Suns Media Day 2022 - Monday, September 26th

[The Bobster]

We took last year's team, and are subtracting our starting 4 and our #1 big off the bench. We replaced that with end of bench guys in Okogie and Lee and Landale. Not sure how you see that as an upgrade. Maybe you are thinking that a post ACL Dario will make up the difference and a whole lot more?

We clearly did everything we could to land KD, and that fell through. I am not blaming Jones for that, you have to swing for the fences.
We had a back up plan in Barnes, but that fell through, too.
Then Jones just went waiver wire shopping.

We didn't improve. Hopefully we have some other things lined up this year, or maybe Ayton finally turns the corner. Or Bridges on offense. But on paper, we are worse right now.

Yeah. I mulled it over after I posted and you're right. Back to James Jones. I wouldn't expect him to say "we are a worse team this year" during media day. Which I guess lends itself to our prior debate. I wouldn't expect him to say "our interim GM is a really bad person and it's unfortunate Robert Sarver selected him". So there probably is an element of not being fully transparent when pressed about certain people from our GM. But I still believe that there are times when you're just wrong. He might only know the interim GM as a good person in his interactions. Hard to say.

I completely agree here.

The interim Governor also had to be approved by the NBA, so there is reason for some hope that he was cleared of any involvement in the pattern of bad behavior.

That said, I hope the next Governor comes from outside of the current organization.

[Superbone]

True, but you don't say something that strong unless you believe it.

He is talking to the media, and as a GM, he knows his job is to basically tell them what he wants them to hear, and what his bosses want them to know. It isn't to tell the truth.

But I appreciate your positive attitude.

I have a hard time believing that both Jones and Williams got together and made a plan to say positive things about Garvin. They only know what they've experienced thus far and it may be minimal. I don't know. Anyway, I don't know anything about the guy other than what I've read online. Hopefully we won't hear anything about him as he'll stay in the background and out of the way.

Don't try to argue this. Apparently, Jones and others should know the people 110% that they make positive mention regarding. If it's later found out that person is a POS, James Jones and Williams are just liars covering up for their boss(es).

I was rather surprised to find out that one of my high school friends, who was also a school teacher, was arrested for having child pornography on his computer at home. And while this is not as outwardly obvious as Sarver's behavior, I'm sure Sarver treated Jones, Williams and the players differently than he treated the woman in the marketing office or the guy in the ticket office, because to a person with Sarver's management style those people are "a dime a dozen". I don't doubt that they did see some things that now, after the fact makes then connect the dots and see him for what he is, but I can see where it might not have been obvious to them.

My point is, you really don't know what someone is thinking, and without proof that Williams of Jones saw something egregious first hand, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Yes, this exactly.

[JeremyG]

But all of that ignores the fact that Sarver already had a well-known reputation for being a jerk and former players (including James Jones' own teammate Raja Bell) had already told stories about him. That being the case, you would think Jones would not automatically assume that all of the people Baxter interviewed were lying.

[The Bobster]

But all of that ignores the fact that Sarver already had a well-known reputation for being a jerk and former players (including James Jones' own teammate Raja Bell) had already told stories about him. That being the case, you would think Jones would not automatically assume that all of the people Baxter interviewed were lying.

Jones and Williams have both been around the league long enough to know that most of the time rumors are just rumors. Of course some of them do end up being the truth, like these about Sarver, but if you don't see it first-hand you may or may not feel their credible.

Look, now everybody has seen the evidence that Sarver is a turd. You just need to read about what's in the report. But there are STILL people out there who think it's a case of "cancel culture" gone out of control. Different people have different perspectives. Some people could overlook Kobe Bryant's rape accusations, other people couldn't.

[Indy]

But all of that ignores the fact that Sarver already had a well-known reputation for being a jerk and former players (including James Jones' own teammate Raja Bell) had already told stories about him. That being the case, you would think Jones would not automatically assume that all of the people Baxter interviewed were lying.

Jones and Williams have both been around the league long enough to know that most of the time rumors are just rumors. Of course some of them do end up being the truth, like these about Sarver, but if you don't see it first-hand you may or may not feel their credible.

Look, now everybody has seen the evidence that Sarver is a turd. You just need to read about what's in the report. But there are STILL people out there who think it's a case of "cancel culture" gone out of control. Different people have different perspectives. Some people could overlook Kobe Bryant's rape accusations, other people couldn't.

overlook hundreds of people breaking NDAs to speak to investigators? I get the feeling some of the guys didn't even read the report. Paul is the only guy that was specific about that and said he read every word.

[bajanguy008]

Sup Suns fam ?!?

Been a while since I've been around but lots of dust has settled now and we're approaching my time - "the on court action"

So probably not gonna be a surprise to hear I not really losing sleep over the mood of media day. I liked someone's post, can't remember who at the moment but fact is there just wasn't much reason for the team to be all jovial

I'm sure if they were behaving all chipper it would have seemed inappropriate with the Sarver situation so fresh. Plus fair or not, many fans are still haunted/disturbed by our playoff debacle and probably expect to see the guys looking like they haven't forgotten and just ready to get to work.

Bottom line, somber or happy mood would have had criticism either way cause can't please everyone. Which brings me back to my original point - the on court action which is where we can agree that everyone wants to see a winning team. So until I see a somber group on court, not enjoying each other's success with alot of bitching....

I really not bothered !

Hope everyone is good

[Superbone]

But all of that ignores the fact that Sarver already had a well-known reputation for being a jerk and former players (including James Jones' own teammate Raja Bell) had already told stories about him. That being the case, you would think Jones would not automatically assume that all of the people Baxter interviewed were lying.

Who said he did?! That is preposterous.

[JeremyG]

But all of that ignores the fact that Sarver already had a well-known reputation for being a jerk and former players (including James Jones' own teammate Raja Bell) had already told stories about him. That being the case, you would think Jones would not automatically assume that all of the people Baxter interviewed were lying.

Who said he did?! That is preposterous.

That was the implication in his statement defending Sarver last November.

[Mori Chu]

I don't see a problem with the comments James Jones made. It's a lot to ask somebody to trash their boss publicly to the media, especially about things Jones himself did not witness. Same for Garvin. If Jones had said at media day that Garvin is a lousy person, that would have dominated media day and eclipsed all other Suns stories. It's also not clear that it would be fruitful, since Garvin is a temporary partner who will be out after this year.

[AmareIsGod]

I don't see a problem with the comments James Jones made. It's a lot to ask somebody to trash their boss publicly to the media, especially about things Jones himself did not witness. Same for Garvin. If Jones had said at media day that Garvin is a lousy person, that would have dominated media day and eclipsed all other Suns stories. It's also not clear that it would be fruitful, since Garvin is a temporary partner who will be out after this year.

Exactly. What's he supposed to say? No comment? He was asked and responded the right way. We have enough potential distractions. Trashing Garvin right now isn't the answer.

[JeremyG]

I don't see a problem with the comments James Jones made. It's a lot to ask somebody to trash their boss publicly to the media, especially about things Jones himself did not witness. Same for Garvin. If Jones had said at media day that Garvin is a lousy person, that would have dominated media day and eclipsed all other Suns stories. It's also not clear that it would be fruitful, since Garvin is a temporary partner who will be out after this year.

He didn't have to trash or defend Sarver. Same with Garvin. He was not asked about Garvin, he was just asked what the chain of command was.

[INFORMER]

Another one I saw floated online:


Suns: Coby White, Javonte Green
Bulls: Jae Crowder

Yes please.

[INFORMER]

Do we need a PF more or a backup PG ?

Yes.

[INFORMER]

I'm not getting a doom and gloom sense of things just yet and I don't think the offseason was "disastrous". You can't make big moves every offseason and, aside from a KD trade, you're not going to win a title with one trade in July/August.

It's not that the Suns needed to make a big move; they just needed to improve on the glaring holes in this roster. And they didn't. The followed up surrendering a 2-0 lead in the NBA finals with surrendering a 2-0 lead to a significantly inferior opponent in the conference semifinals. The player they've placed all their eggs in can't stay healthy in the playoffs and is getting closer to 40.

So to address these trends that are working against the the team, the GM brings in Jock Landale, Josh Okogie, and Damian Lee.

Yeah, that is mission accomplished.

Maybe disaster is too strong of a word. But at best the offseason was insufficient or lackluster.

[Superbone]

But all of that ignores the fact that Sarver already had a well-known reputation for being a jerk and former players (including James Jones' own teammate Raja Bell) had already told stories about him. That being the case, you would think Jones would not automatically assume that all of the people Baxter interviewed were lying.

Who said he did?! That is preposterous.

That was the implication in his statement defending Sarver last November.

No it wasn't. You read into it what you wanted to. Just like you're doing with Ayton right now.

[Wally_West]

I'm not getting a doom and gloom sense of things just yet and I don't think the offseason was "disastrous". You can't make big moves every offseason and, aside from a KD trade, you're not going to win a title with one trade in July/August.

It's not that the Suns needed to make a big move; they just needed to improve on the glaring holes in this roster. And they didn't. The followed up surrendering a 2-0 lead in the NBA finals with surrendering a 2-0 lead to a significantly inferior opponent in the conference semifinals. The player they've placed all their eggs in can't stay healthy in the playoffs and is getting closer to 40.

So to address these trends that are working against the the team, the GM brings in Jock Landale, Josh Okogie, and Damian Lee.

Yeah, that is mission accomplished.

Maybe disaster is too strong of a word. But at best the offseason was insufficient or lackluster.

This.

And now add in all the drama that seems to be going on, it doesn’t paint it the prettiest of pictures right now.

[INFORMER]

Don’t hate them, but they should’ve just kept The Valley jerseys. Thank goodness for the Barkley throwbacks or I’d be pretty underwhelmed with our jerseys this year.

I hated The Valley jerseys; they looked like something out of a Pac-Man arcade. I like these new statement edition jerseys and I love the Barkley era throwbacks.

[Superbone]

Are we having fun yet?

[JeremyG]

But all of that ignores the fact that Sarver already had a well-known reputation for being a jerk and former players (including James Jones' own teammate Raja Bell) had already told stories about him. That being the case, you would think Jones would not automatically assume that all of the people Baxter interviewed were lying.

Who said he did?! That is preposterous.

That was the implication in his statement defending Sarver last November.

No it wasn't. You read into it what you wanted to. Just like you're doing with Ayton right now.

Put yourself in the position of the victims who gathered up the courage to speak to Baxter, and then you read this from the GM of the team:

"None of what's been said describes the Robert Sarver I know, respect and like—it just doesn't."

As an employee who suffered harm from Sarver, how would reading that make you feel? Would you not feel like he thinks you're making it up?

[INFORMER]

I don't have a problem with a player being honest. It's easy to follow the mob mentality and just trash the guy just so you don't get accused of tolerating or supporting his bad behavior. But if you honestly didn't have that experience, I don't have a problem with someone saying so. Too many are in too much of a rush to paint people as all bad or irredeemable.