Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6-10 a.m. on Arizona Sports

Dan Bickley

Dan Bickley

Kyler Murray can begin carrying Cardinals, but they must ante up

We need Murray to carry the Cardinals, through their flaws and their weaknesses on defense, past DeAndre Hopkins’ six-game suspension.
2 years ago
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks in the first qua...
Dan Bickley

Can the Suns win a championship without Deandre Ayton next season?

The potential departure of restricted free agent Deandre Ayton begs the question of if the Phoenix Suns can still be elite without him.
2 years ago
Dan Bickley

Kyler Murray’s arrival at Cardinals OTAs gives Valley much-needed jolt

Some might say he showed up late to OTAs. But somehow, he arrived at exactly the right time, giving the Valley a much-needed jolt of energy.
2 years ago
Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns talks with Chris Paul #3 during the second half of th...
Dan Bickley

Focus should be on Chris Paul after Suns’ unexplained collapse

Monty Williams, according to multiple sources, had something of a fallout with Suns point guard Chris Paul.
2 years ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the first half in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Play...
Dan Bickley

Suns’ humiliating Game 7 loss is 1 of the greatest collapses in NBA history

The Valley is not devastated. We are disgusted. We are humiliated. We just witnessed one of the greatest collapses in the history of the NBA.
2 years ago
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 12: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after hitting his hand while takin...
Dan Bickley

Suns facing new crossroads ahead of Game 7 against Mavs

The Suns are at a new crossroads. They are at the dangerous intersection of survival and scorn. Lose Game 7 to the Mavs, what do they become?
2 years ago
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns...
Dan Bickley

Game 7: The greatest 2 words in sports, only if Phoenix Suns win

Game 7. Two of the greatest words in the vernacular of sports. Unless you cheer for the Suns. Buckle up, Valley sports fans.
2 years ago
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Dan Bickley

Suns G Devin Booker’s maniacal ambition shaped him for limelight

It’s clear that Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker must be the engine that powers this team to a championship. He must be that dude. The alpha.
2 years ago
Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of Game Five of the Wes...
Dan Bickley

Suns return to court like NBA champions in Game 5 win over Mavs

Order has been restored. Faith has been renewed. For the third time in the past two seasons, the Suns have prevailed in a pivotal Game 5.
2 years ago
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, left, talks with guard Devin Booker (1) during the second h...
Dan Bickley

Suns fall in rabbit hole in Game 3 loss to desperate Mavericks

The Phoenix Suns had a bigger problem Friday night in Dallas, where they ran into the "Big D." Desperation.
2 years ago
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Dallas Maveri...
Dan Bickley

Suns’ Chris Paul proving why he’s the best point guard in Dallas series

Dallas' Luka Doncic might be a media darling and perennial MVP candidate, but he’s not the best point guard in this series. That's Chris Paul.
2 years ago
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot against Maxi Kleber #42 and Luka Doncic #77 of the...
Dan Bickley

Chris Paul’s cutthroat closing skills have Suns 10 wins away from NBA title

The NBA title requires 16 playoff victories. Some will be masterpieces worthy of wall space in the Louvre. Some belong in the paper shredder.
2 years ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after scoring against Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Ma...
Dan Bickley

It’s time for the Phoenix Suns to get their vaunted killer instinct back

Every NBA playoff series has a life of its own. But some die sooner than others. It’s time for the Phoenix Suns to get ruthless.
2 years ago
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King...
Dan Bickley

Suns tap into pedigree for emotional series-clinching win in New Orleans

Chris Paul’s day began when he received a flagrant for kicking Jose Alvarado in the groin. Paul then kicked the Pelicans in the backside.
2 years ago
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the New Orleans P...
Dan Bickley

Suns show championship team qualities in pivotal Game 5 win over Pelicans

The Suns passed all three tests of a championship team in a pivotal Game 5 win over the Pelicans at Footprint Center, writes Dan Bickley.
2 years ago
Dan Bickley

Suns suddenly in dangerous waters after Pelicans take Game 4

There was a Sunday night mugging outside the French Quarter. The Suns never saw it coming, they were Punk’d by the Pelicans.
2 years ago
Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans controls the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the Phoen...
Dan Bickley

Suns punch back vs. Pelicans in Game 3, a pivotal Big Easy brawl

It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t pretty. A 114-111 victory over the Pelicans might yet be remembered as a pivotal moment in the Suns’ postseason.
2 years ago
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns calls to teammates against the Philadelphia 76ers  at Wells Fargo...
Dan Bickley

Recent show of disrespect should fuel Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns

The Suns spent six months building the best record and the best resume in basketball. It took just a few hours to lose their VIP status.
2 years ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns watches from the bench during the second half of Game Two of th...
Dan Bickley

Adversity hits Suns in playoffs once again with Devin Booker injury

Adversity lurks in the NBA playoffs. But it seems to reside in Phoenix. Grab the aspirin and the antacids. Here we go again.
2 years ago
Dan Bickley

Suns’ Chris Paul gives Pelicans powerful reminder of his greatness in Game 1 win

The Phoenix Suns’ Game 1 win over the New Orleans Pelicans was a powerful reminder of Chris Paul’s special brand of greatness.
2 years ago
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws the ball in the second quarter of the game against ...
Dan Bickley

Something has to give in saga between Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Dan Bickley writes that the latest developments between Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals are extremely unnerving.
2 years ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after dunking the ball during the first half against the...
Dan Bickley

Suns stand atop NBA summit waiting to plant championship flag

Phoenix isn't trying to climb a mountain. It's standing at the summit, defending from all takers, waiting to plant a flag when it’s all over.
2 years ago
Dan Bickley

We should have seen Tiger Woods’ second comeback coming

If Tiger Woods is playing in the Masters, that means he’s playing in the majors. That means he might still pass Jack Nicklaus.
2 years ago
Dan Bickley

Deshaun Watson’s guaranteed deal causing ripple effect across NFL

Now that Deshaun Watson’s contract is fully guaranteed, it will become the industry standard for agents who represent high-profile players.
2 years ago
Dan Bickley

Phoenix Suns’ impressive run must end with NBA championship

A Suns squad this superior must win bring home the championship or be deemed the most disappointing team in franchise history.
2 years ago
Dan Bickley

Suns’ swagger, focus and hunger have never been seen here

Been a lot of places. Seen a lot of things. But I’ve never experienced a team with better mojo than the 2021-22 Suns.
2 years ago
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals and NFC looks on before the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at against t...
Dan Bickley

Kyler Murray’s remarks are verbal commitment to give Cardinals his all

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray spoke on Thursday and said he's not too worried about his future with the franchise.
2 years ago
Christian Koloko #35 of the Arizona Wildcats and Mike Miles #1 of the TCU Horned Frogs compete for ...
Dan Bickley

NBA and college basketball must align rules for better refereeing

Both the NBA and NCAA basketball must align their rules and regulations to create a better working model for everyone.
2 years ago
Steve Keim, general manager of the Arizona Cardinals speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combi...
Dan Bickley

Arizona Cardinals bring back key contributors in solid 1st day of free agency

The Arizona Cardinals spent the opening stages of free agency re-signing a few key names on the offensive side of the ball.
2 years ago
Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws a ball up to the fans during the ninth inning of ...
Dan Bickley

Major League Baseball is back but a long way from a great future

For years, there has been a culture war underfoot. Old school groupthink vs. celebrations of the individual. The latter must prevail.
2 years ago
Dan Bickley bio
Dan Bickley is the most influential sports media member in Arizona sports history, having spent over 20 years as the award-winning lead sports columnist for The Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com and almost two decades as a Valley sports radio talk show host. In spring 2018, Bickley made the decision to leave the newspaper to join the Arizona Sports team as host of the entertaining and informative midday show Bickley and Marotta, as well as bring his opinionated and provocative column exclusively to ArizonaSports.com.
Bickley’s journalism career began in his hometown of Chicago, where he was part of a star-studded staff at the Chicago Sun-Times. He chronicled Michael Jordan’s six NBA championships; covered the Olympics in eight different countries and attended 14 Super Bowls; spent three weeks in an Indianapolis courthouse writing about Mike Tyson’s rape trial; and once left his laptop in an Edmonton bar after the Blackhawks reached the Stanley Cup Finals.
He has won multiple awards, written two books, formed a rock band, fathered three children, and once turned down an offer to work at the New York Times.  His passions include sports, music, the alphabet, good beer and great radio. After joining Arizona Sports, he couldn’t be happier