Phx-Suns.Net

"Stay on your feet, youngin'!"

3 Suns whose stock dramatically improved after media day
Starting the season off the right way.

https://valleyofthesuns.com/3-suns-stoc ... ks-maluach

Dillon Brooks confirms there is a "Villain Jr." on Phoenix Suns' roster
Any ideas who it could be?

https://valleyofthesuns.com/dillon-broo ... n-ighodaro

Jordan Ott on Nigel Hayes-Davis: “He’s as smart of a player as I’ve ever been around IQ-wise”

Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott was very impressed with the offseason that Nigel Hayes-Davis had.

Amanda Pflugrad: “Talking to Nigel on Media Day: he said he wants to be the first guy in, coming in as early as he can. What have you seen from his work ethic so far?”

Ott: “That is the truth. He definitely did it every day of the offseason. I think it’s not only just physically and getting himself going, but it’s the mental that he can do it: be an early riser, be a hard worker. He fought his way back into the NBA. I think if you talk to him, he’s trying to figure out how exactly that looks for him. He’s as smart of a player as I’ve ever been around IQ-wise on both ends that he’s gonna figure out how to get himself on the floor and make an impact. I think it starts by his offseason workouts, but it’s gonna translate. It’s gonna click for him.”

Thanks for posting all the clips, Bone!

Those Dillon Brooks clips are interesting. The intensity, communication, hustle are great. But then he's doing some stuff like getting right in guys' faces, shoving, stuff that we have unspoken rules that you don't do in practices and scrimmages. I bet that gets old fast. Overall I do like it and like that we have some "dawgs" on the team again. Big turnaround from the much maligned "unbothered" era.

I think it's a breath of fresh air and with the young guys on the team, will push them and show them the intensity that's needed. I don't think he's crossing the line (but what do I know) and it might be annoying but I don't think it's anything that will cause lockerroom issues.

I think it's very intentional to teach his teammates how to play against their opponents. I agree with Shel's breath of fresh air comment. Last year, we showed zero defensive resistance. This will definitely be a breath of fresh air if we play this way once the real games begin. Give no quarter!

Oh hey look a player with a pulse!

Speaking of Dillon Brooks...

New Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks brings more than villain persona
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 394572007/

Key points:

• Brooks knows there is more to him beyond his reputation as a villain, but he’s totally fine with how people tend to view him.

• Averaging 14 points and shooting a career-high 39.7% from 3 last season, Brooks is gearing up for his ninth season looking to be a difference maker on his third team.

• Brooks made the all-defensive second team in his last year in Memphis in 2022-23 as the Grizzlies were third in the NBA in defensive rating.

Man, I just love how intelligent Khaman is for a (barely) 19-year-old rookie. He's got a great head on his shoulders.

Thanks Bone, you're killing it with all these great links and videos. Really fun to look through these. Can't help but get excited for the season.

This is pretty optimistic about Fleming. I hope my initial assessment of his play in Summer League was totally off and he turns into a legit high level NBA contributor.

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 30, 2025 6:37 am

Thanks Bone, you're killing it with all these great links and videos. Really fun to look through these. Can't help but get excited for the season.

My pleasure. I am cautiously optimistic. Of course the whole thing could come crashing down quickly but I really don't think so. Win or lose, I think we're going to be a fun team to watch trying to play the right way. If nothing else, it should be a breath of fresh air from what we witnessed the last couple seasons. And all this youth on the team really helps with the enthusiasm. They have it and it is contagious.

Also, I have been very impressed with Coach Ott. For a new head coach, he is very poised and good with the media. He provides actual content and good answers. It appears that he has a great plan in place for the team and how to approach it each day.

Here's to a Mercury-like turnaround over the next couple of seasons. We're going to have to be patient though as it's not likely to happen overnight.