Fanning the Flames

Sixteen losses in a row makes the snow here in Phoenix today seem kind of poetic.  But in times like these, we don't get down, we get creative.  So, this week we bring in friend of the pod, scratch golfer, and - most importantly - Nuggets fan Bill McElroy.  Why is it important that he's a Nuggets fan?  Well, the Suns aren't winning on their own, so maybe we can steal some mojo from his Nuggets. Li...

What is more surprising, the Kristaps Porzingis trade or Fanning the Flames coming at you two weeks in a row?  We say it's a toss-up.  Regardless, on this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, we talk the Phoenix Suns and - as we are prone to do - much, much more.  This episode's topics include: - The Suns-Spurs game and Gregg Popovich's post-game comments; - Comparisons between Popovich/the Spurs...

Things have been interesting for the Suns both on and off the court over the last week.  On this episode of Fanning the Flames, we get into all of that (and more), including: - Mike Conley being on the trade block and whether we see him as a fit on the Suns; - the Phoenix City Counsel approving the use of funds to improve Talking Stick Resort Arena and why people should (and should not) be so up i...

In this Holiday Episode* of Fanning the Flames, we are joined by Raffael Rosa (@_raffaelrosa), who is in town all the way from Australia.  We recorded this episode after taking in the Suns v. Thunder game, so we discuss the pluses and minuses we saw in that game, along with: - the team leadership and development since fully committing to the youth movement (Jamal Crawford is young at heart); -  th...

Have you ever seen the movie "What About Bob?"  If you haven't, you should, because right now the Suns are our own real-life version of Bob Wiley.  They're taking baby steps.  Over the past few weeks, we've seen improvements - albeit small improvements.  While we may not be seeing wins yet, the team is trending in the right direction.   Will the Suns keep trending in the right direction?  We let y...

The Suns are 0-6 since their opening night win against the Dallas Mavericks, and those six losses have not been pretty.  The team is turning the ball over far too much, and most everyone not named Booker, Warren, or Ayton is struggling to put the ball in the basket.  The forecast for your Phoenix Suns certainly looks gloomy... But, here on Fanning the Flames we like to think that every cloud has a...

What a performance on opening night by the Phoenix Suns.  Is Devin Booker an MVP candidate?  Is Deandre Ayton going to win Rookie of the Year?  Is this team going to make the greatest single season turnaround in NBA history?  OK, OK, we're getting way ahead of ourselves.  But, the Suns' dominating win over the Dallas Mavericks on opening night was a positive step that all Suns fans have been waiti...

Ryan McDonough is out.  James Jones is in.  Robert Sarver continues his meddling.  It has been yet another "interesting" week for Suns fans.  So, on this episode of Fanning the Flames, we discuss all of the chaos in the world of the Phoenix Suns, including: - Our thoughts on the timing and circumstances of McDonough being fired; - What to expect from James Jones as interim (and likely full-time) G...

We finally have real(ish) basketball to watch!  As Suns fans who are starving to see the team succeed, it is only natural to pick apart the performances we've seen - even if it is only through two preseason games.  On this episode of Fanning the Flames, we do just that by discussing: - Deandre Ayton's impressive play thusfar;  - Which Suns players look good (besides Ayton) and which look not so go...

Real life basketball is getting closer, Suns fans!  As we near the NBA season, on this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, we discuss: - Who we expect to see (and who we want to see) starting at point guard for the Suns; - The Jimmy Butler saga and how it may play into the Suns' hands; and - Early returns from training camp. Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheF...

The Suns offseason has become quite interesting over the past couple weeks.  Unfortunately, the net result leaves many more questions than answers as we near the NBA season: - What does Devin Booker's surgery mean for the team?   - Where does trading Brandon Knight leave the Suns in regard to the point guard position?   - What are the Suns going to do about the glut of wings? - Does Devin Booker r...

Have you been on the edge of your seat awaiting the special mailbag edition of Fanning the Flames?  Well, wait no longer.  The mailbag edition is here.  You asked the questions and we are here to give you our answers.  Will something give between Josh Jackson, TJ Warren, and Mikal Bridges?  What are the Suns going to do at point guard?  Will the Suns make a trade?  Which Arizona team will have a b...

It's been a bit, but Paul and Justin return with the latest episode of Fanning the Flames.  In this episode, the self-annointed "Podcast of Optimism" lives up to the title as the guys discuss: - Jared Dudley's comments regarding the franchise's apparent lack of direction; - Phoenix as a destination for the free agent class of 2019; and - Their expectations for the upcoming season and where those e...

In this edition of Fanning the Flames, Paul and Justin check in before their annual trek to the Las Vegas Summer League and discuss: - The signing of Trevor Ariza and what role he can play on the team; - The drama surrounding the release of Tyler Ulis and its tie-in to Devin Booker's forthcoming extension;and - What options still exist for the Suns at point guard. If you're going to the Las Vegas...

With the 2018 NBA Draft in the rearview mirror, Paul and Justin check in with a special draft recap episode of Fanning the Flames.  Everyone has probably heard everything that needs to be said about Deandre Ayton, so the guys focus on the other picks the team made.  Check out their thoughts on: - The trade that brought Mikal Bridges to the Suns and whether the Suns paid too much to move up; - How...

The Fanning the Flames Podcast officially declared June 6 to be Deandre Ayton Day for Suns Nation.  So, of course, Paul and Justin needed to check in and share their thoughts on the press conference following Deandre Ayton's workout with the Phoenix Suns.   Not the types to stay on a single topic, the guys also delve into the Bryan Colangelo situation, the history of NBA prospects refusing to work...

The Suns FINALLY received some love from Lady Luck and landed the #1 pick in this year's NBA Draft!  So, of course, in this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, Paul and Justin give their reactions to landing the coveted #1 spot and also: - Weigh in on the Ayton/Doncic debate; - Share their thoughts on the strengths, weaknesses, and career projections of each player; - Give some history on the Su...

Welcome to the latest installment of Fanning the Flames.  With the Suns hiring Igor Kokoskov as their new head coach, Paul and Justin welcome special guest Dave King to the pod to discuss: - Strengths, weaknesses, and questions regarding the Suns' new head coach; - Who we may see filling out the Suns' coaching staff; - How the hiring of Kokoskov may impact the Suns' draft plans; and - Potential of...

The season is finally over for the Suns, so the guys at Fanning the Flames start delving into the offseason.  This week, Paul and Justin discuss: - the coin flip to determine whether the Suns get the Bucks' 1st round pick this year, and whether they want three firsts; - whether the Suns will extend Devin Booker this offseason or next offseason; - the maturation of Brandon Knight and his role on th...

Welcome to the newest edition of Fanning the Flames.  This week, Paul and Justin expand on last week's predictions of who on the Suns' current roster will and will not be on the team next year by playing GM.  Each guy sits in the GM chair and takes the Suns through the entire offseason, including the draft, trades, and free agency.   Listen in and see what they come up with.  Agree?  Disagree?  Le...

On this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, Paul and Justin: - Run down the Suns roster and give their takes on which players will still be on the team next season; - Discuss the Suns' willingness to open the checkbook for the right coach; and - Share their thoughts on some of the Suns' head coach targets. Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitte...

In this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, Paul and Justin discuss: - The team's position in the tank race; - The likelihood that the Suns will end up with multiple first round draft picks this year; and - If the Suns end up with multiple first round picks, what options the team has, including possibly trading current and future picks and potential mid-first round targets. Hit up Paul (@Dervish...

Well, Paul and Justin are finally recovered from the megapod, so they are back with this week's episode of Fanning the Flames.  Highlights from the episode include: -  The Suns being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs for the 8th consecutive season; - Justin gives a brief history lesson about the success the Suns had before this playoff drought; - The developing rapport between Devin Book...

In this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, Paul and Justin discuss: - The start of the Elfrid Payton era and how the trade affects the Suns' salary cap situation; - Other trades around the NBA and the overall cap situation in the NBA; - The potential of bringing Elfrid Payton back after this season; and - The Suns' remaining schedule and how many wins they expect the team to finish with. Though...

In this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, Paul and Justin discuss: - Their thoughts on the Marquese Chriss suspension and what it says about Chriss and the team; - Whether the Suns should target Aaron Gordon in a trade and, if so, what the team should be willing to give up for him; - Giving Devin Booker a little extra time off to get fully healthy; and - Other potential trade ideas. Keep up wi...