The Suns Are NOT One Of The NBA’s WORST Situations AND Why Collin Gillespie WILL Change EVERYTHING!

The Suns Are NOT One Of The NBA’s WORST Situations AND Why Collin Gillespie WILL Change EVERYTHING!

On today’s show, how close are the Phoenix Suns to actually competing once again? And where does their situation stack up with the rest of the NBA? And could Colin Gillespie be the one piece Phoenix Suns fans have been begging for for nearly a half decade? We’re going to talk about that and much more on this edition of Locked On Phoenix Sun. You are Locked On Suns, your daily Phoenix Suns podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network. Your team every day. Back into Locked On Phoenix Suns. My name is Benjamin Garcia, host of the Ben Garcia Show Mornings on YouTube and a credentialed Arizona sports media member covering your Phoenix Suns 365 days out of the year. That’s why we call it the your team everyday network at the locked on podcast network. So thanks for making suns your thanks for making locked on suns your first listen here on this beautiful Wednesday. Don’t forget locked on suns free and available on all platforms including YouTube. So, click that follow or subscribe button to do what thousands, dare I say millions, billions, trillions, infinity Suns fans have already done. Become an everyday dare and get locked on the Phoenix Suns right here each and every day. I got a jam-packed show for you guys today. Um, yeah, sure, there’s a lack of sports in the NBA world actually being played, but there are some narratives, and I’m a narrative guy. I really like sinking my teeth into narratives. What are other people saying about the Phoenix Suns? And it’s kind of interesting. Uh we had that ESPN article a couple weeks ago. We’re in the dead of summer where they’re just trying to create some content. They had a bunch of journalists, reporters, a vote on a couple of things. And one of those things was who will basically take a tumble this year. And the Suns were on that list. The 76ers were on that list. The Celtics were on that list. And it got me thinking because I fell victim to this, too. How close are the Phoenix Suns to actually competing? And I think it’s closer than you think. But for that, for us to dive deep into that, we’d have to talk about this first. Where does the Suns situation stack up with the rest of the NBA? Meaning, where do the Suns rank in terms of situations trying to become yet an NBA champion? Listen, there are teams out there that I will unequivocally agree with you are just better than the Phoenix Suns right now. Celtics, yes, we get it. Jason Tatum’s injured, they just want a championship and they could reload at any time. The Mavericks, sure. uh the Thunder obviously, but looking at some of these teams, the Knicks, like that’s an interesting one, too. But oftent times we like to stick the Suns because of their lack of one thing truly to the bottom of the list of all situations in the NBA. And what’s that? Well, they don’t have any draft picks. Okay. Well, let’s go through some other things. The Suns will never be in the bottom of the barrel when it ter in terms of situations in the NBA. One of the things that I love to point to because people love to talk about, oh, the Wizards, they fleeced the Suns for Bradley Beal. Yeah, did they dump a contract on the Suns that they likely knew was going sideways? Sure. And I would agree with them. Sure, they obviously won that deal just by getting off of Bradley Beal. But all that the Washington Wizards got in that deal were a bunch of pick swaps and second round picks. The players were Chris Paul who would later be waved and Landry Shamut who you hated. So yeah, Wizards got a lot of different pick swaps they could do with the Suns and those will never be exercised. Would you like to know why? because the Wizards will forever be worse than the Suns in every aspect and fiber of their being. So, congratulations on getting some second round picks and truly congratulations because there will never be a pick swap exercised in that Bradley Beal deal. And why do I bring that up? It’s pretty simple. Because there are bottom feeders in the NBA who have always been bottom feeders and will continue to be bottom feeders until further notice. It wasn’t until one time when I went on the locked on NBA squad show and we were talking about who has it worse and being in my feelings. I was one of the few people in there saying we have it the worst. Look, look at us. We all these different things. Kevin Durant doesn’t want to be here at the time. Uh uh no draft picks. We’re in the second apron. All those different things. And it wasn’t until my guy Doug Branson locked on Hornets who’s about to blow a gasket on me because he covers the Charlotte Hornets and then it dawned on me and me and Brendan kind of talked about this a little bit too briefly but we talked about it for just a second. There will always be bottom feeders in the NBA that regardless of how many picks or players, whether it’s ownership or location of the team in terms of not getting free agents or stars to be attracted there, they will always be worse than the Phoenix Suns. So, who am I talking about? Well, the Hornets, we we labeled them a second ago. The Wizards, you could throw the Jazz in there. The Raptors, they won that one title, but have literally done nothing since and that’s all they have, that one title to their name. The Magic until further notice. I know, yeah, their situation’s pretty good right now, but for the longest time, they were seen as a bottom feeder. The Grizzlies, sure, they’ve got a lot of draft picks, but they just traded away arguably their best player in Desmond Bane for a bunch of late round picks. I think the Kings are on this list. They’ve never done anything. What about those light the beam years? Oh, the one year where they were the second overall seed in the Western Conference and then lost in the first round. Not impressive. The point is teams like the Blazers and the Kings and the Pelicans and the Hornets and the Jazz and the Wizards, until further notice, until those teams that they can show that they can be competent for a long period of time, the Suns will always be better. And then outside of the elites of the elites like the I think the honestly the Dallas Mavericks are probably in this realm now. Teams like the Denver Nuggets right now or the Spurs I think are in a good spot and have championship pedigree. The Thunder, the Warriors potentially as well following that because of their championship pedigree. But outside of those teams, the Suns are in the mix with a couple of different organizations. Yeah, sure. Do some organizations have it a little bit better? Yeah, for sure. But what the Suns have and is something that a lot of other organizations don’t have is being in Phoenix, low state tax, and being a warm weather city in a cold weather sport. stars and superstars will always be attracted to Phoenix. And I understand you yourself are skeptical on what the Phoenix Suns have done over the last couple of years and I am too. But over this last off season, they have shown real maturity. The only thing the Suns are missing to fully have the, you know, every Infinity Stone Thanos style is draft picks because the Suns have the location. Every star and superstar player has Phoenix on their short list of teams they’d want to play for in a warm weather city, in a cold weather sport. They don’t want to play in Indiana. Oh, their team’s good. Yeah, it’s also minus 10. They don’t want to play in Charlotte. I guess it’s a little warmer, but yeah, me and the three things you can go do in Charlotte. Phoenix will always be a premier destination, especially in basketball, state-of-the-art facilities, new practice arenas, and an owner that is willing to spend. You know what players like, maybe you don’t, and I totally buy that. is not me coming after you is they like an owner that as long as they play well will fork over the money and Matt Ishvia has always been someone who is willing to do that. So in terms of location and being a premier destination and Matt Espia willing to spend money and as long as he’s patient that will also help too. The Suns are just missing one other thing, a star, superstar to brand their team around. And who is that? Devin Booker. One of the most unselfish stars, superstars in the NBA. Players will always want to play with him. So yeah, when you talk about other organizations right now like the Cavs and the the Timberwolves, maybe you could throw in there as well or the Magic or the Mavericks. All those teams just have something different that the Suns don’t have draft capital. But that’s the only thing the Suns are missing from being a competent competing organization, which you don’t necessarily need draft picks to win a championship. It just helps. So, this idea that the Suns are down and out for the next few seasons is absolutely insane. And I understand I have been I have been Mr. I don’t know not so positive guy recently about guys like Jaylen Green of that nature, but I have been very high on other players. So, with that being said, how close are the Suns to competing? Well, I will argue with you that it’s actually closer than you think. Let’s talk about that and much more next. First, today’s show is brought to you by my friends over at FanDuel. The interval season is almost here and and FanDuel is making sure you’re ready to kick off the season with can’tmiss offers. 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So, as I was talking about and laying out to you pretty clearly that the Phoenix Suns are not one of the worst situations in the NBA, not to mention, I should have mentioned this last segment, but the Suns can easily reload on draft picks. Devin Booker will have the same amount of value next year as he does this year. Something tells me Booker isn’t falling off a cliff next season. Oh, but Ben, what about his massive contract? What about it? You’re telling me teams that are this close to winning a championship or feel this close to winning a championship are going to turn their noses at it because he makes 10 million more dollars a year than someone else? It’s nonsense. So that other thing that I talked about, what makes teams seem competent, you can get draft picks because you have a guy in Devin Booker who is valuable and will go for five first round picks and two players even with his massive deal. These are billionaires we’re talking about. They’ve got the money, especially some of these new owners. So stop worrying about, oh, you need draft picks. I’m not in a hurry to go get a bunch of late first round picks because I traded someone my best player. I’m just not there yet. But let’s talk about this. I know I’ve been sort of negative. I I don’t want to be seen as that guy. I I you my listeners see it as negative. I see it as being honest. And there are just different people in the world that that you know take that kind of stuff differently. I’m a very blunt person. if you have an issue with me, I’d rather you just tell me. My bosses know that. And sometimes they just say, “Hey, you’re screwing this up.” And I take it that way. And so when I say this, I do mean it honestly. The Suns are this close to being one of the best situations in the NBA. This close. Is it out of the ordinary that Rashir Fleming and Kaman Malawatch hit as prospects? The Suns just did it last year with the 29th overall pick and like the 40some overall pick. Now you’re telling me the 33rd overall pick and the 10th overall pick can’t both be hits? Of course they can be. But let’s just say one of the three draft picks is a budding star. I’m not even saying all-star, just a budding star. And Jaylen Green hits as a guard. And I do think there is a real chance and I can buy into the idea that Jaylen Green could be this renaissance of a player that explodes onto the scenes and is someone who immediately comes into the fold with Devin Booker as a second option and is more efficient, plays better defensively. And then you’re talking about the Suns again being one of the best positions because look at the Suns roster. It’s actually deeper than you think. I mean, the Suns could roll nine guys deep. We’re talking about players like Nigel Hayes Davis maybe never playing. But the Suns didn’t have this sort of depth last year. The Suns are one Jaylen Green breakout season away from being in a really great position because then you have things to spend. Or maybe you move off from Jaylen Green and you get multiple draft picks in return. Or you move off of Nick Richards or Mark Williams and help bring in assets or recoup assets. But the Suns are this close to having one of the better young cores in the NBA. If one of come on Malawatch, Rashir Fleming or Jaylen Green is a star and the other two guys are just solid players. You’re talking about Ryan Dunn, Oso Agodaro, Mark Williams, uh uh uh Rashir Fleming, maybe Kobe Brea, Jaylen Green. I haven’t even included Devin Booker in that fold. And he’s 28 years old, 29 years old. He’s not an old player. There is a world next year, although like I find it somewhat hard to believe that the Suns next year could be a playoff team. Not saying they couldn’t make the play in and then make the playoffs. That’s where that’s getting mis that’s where that gets a little misconstrued sometimes. But I believe this team can be a team that wins enough games to be in the nine or 10 seed or the eight or seven seed and win one or two playin games because Devin Booker goes nuclear and makes the playoffs. But that’s not what matters. This season is about development. And the Suns have to know they’re this close to becoming one of the better situations in the NBA if they just develop their stars a little better. And they’ve done so over the last couple of seasons. But Devin Booker is still a star. Ryan Dunn, as is right now, is an okay three-point shooter, and that’s putting it kind of nicely, but an elite shutdown defender. Mark Williams, we know, is a double double machine. Can he be better defensively? Oso Gdaro, we know he’s got a high floor to him. Cohen Gillespie, who we’ll talk about in the next segment, that’s another player as well. Young upand cominging player that can handle the basketball a little bit. The Suns aren’t that far away. This facade that if you have draft picks, you are closer than a team that has players is crazy. Having the 28th overall pick ain’t all that. That’s why normally teams like to trade out of those spots and recoup more assets, more swings at the bat in the second round. The Suns are more competent than you think. And especially with the plan that they’ve had in place recently, I feel better about it. And so, forget about any of this. Let’s just say Kamal Malawatch is a fine player for the 10th overall pick. Rashir Fleming, Kobe Brea. If Jaylen Green turns into what a lot of you think he’s going to turn into, which is a powerhouse change of pace point guard who can learn from Devin Booker and be an elite secondary scorer, then you’re just looking for one more piece to really be back in the contending spot. And that’s not even including that one of the rookies takes a leap or Grace it Allen goes back to not last year but the year prior Grace it Allen. It’s not crazy to think that. And so for all the worries about Jaylen Green and not having draft picks, the Suns aren’t that far away. Things change in an instant in the NBA in all sports. The Celtics were just right here. What did one Tatum injury do? Put them on the list of ESPN teams that are going to fall flat on their face this year. The Pacers were in game seven. What happened? Injury. Now the Pacers, some people wouldn’t be shocked if they missed the playoffs this year because of no Tyrese Hallebertton. So, I know it looks bleak. I know it looks frustrating, but one or two guys steps up this year and the Suns become one of the premier destinations to be. And what do we know from that? The disgruntled star looks around, says, “I want to go there. I’ll only sign an extension there. Only trade me there.” And then he ends up in Phoenix. And this has already happened before with Kevin Durant, both for the Suns and against the Suns. It’s not crazy. It’s not insane and they’re closer than you think. Let’s talk about Colin Gillespie. We just mentioned him a second ago. Could he be the one thing Suns fans have been absolutely begging for over the last couple of seasons? Let’s talk about that next. So, talking about Colin Gillespie, I’ve seen this from a couple of people. Well, the Phoenix Suns need a point guard. That is their most important emphasis of need. And I have consistently said for three straight years now, no, it’s not. For the first year, it was like get defense, get players who can shoot the three. The Suns did neither of those things. The very next season it was they have a massive hole at the center position and an even bigger hole at the wing spot. The point guard spot I’m not really interested in taking the ball out of the hands of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker or Kevin Rant. And I was right there. Like emphatically right. And now this year we’re going to play back the hits. All right, let’s look at this roster. Well, there’s no PG by anyone else’s names outside of maybe Jordan Goodwin and one calling Gillespie. And for Suns fans to look at that and say they need that player is crazy. I’ll say this again for some people that maybe haven’t heard this. Having a point guard on your Having a point guard on your roster just to have a point guard on your roster might make you feel better, but it’s like putting a blanket over you when you think there’s a ghost in your house. It doesn’t actually do anything. It just makes you feel better. It’s the same thing with draft picks. Having all these picks, it doesn’t do anything. It just makes you feel better. Just a little security blanket to keep you from the monsters and ghosts you think that are under your bed or in the closet. But what is interesting is the Suns already have those guys on the roster. Their names are Jaylen Green and Devin Booker. Well, Devin Booker is not the best point guard. No, but he’s still hundred times better than what’s on the market. Yeah, sure. If I could get Chris Paul in his prime or Steph Curry or one of those really Ricky Rubio in his prime, one of those really good pass first guards that can also kind of shoot the three ball a little bit without being a complete liability defensively. Yeah, sure I do that. But what’s all in the market right now are guys with just the initials PG in front of their name. And that doesn’t make them great for this team. But you know who can fill that role? And I’ve kind of already spoiled it for you. Colin Gillespie. I am really high on Colin. To the point where you guys all said, “Ah, that’s so rude. I don’t want to make it seem like I am everyone or everyone said this, but it was a large majority, 90% of Suns fans. We want Chris Paul back.” Okay. Why? Well, he helped take us to the 2021 NBA Finals. You know, that was four years ago, right? And he’s 55 years old now. And it was, well, he can handle the ball. He can pass it. I’m not interested in that. I advocated for more Colin Gillespie minutes, not having Chris Paul come in the fold and take those things. What I love about Colin and his ability to come on the Suns and make them a better team, especially in the second unit, handling the ball with all those other players. One, he’s a pesky defender. He is not a great defender, but he’s willing, and that goes a long way, and being annoying Jose Alvarado style to the opposing team’s ball handler is enough for me. But even more than that, I think he runs the pick and pick and roll fairly effectively. I think he gets to the the hoop better than some people might think, but he shot 43% from three. He shot two of them a night. So that means he did it uberly efficiently. 40 43% from the field and about 14 minutes playing a night. So, if we’re doing the what does a successful season look like for Colin Gillespie, I want to see him play 18 minutes a night. Shoot one more three a night, maybe two. That feels a little much. Probably one and a half. And can he be the playmaker that the Suns need? Doing the old dribble around the dribble the full circular length of the basket, find a guy down low, what Steve Nash used to do. But I’m really high on Colin Gillespie this year. I don’t think he’s going to turn into the Suns. I don’t think he’s gonna fix the Steve Nash syndrome that I that I coined years ago where every generation has had this point guard that they can cling on to for Suns fans, whether it was Jay Kidd or Kevin Johnson or Steve Nash or Chris Paul. I don’t think he’s going to fill that void. But what to expect from Colin Gillespie this year is pretty simple. Can he be on the floor for about four to five more minutes a night and continue his efficiently his efficiency shooting the basketball and finding guys open? There’s a chance you have your future sixman. And I hate to say this just because he’s a white point guard, but could he be your TJ McConnell? come in, be a pesky defender, be annoying defensively, not even a good defender, just annoying. Dive after loose balls, find open players in the corner, dribble, drive out, and kick it out to someone and hit the occasional open three while also, while getting to the foul line, not being a liability there. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that Colin Gillespie could be that guy, the TJ McConnell type. And the reasoning why I didn’t want Chris Paul on this team and I advocated religiously for Colin Gillespie is because in a league that is continuously getting younger, twitchier, faster, Chris Paul is none of those things. And Colin Gillespie fits that mold. And if he can come in and play the TJ McConnell type, which I don’t think is crazy, the Suns have one of the biggest things that you need, a willing a willing defender, pesky player off the bench who can grab a board and hit an occasional three. And when Devin Booker is doing his thing, Greg Gorand Dragic was like this too when I was younger. when Steve Nash was hitting and Amari Starttomire was hitting and you know whoever was on the court at the time, Jason Richardson I believe played with with uh Gorandragic, I know Grant Hill did, but when all those guys were hitting their shots and the team defensively stepped up and pressed those guys and and blitzed the the ball handlers and all that kind of stuff, right? and they thought they had everyone in raps, but here comes in little Gorandragic or in this instance little TJ McConnell or Colin Gillespie type coming in to break their backs with another three or open cut to the basket. That is the role that Colin Gillespie has to play this year. And it’s why I advocated for him on this team over any other option, any of them, even Malcolm Brogden. I want to see more of Colin Gillespie this year, not less. While everyone else was chanting for the bull bull thing, I said, “Guys, he’s not very good.” Check the receipts. I was right on that. I almost fell into it there for a second, but I was right on that. He just wasn’t a good player. And for the guy typing bullbable in the comment section is misunderstood. God save it. No one has signed the guy. And it’s why when people come after me, oh, you’re being too our Okay, I was right on that. I’m going to be right on this, too. Colin Gillespie needs more minutes, not less, and not miscast because we like watching Bull Bull play because he’s more fun. Gillespie fits the fits the role of a winning championship caliber basketball player. Not the best player on the team, but maybe the most willing, and that’s what matters the most. All right, guys. Thank you so much for tuning in to this edition of Locked On Phoenix Suns. I’m working on trying to get a guest for Friday’s show. So, if you guys have any people that you’re like, “Go get this guy. He knows more than you and we’ll school you in basketball knowledge. Let me know. Let’s bring him on the show or her as well.” Not not obviously opposed to that either. Him or her. Let me know who you’d want on the show. I’ll reach out to those people and probably get them on or maybe have to schedule it out a little bit further in advance. But, thank you so much for tuning into the show. Uh, do me a favor. Don’t forget to like, share, subscribe, leave a fivestar review wherever you are consuming this. uh if you are listening to it in an audio form. So with that being said guys, thank you so much for tuning in to Locked On Phoenix Suns. For myself, Benjamin Garcia, everyone tuning in. I will talk to you guys on Friday.

Are the Phoenix Suns closer to NBA contention than we think? Benjamin Garcia thinks so.

Garcia breaks down the Suns’ competitive position, arguing they’re far from the league’s bottom feeders. He analyzes the roster’s potential, highlighting how young talents like Jalen Green could transform the team. “The Suns are one Jalen Green breakout season away from being in a really great position,” Garcia claims.

The host also explores Colin Gillespie’s role, comparing him to TJ McConnell and suggesting he could be a key piece off the bench. Garcia discusses how Gillespie’s defense and shooting could impact the Suns’ second unit.

Tune in for an optimistic take on the Suns’ future and insights on how they could quickly climb back into NBA championship contention.

0:00 Intro: Phoenix Suns’ competitiveness and NBA standing
5:07 Suns not among worst NBA situations
10:45 How close are Suns to competing?
15:53 Suns’ potential with young core development
21:02 Colin Gillespie: Potential impact for Suns
26:38 Gillespie’s role and comparisons to TJ McConnell
29:42 Outro: Request for guest suggestions

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