Locked On Suns - Daily Podcast On The Phoenix Suns

We answer all your fantastic Twitter questions from over @LockedOnPHXSuns to help review the disappointing first half of the Suns’ season.

Do not despair though, we look forward, past this dismal start to the potential for growth.

Topics include:T.J. Warren’s value on the Suns and on the trade marketThe growth and potential of rookie guards De’Anthony Melton and Elie OkoboPoint guards in the 2019 draft such as Ja Morant and Darius GarlandSummer options at power forward, from Thaddeus Young to Kevin LoveAnd much more!

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On today’s episode of Locked On Suns live from Talking Stick Resort Arena, we recapped the Suns’ 121-111 loss to the Clippers. Even though the scoreboard might not show it in the end, this game never really was close.

Plagued by lackadaisical defense and effort on the glass, Phoenix trailed by as many as 30 points in this one. And over the past few games, that disturbing trend of early blowouts is showing up again.

Before we went into our main negatives from this one, we highlighted the strong play from Richaun Holmes, who you never have to worry about bringing the energy every time he steps on the floor.

However, the major red flags headlined the show as we go into Deandre Ayton’s latest struggles while examining how the Suns can fix their defense before it sinks. Should head coach Igor Kokoskov make rotation changes?

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With 2019 officially upon us, we update our perspective on Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker and Igor Kokoskov, the core group for the Suns.

Ayton is picking up in the NBA where he left off in college, finishing over the top of defenses and imposing his physical will. Can he become a truly dominant rim protector or interior scorer?

Booker is more efficient and dishing more assists than ever, plus the Suns’ offense falls of a cliff without him. Is his ceiling higher than we thought heading into the season?

Kokoskov suffers from the rebuilding coach syndrome that so often results in a firing after a few seasons, but he’s made his impression felt on the team in a hurry. Can he stick around longer than the past few Phoenix coaches?

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We break down a rough night for the Suns at home against the 76ers, Round Two of Deandre Ayton vs. Joel Embiid and another chapter in Devin Booker’s scoring saga playing Philadelphia.

The Suns suffered another massive early deficit but cut the lead all the way down to four at one point in the final period. 

Topics include:Troy Daniels quietly providing the boost the Suns needed on offense (with audio from Daniels postgame)Devin Booker’s “bad” games still look pretty goodNo defense against Sixers’ stars, Joel Embiid’s monster nightReferees take center stage as teams combine for 90 free throws

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The Suns stayed competitive for the first 18 or so minutes hosting the Warriors on New Year’s Eve but ultimately lost, 132-109. We discuss what’s stopping the Suns from really breaking through against the best teams.

Topics include:Deandre Ayton making short work of every center he faces these daysTeam defense from Melton and BridgesAll three Golden State stars go off, can’t win that way

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We break down how Deandre Ayton was able to put up a career-high in scoring on Saturday against Denver as well as what the Suns need to do to corral opposing point guards after getting set ablaze by Russell Westbrook and Jamal Murray over the weekend.

Tune in to hear from De’Anthony Melton himself on what the problems are checking playmakers on defense over the past few games as Westbrook and Murray combined for 86 points in back-to-back games.

We end by talking through the Devin Booker-Kevin Durant connection and whether there is anything to gain by the Suns setting their sights on Durant this summer.

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On today’s episode of Locked On Suns, we recap the Suns’ loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder live from Talking Stick Resort Arena. What were our main takeaways on both ends of the spectrum?

Devin Booker’s evolution as a jumbo playmaker continues to open eyes as he puts up a near triple-double, while T.J. Warren continues to be one of the most consistent Suns all season.

Also, Mikal Bridges looks to be taking on the role of defensive leader with another outing featuring multiple steals and blocks. Is his presence coupled with the likes of Kelly Oubre Jr., De’Anthony Melton, and Josh Jackson helping shift the Suns’ mentality?

Finally, we hit on Russell Westbrook’s strong outing from OKC’s point of view. The Suns had no answers as Mr. Triple-Double himself nearly put another one on his way to a 40-point explosion.

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We give further thoughts on the progress the Suns made on the east coast in December and how they can keep the momentum heading back home against a murderer’s row of opponents.

Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker put together their best individual stretches of the season over the past five games and the Suns went 3-2. That’s no coincidence. Booker’s offensive versatility and defense combined with Ayton’s defensive growth are a difficult combination to deal with.

We preview Ayton’s rematches with a few West centers as well as the scoring matchups for Booker during the next seven contests, from Kemba Walker to De’Aaron Fox. Finally, we predict the Suns’ record during the homestand.

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