Phoenix Suns admit they were bullied by Jazz in 18-point loss
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Earl Watson on expectations during scrimmage | 0:48
Suns coach Earl Watson on his expectations for his team ahead of a scrimmage at training camp.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Eric Bledsoe talks at Suns camp | 0:57
Suns guard Eric Bledsoe on pushing through fatigue at training camp and the team’s talent.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns coach Earl Watson talks at Suns camp | 0:49
Suns coach Earl Watson on camp conditioning, Dragan Bender’s play.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Earl Watson on state of Suns players at camp | 0:38
“Overall everyone seems healthy and that’s positive,” the Suns coach said.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Dragan Bender discusses his mindset at Suns camp | 0:30
The Phoenix Suns forward is eager to improve in his season NBA season.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Devin Booker on Suns training camp | 0:53
Suns guard Devin Booker talks about his goals entering his third season with the Suns as training camp begins. Scott Bordow/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson | 0:54
Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson talks about the team’s commitment this season, and the players who spent their off-seasons living in the Phoenix area and working out as a group. Scott Bordow/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Phoenix Suns training camp Day 1 | 0:32
The Phoenix Suns run the three-man weave as the team’s training camp opens in Flagstaff. Scott Bordow/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Phoenix Suns Devin Booker at Media Day | 1:57
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker talks about his game, his idol and hopes for this season during press conference at Phoenix Suns Media Day Talking Stick Resort Arena, Monday, September 25, 2017. Tom Tingle/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns’ Jared Dudley on reaction to President Trump | 1:38
Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley talks about the controversy surrounding statements made by President Trump about players not standing for the national anthem. Dudley spoke at the Suns media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena, September 25, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Greg Moore interviews Suns owner Robert Sarver | 2:09
Greg Moore of azcentral sports interviews Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, Wednesday, September 20, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Scott Bordow interviews Suns center Alan Williams | 2:28
Scott Bordow of azcentral sports interviews Phoenix Suns center Alan Williams, Wednesday, September 20, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Phoenix Suns Charities donates $1 million | 1:40
Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver announces that Phoenix Suns Charities is donating $1 million to renovate 50 neighborhood basketball courts in Arizona in honor of the 50th anniversary of the NBA franchise.. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns unveil ‘Statement Edition’ uniform | 0:29
Eric Bledsoe shows off the new Nike Statement Edition uniform for the Suns.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Markelle Fultz thinks Sixers are playoff bound | 0:59
No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz is confident his team is primed for big things this season. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: ASU QB fail? Suns ‘lose’ Kyrie | 2:08
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley weigh in on ASU’s quarterback situation and the Suns not trading for Kyrie Irving.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: LeBron-Bledsoe link may help Suns | 2:02
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the latest on Kyrie Irving in Cleveland and the ramifications it could hold for Phoenix.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Jackson included in Irving rumors | 2:04
azcentral sports’ Dan Bickley and Jay Dieffenbach have different opinions on including Josh Jackson in a deal for Cavaliers’ star Kyrie Irving. They share their thoughts in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Kyrie Irving to Suns? | 1:58
Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach talk Phoenix Suns trade rumors and Cardinals camp in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Robert Sarver discusses Suns’ arena situation | 1:40
Suns’ Robert Sarver discusses his team’s arena situation during a press conference on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: NBA Summer League taking toll? | 2:02
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss the NBA Summer League and the Diamondbacks in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Mike James on his 32-point performance in loss to Grizzlies | 2:32
Suns guard Mike James on his high-quality performance in a summer-league loss to Memphis.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Summer Suns coach Marlon Garnett discusses Phoenix’s win | 1:25
Suns summer league coach Marlon Garnett talks about Phoenix’s first-round win over the Jazz in the NBA Summer League tournament on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Josh Jackson on his increasing comfort | 2:37
Suns first-rounder Josh Jackson talks about the Suns’ first-round win in the NBA Summer League tournament in Vegas on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Marquese Chriss on Suns’ defensive effort | 1:55
Suns forward Marquese Chriss talks about the Suns’ first-round win over the Jazz in the NBA Summer League tournament in Vegas on Wednesday. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns? | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Sarah McLellan talk about the playoff odds for the Diamondbacks and the Suns as well as a big upcoming fight in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk Summer League | 1:18
Phoenix Suns draft picks Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk about the NBA Summer League as the squad prepares to depart for Las Vegas.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Josh Jackson fits with Suns | 1:59
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss Josh Jackson and the Suns and the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement? | 2:05
Mark Faller and Dan Bickley discuss how the Suns handled free agency in a loaded West and the Diamondbacks’ options when it comes to rolling the dice on the trade market with the Dodgers in command of the West.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns rookie Josh Jackson on first summer league practice | 1:21
Suns first-rounder Josh Jackson discusses Phoenix’s first summer league practice on Tuesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Doug Haller/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Suns’ Bender, Chriss address expectations for Summer League | 2:30
Second-year Suns players Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss offer some insight into what the Suns’ expectations are heading into the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas after practice on Tuesday. Richard Morin/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS What to expect from Suns in NBA free agency | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss what the Suns might do when the NBA free agency period begins Friday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Why did Josh Jackson not work out for Boston? | 2:20
Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough and Josh Jackson discuss why the team’s No. 4 overall pick decided not to work out for the Celtics, who had the No. 3 pick.
Suns Davon Reed and Alec Peters talk Summer League
Shot Clock: Josh Jackson fits with Suns
Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?
Suns rookie Josh Jackson on first summer league practice
Suns’ Bender, Chriss address expectations for Summer League
What to expect from Suns in NBA free agency
Why did Josh Jackson not work out for Boston?
Less than 24 hours after they were beaten up on their home floor by the Utah Jazz, the Suns’ players and coaches came to the same conclusion:
They didn’t play with the kind of energy or physicality needed to win an NBA game.
“I think they were the aggressor,” said guard Devin Booker, who sat out Tuesday’s practice with a sore left knee that he banged in the 120-102 loss. “They came out from the tip-off and hit us first and we didn’t respond. We’ve got to come in with a better attitude, a better mindset and not take the game for granted. Coach said, ‘If you come in here and cheat on the game, the game will show you what you deserve.’ That’s what we did. We didn’t have any energy.”
Coach Earl Watson used the term “bullying” to describe how the Jazz took the Suns out of their offensive game and that Phoenix can expect other, more experienced teams to try to break their spirit.
“I think Utah did a great job applying pressure, just using their strength and athleticism to take us out of a lot of our sets,” Watson said. “It’s a great opportunity and our young guys will grow from it. Sometimes it can look like the situation is pretty overwhelming but it’s an opportunity to grow.”
Center Tyson Chandler admitted his body check on Utah guard Raul Neto in the second quarter – resulting in a flagrant foul 2 and his ejection – was not just a reaction to Neto hitting him in the stomach earlier in the possession but a message to his teammates that they can’t be 99-pound weaklings.
“We can’t let anybody come out on the court and bully us,” Chandler said. “That can’t happen. Regardless, home or on the road we always have to be the aggressor.”
Position battle?
Point guard Mike James was one of the few Suns who played well Monday with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 18 minutes. In Phoenix’s preseason opener against the Jazz he had 11 points, four assists and three steals in 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, second-year point guard Tyler Ulis played just seven minutes and 40 seconds and was 0 for 2 from the field. It’s been assumed that Ulis, who averaged 16.1 points, 8.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 15 starts last season, would be the backup to Eric Bledsoe at point guard.
But Watson said after Monday’s game: “We have two starters. That’s Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker. Everything else is up for grabs, even playing time. You can’t feel entitled, especially on a team that’s so young.”
Watson praised James’ aggressiveness.
“He did a great job of pushing the pace,” Watson said. “No matter what the minutes were, he competed and took steps forward.”
Too many turnovers
James said Phoenix’s 32 turnovers Monday – which led to 46 Utah points – were a result of impatience on the offensive end.
“Mental mistakes,” he said. “I think since we’re so young sometimes when we get down we try to play hero ball instead of getting into our stuff. I think that might be normal for a young team. Just have to work on it. Sometimes it’s a step that comes with growing pains.”
Westbrook comparison
Rookie forward Josh Jackson filled up the box score Monday with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot. He was 3 of 4 from 3-point range – and had seven turnovers. Watson said it reminded him of Russell Westbrook’s rookie season for Oklahoma City.
“Very exciting to watch,” Watson said. “Shooting the ball great from (3-point range). We knew that would eventually would happen. It’s before we thought it would happen. And sometimes, like Russ, it leads to turnovers. Reminds me of Russ but his future is bright. We want to encourage him to see the game. He moves so fast. Just slow down and make decisions.”