who I just mentioned heading into the segment from App State, who they nabbed on draft night, or night two of the draft, I guess I should say. And now Isaiah Livers will be the third. Clearly a pattern there, Ben. uh big guys who can shoot the ball a little bit and bring positional size for what they’re doing on an NBA court. I will also say that Livers has been one of my like, you know, I spend too much time thinking about the NBA crushes as a player for a bit. No, I’m not lying. I have a story. I’m sure I I don’t know if I’ve ever said it on Twitter. Maybe I can search myself to see, but I went to I visited my friend shortly after he moved to New York City. uh one of my best friends in the in November of 2022. Okay. And that’s the one season that Livers has basically had in the NBA where he actually played well. And I it was Knicks Pistons. Terrible game. The Knicks were mediocre that year and the Pistons were atrocious. But Livers was like the one bright spot of that game. And I remember thinking, “Huh, that dude’s interesting.” Like just one of those random games you watch, you’re like, “Okay, that guy was kind of impressive, whatever.” And then lo and behold, I saw the Shamu pop up and here he is. is I I think he he definitely fits the mold of the type of player the Suns have been targeting. And if he can recover from this hip surgery that took him out of all of last season, I think he’s more than worthy of a flyer. Still hasn’t quite hit his prime and 68 can shoot the ball. I Why not? I think it’s a great I think it’s a great chance to take on a player we’ve already seen play in the NBA and do a decent job. Yeah. I kind of wish So, just so we’re clear, like I’ll get to my opinion just a second. I immediately wanted to call BS on what you were saying. went to your Twitter account, searched up just Isaiah Livers from November 2020 from Nove from November 25th, 2022, 8:51 p.m. I’m assuming that’s the game you’re talking about. Yeah, quote Isaiah liver I quote Isaiah Livers is good. You’re freaking sick up, dude. There you go. I told you. I’m glad I tweeted it. I’m glad that I was obsessed with, you know, Twitter enough to document that. Dude, you’re a freaking sicko, man. This is why people come to locked on Phoenix Suns. They come for my outrageous takes and opinions at times, and they come for your just ridiculous dig or uh consumption of the NBA. Um C just to my opinion, Isaiah Livers, like I I see it both ways. I wish they would have maybe done a little bit more of a better job going into like undrafted NBA free agent guys, but they already kind of have those guys and Kobe Brea and CJ Huntley. I just, you know, I want more. I think bringing in an experienced player who is again big and can shoot the ball decently. Like I don’t want to say amazing because he hasn’t played a ton, but like shoot the ball decently. It’s perfect for a night in Atlanta when you have a ton of injuries and you need to call someone up from the G-League and you give them a shot and you’re like, “Hey, this kid can play and you can never have too many bigbodied, tall players on this team where we continue to talk about size, size, size dominating the NBA.” So, although I I I wish they would take another gamble on an undrafted free agent guy because those guys are gold. If you can hit on them, if you can hit on Isaiah Liver too, a guy that’s 26 years old, hasn’t in his prime, you’re right. I would agree with you. I would agree that it’s a good find. I just I’m a sicko for like wanting to go get more free agent guys, but Isaiah Livers is good. Photographic evidence. There it is. You need to quote tweet that as soon as this show is over. I did already. Um yeah, and what’s you want to hear? The most the most disgusting part of it, Ben. So, he played 30 minutes in this game. Three of seven from the field for seven points. And I still was like, he’s good. Sometimes you just know. And I don’t even know because he hasn’t done anything in the NBA. So, I could be absolutely wrong after all. But I just thought it was funny that some random dude I once got into for one night ended up being on the Suns. The other part part of this that I think is worth pointing out is he uh went he was born in Kalamazoo. Shout out to Kalazoo. That’s where my mom was born. Uh he was drafted by the Pistons and he went to the University of Michigan. So that is all the boxes. We probably should have started there, right? I mean, that that’s like the number one thing on his resume to get a job in Phoenix with the Suns. So, you’re saying that this was a madish be signing? He asked everyone. He begged, “Guys, can I just sign one guy, saw Michigan, called him over, gave him a gave him and he played in Detroit. That’s not nothing.” Josh played in Exactly. He played in Detroit where while Bartlestein was there and while Talia Pharaoh, their new head scout, was there. So, I don’t know if it was Ishpppia. All I’m saying is the the alignment is strong here. You know, it’s great. I’m thrilled that the Suns signed a guy that Josh Bartlestein I’m being facicious, just so everyone knows that Josh Bartlestein was pounding the table for and they finally said, “All right, man. All right, Nepo baby. Here is Isaiah Livers. Feel good about it.” All right, that’s good. I’m happy Josh Bartlestein is still alive and well in the Phoenix Suns construction. All right, we’ll see. Dude, you’re such a sicko. Isaiah Livers, what a pull, man. What a pull. That’s a That’s a uh immaculate grid pull right there 10 years from now. It is. It is. One thing I’ll say, though, is uh it’s not just me. Part of why I’m being all, you know, cocky about it is I know Coup, our locked on Pistons host thought he was pretty decent, too. One of those guys where it’s just you, I mean, you you watch him for 52 games in a random lost Piston season, you’re going to have an opinion on him. And I remember Coup agreeing with me and I was like, “Okay.” So, I wasn’t I wasn’t going crazy there. So, you know, we’ll see if he turns into anything. I feel like it’s probably too late for him to play in summer league, but um certainly, you know, we’ll see him with the Valley Suns. We’ll see him potentially take the court at various points for the Phoenix Suns and they could have gotten a little diamond in the rough taking a chance on a guy season. I’m going to buy you a GLeague Valley Suns Isaiah Livers jersey. That’s what I’m going to get. That’s kind of a cool last name to have on a jersey, so I’ll I’ll gladly wear it. All right, that’ll wrap us up. Hit follow or subscribe if you haven’t already. We’ll be back the rest of the week as we march closer to summer league and some more basketball to discuss. More comments from everybody of course as well. Enjoy your Wednesday. We’ll talk to you next time.

The Phoenix Suns are already setting a culture at NBA Summer League camp with coach DeMarre Carroll and youngsters Ryan Dunn and Khaman Maluach.

Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia discuss the early returns, including the new identity of the team, questions about how Devin Booker and Jalen Green will fit, and Jordan Ott’s struggle to fill his coaching staff. Then, a quick look at new Suns 2-way player Isaiah Livers.

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