The Phoenix Suns Have An Identity For The First Time In Years And They Used It PERFECTLY In China!
The Phoenix Suns are building a defensive fortress. But can it withstand the NBA’s offensive onslaught?
Benjamin Garcia breaks down the Suns’ preseason games in China, revealing a team reborn through gritty defense. From Grayson Allen’s sharpshooting to Nick Richards’ rebounding prowess, Garcia analyzes standout performances and potential lineup shakeups. He explores the Suns’ evolving identity, questioning Oso Igbodaro’s fit and praising Kamal Malawatch’s rapid development.
Tune in for an insider’s look at how the Suns’ newfound defensive focus could reshape their season and challenge the NBA’s offensive powerhouses.
0:00 Intro: Suns split games in China
5:10 Suns’ defensive identity shines through
10:47 Players standing out for right and wrong reasons
15:52 Evaluating Nigel Hayes-Davis and rookies
25:05 Ighodaro fit and Khaman Maluach’s progress
29:11 Jordan Goodwin likely to make roster
📲 Follow Locked On Suns on TikTok
Locked On Suns https://www.tiktok.com/@lockedonphxsuns?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
📲 Follow Locked On Suns on Instagram
Locked On Suns https://www.instagram.com/lockedonphxsuns/
📲 Follow Locked On Suns on X
Locked On Suns https://x.com/LockedOnPHXSuns
Ben Garcia https://x.com/BenGarciaShow
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOSuns?sid=YouTube
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Wayfair
Get organized, refreshed, and back to routine for way less. Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.
Peloton
Let yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at https://monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year
FanDuel
Right now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting https://FanDuel.com to get started
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
14 Comments
Nick Richards Oso Grayson O'Neal goodwin brooks. Stood out to me
Dunn was good man man is trying i believe next year hopefully will dominate 🤞
Book is book lets go suns
Duke jr give us the lost today
They look loose and having fun. Zero tension, motivated, and much to prove. Never underestimate a team with nothing to lose. I'm feeling the fun so far. If we can make the play in? That's a huge first step. As bad as Ishbia's moves have been so far, he still has deep pockets and the will spend.
How is a starting 5 supposed to meld when 2 of them don't play. I understand if they are injured but this seems kind of precautionary.
Ben give Oso credit when it’s due! 2-3 from the free throw line this morning!
Who was to blame for the loss? Was Jared Budley hero balling again?
The problem with your assessment is that you are minimizing the offensive firepower this team has. We don’t have the midrange threat like we used to but remember, Beal wasn’t much of a threat because he was always out. Defensively he was also a liability. Losing KD definitely hurts but id say the suns are not bad offensively. Just need guys to develop some moves.
Maluach is 2 years away, he looks like a baby deer he was doing that against 3rd stringers. He will get there going to take time. Williams and richards are easily 2 best centers and its not close.
The Suns identity is a lottery team that has mortgaged its future to the Houston Rockets. The Suns will finish between 13th – 15th overall in the Western Conference.
Loving brooks and books vibes
NHD has been solid defensively so far. He's always in the right spots. His offense hasn't clicked but once he figures out where he'll get his looks, he'll fit in just fine. As far as Butler goes he'll do what Etwan moore did for us in 20-21. He looks better handling the ball than Gillespie and Goodwin. Butler fits well with Book. Goodwin isn't that good. That's why he's usually buried on the bench. We'll see how they perform in the next preseason game.
Love Maluach.
Suns had one of the best off-seasons in the entire league.
Richards looks exactly like he got boosted by Ott, just like Allen has looked great while he's been CLE. Makes me so excited for Mark Wil assuming health
I understand your point about the offense, but Green has not even stepped on the court yet, or Williams we have yet to see this team fully equipped, Green is going to open up so much on the offensive end because both him and Book will be drawing double teams and they can both create their own shot, that will help with some of those offensive concerns