Culture
"To watch you guys work, to battle and gain the respect of your peers the way you have on this trip. We're not the Suns of old"
That is a line from Monty Williams' now infamous speech, after the Suns won their 8th game in a row during the NBA Bubble. Throughout the Chris Paul trade, free agency and now media week, that line has not left my head.
Since James Jones became the Suns' General Manager and proceeded to employ Monty Williams as our coach, we've heard Jones and Williams speak about building a culture in nearly every interview they've been apart of. Both guys were NBA players. Both guys have been in the locker rooms. Both guys, I'm sure, have been involved in conversations about other franchises and understand how players feel about playing for franchises with well rooted culture.
One of the main themes of the past week's media availability has continued to be the Suns' culture, however this time also coming from the Suns' new additions via trade and free agency.
James Jones opened the media interviews saying, "The guys that we added this offseason wanted to be in Phoenix", also adding "We have to push our reputation, we have to push our focus forward," when asked about the depth of our role players. With Williams adding, "Dario and JC are culture drivers, they're really good basketball players and I felt like we needed continuity", when asked about re-signing Saric and Carter. That word again 'culture'.
The players have all agreed with this sentiment when asked why they chose to come to Phoenix.
Langston Galloway said that the team has "Right coaching staff. Right players. It’s really a great fit for me so I was like, ‘Hey, let’s take my talents to Phoenix.'"
When asked about the Suns 8-0 run in Orlando, E'Twaun Moore raved, "Everyone took notice" and "That's something I definitely wanted to be a part of."
Jevon commented that "It just felt like family here. I felt like I was wanted here. Even when I went through those stretches when I wasn't playing, it never felt like they didn't want me here."
Of the culture Booker also added, “Guy like Jae wanted to come here. Guy like Chris, a Hall of Fame guy, wanting to come to Phoenix after what we’ve been through for the past five to 10 years. That’s a step forward for this organization. People really see something is brewing over here.” For me this point is the biggest piece of evidence that Jones and Williams' hard work is paying off.
Chris Paul
Wow, are these guys excited to play with Chris Paul.
"I wanted to do a backflip. That's how excited I was", is of course a quote from Deandre Ayton. The always smiling big man wouldn't have been expected to explain this change in the team any other way. "I want to lift more weights. It's go time", he continued.
When asked how CP3 will impact his game Ayton hyped, “You’re having me roll to the basket, you got CP3 coming off in the mid-range area and you got Book weakside corner. It’s crazy. What can you do?”
"It gets very intense."
D-Book is the coolest guy on Earth, so of course he wasn't quite as excitable as Ayton. He spoke about how he and Paul can bring each other's competitive even further (if that's possible) and commented on their training together, "It gets very intense."
Booker has also reiterated Paul's addition to Ayton, “I’ve already pulled Deandre aside a couple of times and be like, 'This is what you needed and this is what I needed also.' That’s saying nothing against any player we’ve played with in the past, but he expects greatness out of us." Deandre is definitely receptive to this, saying “Wherever he wants me, we’re locked and we’re buying in, no questions asked. I’m just ready", showing he's looked forward to Paul's leadership.
CP3 is equally looking forward to working with Ayton out on the floor, “That’s a very important relationship with the big man, especially in the pick-and-roll,” Paul said. “I got a chance to see him working out a little bit (Wednesday). I’m excited to get out there on the court to find out where he likes the ball.”
Coach Monty Williams understands Paul's value, having coached him when the two were together in New Orleans. "“Chris has an ability to make everything around him better" and commented on how their relationship will be different this time round, "There were times I feel like I took the paint brush out of his hand," commenting that they could have found more success in New Orleans had he done just that at the time.
Expectations
With the additions the team have made, us fans are expectedly ready to experience the Playoffs once again, for the first time in over 10 years. There is also added media attention from national media. When a member of ESPN went to ask a question, Monty interjected "We got ESPN? Oh my gosh."
James Jones acknowledged the fan's excitement. "I appreciate their support. The goal is never to just win games, the goal is to win a title, and in order to do that you have to win your division at some point, you have to win in the playoffs. The fans, their expectations for us to win the title. That's the only way I know how to play, that's the only way I played. We don't come in here to just win games."
Mikal Bridges echoed this saying, "We definitely have a lot of expectations to win and win at the highest level. The ultimate goal is to be the last team standing." With Jevon Carter adding, "Realistically? Champions," when asked of the team's realistic potential.
"We definitely have a lot of expectations to win and win at the highest level. The ultimate goal is to be the last team standing."
The two leaders of the team, were a little more conservative when asked about external expectations of the team. When asked D-Book responded, "We’re not going to get too ahead of ourselves of trying to live up to the expectations that everybody has for us,” with Chris Paul adding, “You can put out the predictions, but that’s why we play the games,” Paul said. “We’ve got to build. We’ve got a lot of work to do in a little bit of time.”
Book and CP3 clearly want to not over promise this early on in their partnership. Both players have had high expectations of themselves and teams in the past, that haven't come to fruition, with Booker commenting, “I’m done with not making the playoffs. I’m serious. This is probably my last year ever not making the playoffs," back in 2018. Paul has experienced similar disappointing results after many years of the Clippers aiming for Championships, but ultimately underachieving.
Whatever this team achieves by season's end, it's clear that this will be the most successful season the Suns have had in a long time and I can't wait to experience winning basketball once again.
You can view all of the Suns media availability sessions on the Suns' YouTube channel.
You can also use the code 'SUNSFANSUK' on The Throwback Store to receive a 10% discount on any order you make.
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