Suns rookie excited to learn from NBA teammates, explains nickname
What’s the origin of Khaman Maluach’s “Man-Man” nickname? The 7-foot rookie from Duke, who was picked 10th overall by the Phoenix Suns, explains.
It lasted nearly four hours, give or take a little.
A total of 24 people took questions at Phoenix Suns media day Wednesday, Sept. 24, at PHX Arena starting with team owner Mat Ishbia, general manager Brian Gregory, head coach Jordan Ott and franchise player Devin Booker, in that order.
Interesting. Insightful. Optimistic.
Here are five takeaways from media day interviews.
Mat Ishbia addresses lawsuits, report
Ishbia came out swinging when asked about the multiple lawsuits the Suns are facing over discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination.
“Anyone can file a lawsuit any day they want or any reason they want,” Ishbia said. “I can file a lawsuit for that question (laughs), but the truth is, you have to win a lawsuit. Where I’m different than most successful people is or people you say you have a lot of money, we don’t settle. So if you don’t do anything wrong, I’m not paying someone.”
Very direct, especially for someone in this position, but Ishbia is standing firm.
Play hard, tough, together
The Suns continue to preach playing hard, together and tough as the pillars of their new identity, but it reached a point that makes one look back at last season.
Where was that? Why didn’t the Suns play that way in 2024-25?
Suns guard Collin Gillespie said he’s not sure the team appreciated the opportunity to play as much as it should have. That is very telling and just adds to why they went 36-46 despite having more talent and experience than this year’s team.
So the Suns have set a verbal tone for how to play, but now have to carry that out.
Everyone is going to be watching to see if this team can truly live up to playing hard, together and tough.
Booker the leader
This is Booker’s team. No question.
Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets) and Bradley Beal (Los Angeles Clippers) are elsewhere.
The Suns have first-year head coach Jordan Ott who is going to be leaning on him more than a veteran coach would, like those he’s had in recent years — Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer.
There are several young players. Booker is one of the older ones at 28.
He said the rookies are asking the right questions. It’s on him to not only lead by example, but provide the right answers that will keep them on track when things go south.
There is far more on his plate than maybe he even realizes.
The Suns’ most interesting player
It’s almost a given that Dillon Brooks is going to do something or say something, or do both, to get a rise out of the opponent, his teammates and the fans, home or away.
He has truly embraced being the bad guy, but he is so much more than that.
Suns star Devin Booker on team’s mindset and energy ahead of season
Phoenix Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker hits on how his team is studying other teams right now and their energy level before the season.
Diannie Chavez and Diana Payan / The Republic
Brooks studies the game. He is a hard worker and at any time, can catch a heater and go for big numbers, something Brooks is looking to do even more this season.
The guy will be must-see for Phoenix fans. He’s unapologetic for who he is, but Brooks has a passion and energy for the game that impacts winning.
“Man-Man”
One player after another kept calling Khaman Maluach “Man-Man” or what is “Bad Man.”
Got a bit confusing.
So when the 7-footer from Duke, who was taken 10th overall in the draft, had his turn, it became obvious what to ask him.
What’s the origin of this “Man-Man” nickname?
“I got it from (Tyrese Proctor and Mason Gillis) back at (Duke),” he said. “We would be practicing and you know how college practices are. There’s a lot of talking, there’s a lot of calling for the ball and they had a hard time saying, “Khaman Khaman Khaman Khaman” so they just decided to say ‘Man-Man Man-Man Man-Man Man-Man.”
Nice.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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