NBA lets players mix in politics
The Suns have made several political statements against racism and police brutality over the past five years, more than just wearing customized footwear for Black History Month.
In December, former NBA player, activist and author Etan Thomas came to Talking Stick Resort Arena with Emerald Garner to speak at a Suns players-only meeting.
The nine-year NBA veteran also handed out copies of his third published book, “We Matter: Athletes and Activism.”
Thomas’ intersection sports.
It features interviews with several Basketball Hall of Famers including Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, countless NBA all-stars and the Suns’ Jamal Crawford.
Beyond basketball, the book also addresses the NFL’s collusion case of embattled players Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, as well as discussions book focuses on the of race and politics in
tice facility within the city limits.
Landing the top pick again and selecting Williamson would top that victory.
If you consider Williamson the best thing since LeBron James, his appearance in a Suns uniform would increase the interest in Phoenix beyond its fan base, which has been starving for a successful season.
The Suns could become again.
They’ll sellout the arena. They’ll sell countless jerseys.
They’ll be on national television more than a handful of times — and they’ll become better because Williamson can address their need for a power forward.
If the Suns go small, he could play the five. Williamson would bring an energy and enthusiasm that would resonate through the rest of the players.
Williamson is not only extremely talented, he has a relentless motor to go with it.
People want Williamson in the big markets like New York or Chicago, but why not Phoenix?
After all, it’s the fifth largest city in the United States. Plus, if Williamson goes to the Knicks or the Bulls, he’ll face unworldly pressure to turn those two franchises around right now.
He won’t face that same type of daily pressure in Phoenix.
Igor Kokoskov has been criticized all season, but if there’s one thing he’s learned in his first year as an NBA head coach is how to coach young talent. Williamson is 18. Kokoskov should know by what works and what doesn’t youth.
The tradeoff is Phoenix would become even younger and history has shown young teams struggle to win.
However, if Williamson can come close to making the impact James had when he arrived in Cleveland, the continual growing pains would be well worth it.
This could be a win-win for both the Suns and Williamson with a potential byproduct of drawing in a free-agent point guard.
Kyrie Irving is the top free agent at point guard, but Phoenix has no shot getting him.
Kemba Walker’s next, but the Suns reportedly tried and failed to get him last season.
Nothing has changed for Walker to reconsider.
D’Angelo Russell is Booker’s but he’s a restricted free agent.
Brooklyn shouldn’t want to lose its All-Star.
Eric Bledsoe?
Nah.
Left on bad terms and is now balling with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee with the league’s best record.
Keep going down the free-agent point guard rolodex and stop when you get to Rajon Rondo.
Veteran. Knows how to get everyone involved. Well respected.
He’d set the youngsters straight. Hold them accountable.
He’ll also push the pace to take advantage of the Suns' young legs. And, he’s won a championship. Rondo might see Williamson, Booker, Ayton and Josh Jackson and believe he can be the one who gets that going in the right direction and address Phoenix’s greatest need.
Kokoskov’s offensive relevant
If you consider Williamson the best thing since LeBron James, his appearance in a Suns uniform would increase the interest in Phoenix beyond its fan base, which has been starving for a successful season.
now with guy, system is
5 p.m. (FSAZ) — The Suns (11-49) will look to break their franchise-worst 16 game losing streak with a trip to Atlanta (19-39), where the New York Knicks snapped their own team-worst 18-game losing streak right before the All-Star break. predicated on having a point guard run the show.
Right now, he doesn’t have that player.
The Suns traded for Tyler Johnson, a combo guard who plays hard and defends. He came from a winning culture in Miami, has offensive skills, but is setting career lows with the Suns in points per game (5.5), field goal percentage (20.6%) and 3-point percentage (20%).
He's only been with Phoenix a few games, but it’s been a rough start for him. Maybe it’ll get better and Johnson could work as a backup to someone like Rondo.
Phoenix has now lost a franchiserecord 16 consecutive games after falling Thursday night at Cleveland. The Suns are lottery bound and unless something changes, they’ll be in the running for that top pick.
They have some offseason decisions to make on whether or not to take the interim tag general manager tag off of James Jones.
Then there’s Kokoskov, who was hired by the Suns' former GM Ryan McDonough.
Will the Suns stick with Kokoskov or start fresh — again?
They have got to decide if they want to sign Kelly Oubre Jr., who is playing the best basketball of anyone on the team right now, to a long-term deal this summer.
A lot can happen between now and then, but come June 20, if Phoenix has the top pick they should use it.
The Suns should select a can’t-miss, generational talent and watch the the Zion effect spike interest, improve the team and possibly lead to a proven point guard jumping on the wagon.