Empire of the Suns

Ricky Rubio #11 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball ahead of Josh Richardson #0 of the Philadelphi...
Kevin Zimmerman

Some good ol’ numbers explaining why the Phoenix Suns are good

The numbers match the eye-test. The Phoenix Suns are doing a lot right on both ends of the floor through seven games of 2019-20.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shouts at Philadelphia 76ers players after scoring and being fo...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ ascent to legitimacy hits latest peak with hard-fought win over 76ers

The Phoenix Suns are forcing everyone to believe they are for real after another impressive win, this time at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, right, talks with Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the se...
Kellan Olson

Suns face strong test in hosting 76ers, NBA’s last unbeaten team

For those who want to gauge their expectations on the Phoenix Suns, Monday night's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers serves as a good opportunity.
5 years ago
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: (L-R) Cameron Johnson #23, Jevon Carter #4, Frank Kaminsky #8, Kelly...
Kellan Olson

Figuring out the unrecognizable Phoenix Suns through 5 games

The Phoenix Suns are playing a high level of basketball through five games, and weaving through a short sample size to figure out what's real is tricky.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game agai...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ Monty Williams given clarification after clock malfunction

Monty Williams had a conversation with the league office to receive an explanation on what the specific rules were late in the team's loss Monday night.
5 years ago
The Phoenix Suns react during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Mond...
Kellan Olson

Suns hang around again, fail to execute in crunch time of loss to Jazz

The Phoenix Suns continue to prove they are for real defensively, but with that come the hurdles of earning the respect of referees to play physical.
5 years ago
Ricky Rubio #11 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game against ...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ Rubio set to return after 1-game absence; mosh pit brings the hype

Phoenix Suns point guard Ricky Rubio is back for Monday's game and the team has a very fun new tradition right before games start.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center, is fouled as he drives past LA Clippers forward Montrezl H...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ transformation into scrappy, smart team continues in win over LAC

The Phoenix Suns continue to look like a completely transformed team after a surprising and sensational win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Denver Nuggets forward Torrey Craig (3) reach for the ball ...
Kellan Olson

Suns refuse to die, grind to OT loss in first game without suspended Ayton

For the second straight game of the season, the Phoenix Suns showed a lot of fight, this time without Deandre Ayton in an overtime loss to Denver.
5 years ago
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns high fives fans as he walks off the court following the NBA g...
Kellan Olson

Suns face identity change with Deandre Ayton suspension

Deandre Ayton was suspended 25 games by the NBA on Thursday night for a failed drug test, a suspension that has short- and long-term negative effects.
5 years ago
Ricky Rubio #11 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball during the second half of the NBA game agains...
Kellan Olson

Suns will get indication of where they stand on ‘daunting’ 3-game run

The Phoenix Suns looked great in their season opener and the team's next three games will give everyone a good indication of how legit the performance was.
5 years ago
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ collective team effort leads to encouraging win over Kings in opener

The Phoenix Suns did more than meet the optimism opening night brings, playing together with a terrific defensive effort in a win over the Kings.
5 years ago
Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield and Phoenix Suns guard Ricky Rubio (11) reach for the ball durin...
Kevin Zimmerman

Isn’t it nice? PG Ricky Rubio’s impact felt in Suns’ season-opening win

It was a new-look Phoenix Suns team on Wednesday evening with point guard Ricky Rubio running as the team's floor general.
5 years ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Kelly Oubre Jr. #3 after scoring against the Milwauk...
Kellan Olson

With legitimate roster comes real expectations, pressure for Suns

The Phoenix Suns have positioned themselves in a spot where fan optimism is high that the team will finally start turning things around.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams instructs his team during the first half of an NBA preseason...
Kellan Olson

‘Good nerves’ coming for Monty Williams as Suns’ opener gets closer

The weird rhythm of the Suns' nine-day break between the end of the preseason and the start of the regular season is just about over.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson, center, goes to the basket past Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan...
Kellan Olson

Suns rookie Cam Johnson definitely notices NBA having more space

As a shooter, Suns rookie Cam Johnson knows all the angles on the court, so he definitely is already noticing how much more room there is in the NBA.
5 years ago
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Empire of the Suns

Empire of the Suns previews, predicts an overhauled NBA landscape

Empire of the Suns gets you ready for another season of Phoenix Suns basketball by zooming out and looking at the NBA as a whole.
5 years ago
(AP photos)...
Empire of the Suns

Empire of the Suns’ big picture reset for new season, faces

Empire of the Suns looks at the big picture for the Phoenix Suns heading into a season full of new faces and additions. Again.
5 years ago
Marquese Chriss #32 of the Golden State Warriors is fouled by Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lak...
Kevin Zimmerman

On Draymond Green blaming the Suns for Marquese Chriss’ development

Marquese Chriss failures with the Suns are on the franchise and ownership, which have to prove things have changed. There. A Phoenix writer said it again.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (3) battle for the rebound durin...
Kellan Olson

Suns using long break till season opener as an extra training camp

The Phoenix Suns have an unusually long break from the end of the preseason to the opener and head coach Monty Williams has a plan for it.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) moves the ball upcourt as Denver Nuggets forward Torrey Craig (...
Kellan Olson

Suns’ balancing act on offense continues in preseason finale loss

The Phoenix Suns will need to figure out how to balance the offense between Ricky Rubio setting up Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker getting his shots.
5 years ago
Assistant coach Monty Williams of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Toronto Raptors in Ga...
Kellan Olson

Suns back home for preseason finale after mixed results on road

The Phoenix Suns were extremely sloppy in a loss on Thursday but also couldn't miss from deep in a win on Saturday. That's how preseason goes sometimes.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams smiles as he answers a question about the re-signing of Kell...
Kellan Olson

Suns going ‘0.5’ on offense flows with front office’s moves in offseason

The Phoenix Suns want to play fast and reactionary on offense for the second straight year but the change in personnel is a key in executing the idea.
5 years ago
Phoenix Suns guard Ty Jerome (10) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyrone Wallace during the ...
Kellan Olson

Suns starters show cohesion in preseason debut against Timberwolves

The Phoenix Suns' starting five embraced Monty Williams' quick offense and showed real cohesion in the first game of the preseason.
5 years ago