Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
How Have Mike Budenholzer, Tyus Jones & The Rookies faired?
Nov 20, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer yells a referee during the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Welcome to today’s episode of Locked on Suns, where we’re diving into the Phoenix Suns’ latest developments. With Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal back in action, we’re shifting our focus to the newcomers: the head coach, the starting point guard, and the first-round pick. We’re grading their performances and discussing their impact on the team. Let’s get started!
- Mike Budenholzer’s Impact:
- Budenholzer has brought a new identity to the Suns, focusing on shooting threes, pace, and defense.
- Despite injuries, the team has maintained a strong defensive presence, limiting opponents’ corner threes and shots at the rim.
- Budenholzer’s leadership has been a refreshing change, fostering respect and cohesion within the team.
- His strategic decisions, like starting Ryan Dunn and experimenting with lineups, have shown his adaptability and commitment to winning.
- Tyus Jones’ Role:
- Jones has stepped up significantly, especially during injuries, averaging 6.9 assists and playing 32 minutes per game.
- His confidence in shooting and ability to adapt as a secondary scorer have been crucial.
- Defensively, while he faces challenges due to his size, Jones has held his own.
- Despite statistical anomalies suggesting the offense is better without him, his contributions remain vital.
- Ryan Dunn’s Performance:
- As a first-round pick, Dunn has exceeded expectations, showing promise as a defender and a spark off the bench.
- While his three-point shooting has been inconsistent, his overall impact remains positive.
- Dunn’s role is expected to stabilize as he transitions to a supporting role with the return of key players.
- Overall Newcomer Grades:
- Budenholzer receives high marks for his leadership and strategic impact, with room for improvement in certain areas like the three-point game plan.
- Jones earns a B+ for his adaptability and contributions, with potential for growth as the team regains full strength.
- Dunn, despite some inconsistencies, is graded in the A range for his unexpected contributions as a late first-round pick.
- Looking Ahead:
- As the season progresses, the integration of these newcomers will be crucial for the Suns’ success.
- The return of Durant and Beal will allow for a more complete evaluation of the team’s dynamics and potential.
Join us as we continue to analyze the Suns’ journey this season. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights and updates on your favorite team!
Giannis Antetokounmpo improves on greatness, again
Giannis, Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez lead the way for the Bucks in 2024
Our modern relationship with the concept of greatness is a strange thing. Certainly in NBA basketball, but even more broadly, we like to hold greatness up to its lack. Less readily do we accept greatness at face value, or allow for greatness to simply stand on its own. It needs a backdrop of failure, and maybe because of that, it is failure we’ve become better at discussing. When greatness persists, or proves to have staying power, it feels almost dull. We want greatness to come with persistent conflict, and we want our greats to prove it, again and again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a prime modern example.
Over the weekend, Antetokounmpo made history. He became the NBA athlete to record the most 30-point games in a decade, beating out the obvious candidates of Steph Curry and LeBron James. That’s over 262 games with 30-plus-points. So far this season, he’s been averaging 32.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, and shooting field goals at a 60.8% accurate clip. These numbers are staggering and yet, at a glance around discussion on the season, you’d think they were hum-drum.
Truth be told, conversation about the Bucks and Antetokounmpo seemed more engaged when both struggled early in the season. Those favourite, swirling questions of will-he-or-won’t-he be traded, or force a trade, rose with aplomb. A championship calibre team doing badly is always news, sure, but when its championship calibre superstar pushes through the struggles to virtually carry the team, we tend to turn our attention elsewhere.
Maybe it’s because the thing that’s given Antetokounmpo another gear this season — rediscovering the mid-range — is a part of the floor not as exciting as the three-point range teams like the Celtics are bombing from, but the bump has been drastic. Last season Antetokounmpo shot 35.1% from the mid-range and thus far this season he’s converting 47.8% of his mid-range attempts (of which he’s doubled, 2.4 to 4.3).
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Ensuring balance in the Phoenix Suns’ minutes management for Durant, Beal, and Booker is crucial as the team navigates the season. The focus is on maintaining player health and optimizing performance. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Injury The Suns’ stars, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, are expected to return against the Lakers, promising a significant boost to the team’s capabilities. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Lakers will face the Suns at the Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Preview Emirates NBA Cup play continues this week — here’s what lies ahead for all teams. (NBA)
Roster Before the 2025 NBA Draft, get familiar with 10 international prospects. (ESPN)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s Fantasy Basketball Recap - Hamstrings Strike In Orlando
Nov 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) shoots during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters/Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action brought a whirlwind of performances, injuries, and strategic moves that could significantly impact your fantasy basketball lineup. Here are the major takeaways from the day, focusing on what’s most relevant for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Player Returns
- Devin Vassell is expected back on Wednesday, which is great news for those who have been patient with his knee issues. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson is out for Utah, creating opportunities for players like Colin Sexton and Isaiah Collier to step up. Keep an eye on Johnny Juzang as a potential deep-league add.
- Gary Harris suffered a hamstring injury, which could open up more minutes for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black. With Jalen Suggs also dealing with a hamstring issue, these players could see increased roles.
Waiver Wire Trends
- Moussa Diabate has become a hot commodity following Grant Williams’ injury. While Diabate’s scoring is limited, his defensive stats make him a valuable short-term add.
- Malcolm Brogdon is worth considering for streaming, though his long-term value remains uncertain. Similarly, Ty Jerome had a standout performance, but his shooting percentages are unlikely to be sustainable.
- Naji Marshall and T.J. McConnell are sensible additions given the current absences in their respective teams. McConnell, in particular, could provide solid assists and steals with several key players out.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Suns podcasts.
Are the Trade Rumors Dragging the Phoenix Suns Down, Or Is It Something Else?
The Phoenix Suns dropped two terrible losses right as Bradley Beal for Jimmy Butler trade rumors started flying. Coincidence? Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia debate how much the trade whispers are to blame for the Suns’ poor play as well as what the actual biggest issue is for the Suns right now. Then, one big Christmas wish for the Phoenix Suns to close out the show.
Phoenix Suns Lose Another Game and Another Star As Devin Booker Injures Groin Vs. Pacers
As soon as Bradley Beal is back for the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker goes out and the Suns drop another bad home L to the Indiana Pacers. Is it too soon to call this rock bottom? Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia bring a dispatch from inside Footprint Center after another disheartening Suns loss. Does the team’s spirit need an adjustment in addition to getting healthy? And why did they lose even with Booker’s injury?
Should the Phoenix Suns Big 3 Look More Like a Big 2? Plus Favorite Non-Jimmy Butler Targets
The Phoenix Suns have been elite this season with just Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the court, begging the question of what they really need from Bradley Beal. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down whether the Big 3 should play more like a Big 2, and what the best role for Beal might be if he stays on the team. To close, we each pick our favorite non-Jimmy Butler trade target this season.
