Fanning the Flames

On this episode of Fanning the Flames, special guest (two-time Grammy Award-winning artist and friend of the show) Nate Ruess (@nateruessmusic) joins us to preview the upcoming NBA Playoffs.

You may know Nate as the lead singer of The Format and fun., but he's also a huge basketball junkie who grew up a Phoenix Suns fan but became disenchanted with the team since the start of the Robert Sarver era. Thus bringing a different point of view to the Podcast of Optimism.

So, without further ado, tune in and listen as we:

Pick every matchup in the Western Conference;

Pick who we each think will come out of the East;

Pick our NBA Champion (spoiler alert: there's a consensus); and

Discuss where the Suns will fall in the regular season awards.

Make sure to follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Dan (@danduarte1), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter. 

The Bright Side of the Sun Podcast Network is available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play - and if you use one of those podforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

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The Suns refuse to be boring. With the one seed locked up, the Suns (and their bench unit) kept things spicy this week with three incredibly entertaining games of basketball! Join us as we cover every piece of this remarkable week of Suns basketball. We recap the Lakers funeral, the near miracle against the Clippers, and Jazziest Jazz game we've seen all year!

Stick around for a special Highs, Lows, and Just So You Knows, as we share our thoughts on this historic regular season of Phoenix Suns basketball. Make sure to subscribe on all podcast platforms! Also, feel free to check us out on Twitter and Instagram: @TheValleyPHX

Into the Valley: A Phoenix Suns Podcast | Part of the Bright Side Podcast Network

(Hosted by Philip Russell, Ryan Shutt, and Ethan Shutt)

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This week, the Phoenix Suns set a franchise record for wins in a season, eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers from Playoff contention, and Robert Horry uttered the words we've waited 15 years to hear from him: "I'm sorry, Steve Nash."

Everything is coming up Suns (even in losses) and we dive into it all on this episode of Fanning the Flames. Also on this week's episode:

We discuss the biggest villains in Suns history;

Dan and Justin have a "spirited debate" about Robert Sarver's tenure as owner; and

We talk about first-round Playoff matchups.

Make sure to follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Dan (@danduarte1), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter. 

The Bright Side of the Sun Podcast Network is available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play - and if you use one of those podforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

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A 2-2 week leaves us with some questions about the seemingly hot and cold week of basketball we have witnessed. Even with strange (and maybe disappointing?) losses, we believe the Suns are just fine.

Join us as we cover every piece of this odd week of Suns basketball, from the Warriors and 76ers highs, to the Grizzlies and (3rd string) Thunder lows.

Stick around for our Highs, Lows, and Just So You Knows in Phoenix Suns basketball, and make sure to subscribe on all podcast platforms! Also, feel free to check us out on Twitter and Instagram: @TheValleyPHX

Into the Valley: A Phoenix Suns Podcast | Part of the Bright Side Podcast Network

(Hosted by Philip Russell, Ryan Shutt, and Ethan Shutt)

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On this episode of Fanning the Flames, John Voita (@DarthVoita) from the Suns JAM Session podcast (@SunsJAM) joins us to gush about the roll that the Phoenix Suns are on. We dive into:

Recent impressive performances by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.

Who - if anyone - can stop the Suns.

Whether guys like Booker, Ayton, and Mikal Bridges will receive individual accolades from the media.

The potential new Suns City Edition jerseys.

Make sure to follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Dan (@danduarte1), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter. 

The Bright Side of the Sun Podcast Network is available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play - and if you use one of those podforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

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Did we just witness the most fun week of Suns basketball? Yes. I think so.

Join us as we cover every piece of an action packed week of Suns basketball, from the OT thriller against the Kings, to the heated battle against Booker's best friends. And let's not forget the efficiency filled game against the Nuggets!

Stick around for our MVP thoughts, both about the award itself and how Devin Booker fits into the picture. Make sure to subscribe on all podcast platforms! Also, feel free to check us out on Twitter: @TheValleyPHX

Into the Valley: A Phoenix Suns Podcast | Part of the Bright Side Podcast Network

(Hosted by Philip Russell, Ryan Shutt, and Ethan Shutt)

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The Suns injuries just won't stop, as Jae Crowder joined the injury crew. Even thought the Suns continue to play musical chairs with the injury report, they continue to keep stringing wins together. This week was highlighted by fantastic play at every position, with some special shoutouts on the way for Cam Payne and DominAyton! Also, please keep us in your thoughts, as we mourn the loss of our Kentucky Wildcats (and the Chicago Bulls contender status?)

Stick around for our Highs, Lows, and Just So You Knows in Phoenix Suns basketball, and make sure to subscribe on all podcast platforms! Also, feel free to check us out on Twitter: @TheValleyPHX

Into the Valley: A Phoenix Suns Podcast | Part of the Bright Side Podcast Network

(Hosted by Philip Russell, Ryan Shutt, and Ethan Shutt)

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The Suns continued their shorthanded play this week, going without a mix of Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Cam Johnson. Even with all of those missing pieces, they finished the week 3-1 (and easily could have been 4-0). This week was filled with Mikal heroics, "not so clutch" clutch time, sweet revenge in Miami, and a blowout win over LeBron and the Lakers. Can't really complain about that!

Stick around for our Highs, Lows, and Just So You Knows in Phoenix Suns basketball, and make sure to subscribe on all podcast platforms! Also, feel free to check us out on Twitter: @TheValleyPHX

Into the Valley: A Phoenix Suns Podcast | Part of the Bright Side Podcast Network

(Hosted by Philip Russell, Ryan Shutt, and Ethan Shutt)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Phoenix Suns have been woefully shorthanded over the past week, but that has not entirely derailed their winning ways. Plus, it has allowed certain guys (Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and Cameron Payne) to step up their games in the absence of Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

On this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, we recap the past week of Suns basketball and also delve into:

What the Suns' cap situation could look like in a couple years;

Whether Payne can be the point guard of the future for the Suns; and

Suns President and CEO Jason Rowley' Twitter account being deactivated and what, if anything, it means in relation to the ongoing investigation.

Make sure to follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Dan (formerly @DDuarte89), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter. 

The Bright Side of the Sun Podcast Network is available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play - and if you use one of those podforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

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Buckle up listeners, because we have a super sized episode on our hands.

The fantastic David Nash joins us for a mega mail bag episode. Topics covered include: Playoff predictions, upcoming contracts, Cam vs. Mikal, Ethan actually reading a book, the Suns' key to success, and so much more! Thanks to all of you who submitted questions on Twitter, and hopefully we can do another one of these soon!

Please check out David's writing and Suns breakdowns at https://thefourpointplay.substack.com/ and follow him on Twitter @theIVpointplay

Be sure to subscribe on all podcast platforms, and feel free to check us out on Twitter: @TheValleyPHX

Into the Valley: A Phoenix Suns Podcast | Part of the Bright Side Podcast Network

(Hosted by Philip Russell, Ryan Shutt, and Ethan Shutt)

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