Fanning the Flames

It's been a bit, but we are finally back with a new episode of Fanning the Flames. Speaking of being back, Deandre Ayton is also back (well, sorta), and in light of his return, we dive in on whether or not he passes the "eye test." Also, with the Suns being 27 games into their season, we hand out our Malcolm Mackey Awards (named after the greatest player to ever wear #27 for the Phoenix Suns) for:...

On this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, we are joined by special guest Travonne Edwards (@Travonne) from The Athletic. Tray is the co-founder of Count the Dings and co-host of Hear the Deer podcast, and he shares with us his thoughts on the Phoenix Suns, including: The changing culture of the Suns franchise; The value that new faces like Ricky Rubio, Aron Baynes, and Cam Johnson bring to the...

For the better part of the past decade, Phoenix Suns fans have constantly found themselves asking questions about the direction of the team, who the top prospects are in the upcoming draft, etc. This year, the Suns sit at 6-3 overall, have beaten playoff-caliber teams, and have been competitive in all of their games.. So, Suns fans find themselves asking an entirely different set of questions - in...

[Ep. 1] The inaugural pod for The Solar Report network, introducing the expectations of the Phoenix Suns content that will be covered moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 4-2 record that the Suns are sporting is certainly surprising, but perhaps even more surprising is the team's commitment to defense under Monty Williams. Adam Spinella (@Spinella14 on Twitter) recently wrote an article published on The Basketball Writers in which he breaks down some of the intricacies of the Suns' new defensive identity. On this episode of Fanning the Flames, Adam joins Paul a...

The Suns have had what is likely the most surprising start by any NBA team this season. They are sitting at 2-2 (2-1 at the time we recorded) and, frankly, should be 4-0. This week, Justin is joined by special guest host Daniel Duarte (@DDuarte89 on Twitter). Daniel's "claim to fame" (at least from our perspective) is being the ever-so-bold Suns fan who predicted a 44-win season at this year's Sum...

We've been saying for months that the Suns are essentially an entirely new team this season. We have now had the chance to see that new team play four games (albeit preseason games). So, what do we think? We let you know on this episode of Fanning the Flames as we discuss: Who impressed each of us the most during preseason; How the .5 Offense is looking so far and what evidence we've seen that sho...

Basketball season is finally right around the corner.  The players are in place, the staff is in place, and we are all about to see how this process plays out.  As one may expect, the excitement is palpable over at Fanning the Flames.  On this episode, we discuss: - the new Suns jerseys; - Aron Baynes' ability to shoot the 3; - Deandre Ayton playing the 4; - who will round out the back end of the...

For a while now, the Phoenix Suns have been the source of ridicule and bad takes by national - and local - media.  This week has been no exception as we've seen articles questioning whether winning more games will actually be good for the Suns (yes, it will), suggesting the Suns sign Joe Johnson (too little, too late for that one), and identifying potential trade destinations for Devin Booker (rea...

There is not much NBA activity to get excited about in August, but it is the perfect time to start looking forward to the Phoenix Suns' 2019-2020 season.  We do just that in this episode of Fanning the Flames as we discuss: - Whether Kelly Oubre or Mikal Bridges should get the starting nod at small forward; - What Monty Williams' rotations may look like this season; - How much playing time rookies...

After taking a week to recover emotionally from surviving the Great Vegas Earthquake of 2019, Fanning the Flames is back this week to discuss all things Phoenix Suns and NBA (with surprisingly limited tangents).  On this episode, we discuss: - NBA Summer League and the impressions we walked away with (including about Zion Williamson and Tacko Fall); - the Suns re-signing Kelly Oubre (viva la Valle...

Like the rest of the NBA, the Suns were active when free agency started.  On this episode of Fanning the Flames, we break down the Suns' moves and what may be coming in the future, as we discuss: - the Suns signing Ricky Rubio and Frank Kaminsky; - our thoughts on the options the Suns did not land (D'Lo, Brogdon, etc.);; and - whether Kelly Oubre will be back and how much it will cost. As a remind...

As we all know, the Phoenix Suns made a flurry of moves before, during, and after this year's NBA Draft.  Those moves, however, have been universally panned by pundits.  But, in typical Podcast of Optimism fashion, we use this episode of Fanning the Flames to explain why Suns Nation needs to R-E-L-A-X, as we discuss each of the moves made by the Suns on draft day: - trading TJ Warren to the Pacers...

Mike Prada, Ben Epstein and Ricky O’Donnell host a recap of this year’s SB Nation NBA Bloggers’ Mock Draft. In addition to going through the picks that were made and discussing fits of certain prospects on certain teams, the guys also talked with Sabreena Merchant (18:20) about the Lakers’ trade for Anthony Davis and the Clippers’ free agent aspirations. Later, they welcome Joe Mullinax (29:00) to...

The NBA season is officially over.  The NBA Finals were ridiculous.  Klay Thompson pulled a mini-Willis Reed (look it up, kids).  And here we are, as Suns fans, wondering what this all means for our team  In this episode, we discuss: - What the Finals and the KD and Klay injuries mean for the Suns; - Suns pointguard options (again); - Igor finding a landing spot; - Why everyone needs to come to Su...

Summertime in the NBA for us Suns fans leaves little to do besides speculate and hope the Suns will sometime soon be a team still competing into May and (dare we say) June.  In this episode of Fanning the Flames, we spend some time speculating on things that are relevant to your Phoenix Suns and (TBH) speculating on things that perhaps are not so relevant to the Suns.  We discuss: - Potential trad...

The Suns have landed their head coach and, of course, Fanning the Flames will not miss the chance to lay out thoughts on the new hire.  In addition to discussing Monty Williams, on this episode of the pod, we discuss: - The fact that the Suns not only landed their top choice for head coach, but they outdueled the Lakers for their guy; - Whether the front office had a plan in place when they fired...

Now that we know what the front office is going to look like moving forward, the question then becomes, what are they going to do to improve the team?  Fanning the Flames has you covered this week as we discuss: - The Suns hiring Jeff Bower as the Senior VP of Basketball Operations; - James Jones officially being named GM; - The absurdity going on with the Lakers and Kings; - Assuming it does not...

The Suns are limping toward the end of the season (literally and figuratively).  With that being the case, on this episode of Fanning the Flames, we look to the future and reflect upon the season that was.  This week, we discuss: - The Suns' search for a GM, including Jim Paxson and Kevin McHale's names being mentioned; - Our biggest surprises of the season; - Our biggest disappointments of the se...

Devin Booker is making history and creating excitement in what would otherwise be a less than exciting end to another Suns season.  So, if you're a Devin Booker fan, then strap in because we talk a lot of Book in this episode of Fanning the Flames.  This week, we discuss: - Booker's back-to-back 50+ point games, his efficiency, and his evolution as a player; - What the hell Jimmer Fredette was thi...

The Suns have gone 1-3 since our last episode, which didn't feel so bad thanks to an exciting win over the Golden State Warriors.  In this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, we discuss those four games, and also get into: - Our amazing Valley Boyz logo, which you can give your eyes the privilege of viewing here; - Deandre Ayton's comments after his dismal performance against the Utah Jazz; - Th...

Negative media attention is followed by some wins from the Suns.  Hey, we'll take it!  On this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, we discuss: - The Suns' recent 4-1 burst (since we stole some of the Nuggets' mojo); - How much the Suns need to keep Kelly Oubre this offseason, and his desire to stay; - The recent ESPN stories on the Suns, Robert Sarver, and James Jones. Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhi...

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...