Suns media day/ training camp thread - 2021/2022

[Ghost of Kleine]

Just a new thread for all things connected to the suns training camp, media day and upcoming season.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) Tweeted:
Monty Williams on his expectations for this season: "I'm sure the natural inclination is to do everything you can to get back to where you left, but in my mind, that's something you can't do." Said they have to focus on what they do, like they've always done

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) Tweeted:
Monty Williams said the focus is always on a championship, but the Suns will stay locked in on their process.

"I think we go back to ground zero. We don't skip steps."

Read on Twitter

?s=20

A little confused on this comment honestly about going back to ground zero? He's saying that they don't skip steps, But isn't that what they actually did by exceeding expectations and making it to the finals??

Are we still going all in, Or are we going to focus on further internal development? I'd like to think they explore a happy medium of sorts wherein they continue to go all in with our core, But ALSO look to add critical low cost talent along the fringes of our roster to sustain a consistent influx of competitive talent that is still cost controlled.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) Tweeted:
Mikal Bridges said he took some time off after the Finals and then got back in the gym. Said he's been working on his handle more and getting stronger

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) Tweeted:
Mikal Bridges said he had a lifting plan this summer to put a little more muscle on. Said it’s tough for him to put on muscle, but he knows he’s gotten stronger https://t.co/UHEr5Ekpbo

Read on Twitter

?s=20

This sounds really awesome for sure! But hearing that he's committed to adding strength and working on his ballhandling makes me feel that we should prioritize getting him secured contractually ASAP before his value really escalates this season and into restricted free agency next summer!

[Ghost of Kleine]

Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) Tweeted:
I asked Monty about Fois and in classic Monty fashion he proceeded to rag on him. Monty would show up to the gym at any hour and see Fois there and would question if he had any friends or other people in his life. Added UA got a good one with an unreal work ethic.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Ghost of Kleine]

Phoenix Suns (@Suns) Tweeted:
2021 SUNS MEDIA DAY

#ValleyProud https://t.co/MjttuX7SVd

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Phoenix Suns (@Suns) Tweeted:
Playmakers https://t.co/Q1XjiEoCoC

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Phoenix Suns (@Suns) Tweeted:
The twins! https://t.co/7ob3CBKJCn

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Phoenix Suns (@Suns) Tweeted:
The new guys https://t.co/cNGB3hu6oS

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Phoenix Suns (@Suns) Tweeted:
https://t.co/7qf6ZgKOXP

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Phoenix Suns (@Suns) Tweeted:
https://t.co/ITatAMeBUI

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[lilfishi22]

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) Tweeted:
Monty Williams on his expectations for this season: "I'm sure the natural inclination is to do everything you can to get back to where you left, but in my mind, that's something you can't do." Said they have to focus on what they do, like they've always done

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) Tweeted:
Monty Williams said the focus is always on a championship, but the Suns will stay locked in on their process.

"I think we go back to ground zero. We don't skip steps."

Read on Twitter

?s=20

A little confused on this comment honestly about going back to ground zero? He's saying that they don't skip steps, But isn't that what they actually did by exceeding expectations and making it to the finals??

Are we still going all in, Or are we going to focus on further internal development? I'd like to think they explore a happy medium of sorts wherein they continue to go all in with our core, But ALSO look to add critical low cost talent along the fringes of our roster to sustain a consistent influx of competitive talent that is still cost controlled.

He meant not to skip step like take games off because they have the "eye on the prize". In the same way Lebron teams tend to coast at different times of the regular season and even in the early rounds of the playoffs before they start to wake up. Monty is basically saying he's going to treat this season like the previous last two season and to stay locked in, focused, build chemistry game by game and playing/coaching every game as if it's as important as a Finals game. I don't think he means in terms of going back to being a rat team and focusing solely on developing guys. We are still going on all

[Ghost of Kleine]

Spoiler:

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) Tweeted:
Monty Williams on his expectations for this season: "I'm sure the natural inclination is to do everything you can to get back to where you left, but in my mind, that's something you can't do." Said they have to focus on what they do, like they've always done

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) Tweeted:
Monty Williams said the focus is always on a championship, but the Suns will stay locked in on their process.

"I think we go back to ground zero. We don't skip steps."

Read on Twitter

?s=20

A little confused on this comment honestly about going back to ground zero? He's saying that they don't skip steps, But isn't that what they actually did by exceeding expectations and making it to the finals??

Are we still going all in, Or are we going to focus on further internal development? I'd like to think they explore a happy medium of sorts wherein they continue to go all in with our core, But ALSO look to add critical low cost talent along the fringes of our roster to sustain a consistent influx of competitive talent that is still cost controlled.

He meant not to skip step like take games off because they have the "eye on the prize". In the same way Lebron teams tend to coast at different times of the regular season and even in the early rounds of the playoffs before they start to wake up. Monty is basically saying he's going to treat this season like the previous last two season and to stay locked in, focused, build chemistry game by game and playing/coaching every game as if it's as important as a Finals game. I don't think he means in terms of going back to being a rat team and focusing solely on developing guys. We are still going on all

Most excellent!
I can totally get behind that.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Dave King (@DaveKingNBA) Tweeted:
Suns Media Day recap show https://t.co/V4iC4OXj69

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Ghost of Kleine]

JamesJones

Watch on YouTube

Monty Williams

Watch on YouTube

Chris Paul

Watch on YouTube

DeAndre Ayton

Watch on YouTube

Mikal Bridges

Watch on YouTube

Javale McGee

Watch on YouTube

Abdel Nader

Watch on YouTube

Landry Shamet

Watch on YouTube

[bwgood77]

I think that ground zero thing is just continuing to focus on core fundamentals. Not just figure you are a finals team that needs some fine tuning. It's very had to get back unless you are some kind of super team, and then it's still not always that easy unless you are LeBron or Jordan in the east.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jalen Smith

Watch on YouTube

Cam Johnson

Watch on YouTube

Jae Crowder

Watch on YouTube

Cameron Payne

Watch on YouTube

Chasson Randle

Watch on YouTube

Frank Kaminsky

Watch on YouTube

James Jones ( FULL INTERVIEW)

Watch on YouTube

Elfrid Payton

Watch on YouTube

Dario Saric

Watch on YouTube

Chandler Hutchinson

Watch on YouTube

[lilfishi22]

It's so weird when the reporter asked CP3 whether he was fully vaccinated (straight forward question), his answer wasn't yes. He took such a roundabout way to confirm he was by saying, "I'm here..I'm here, I'm here at media day, you know the rules" - implying to he had to be fully vaccinated in order to be there.

.....like why is it such a big deal to just say yeah I am, moving on

[MrVince]

It's so weird when the reporter asked CP3 whether he was fully vaccinated (straight forward question), his answer wasn't yes. He took such a roundabout way to confirm he was by saying, "I'm here..I'm here, I'm here at media day, you know the rules" - implying to he had to be fully vaccinated in order to be there.

.....like why is it such a big deal to just say yeah I am, moving on

I'm starting to think there's a contingent of players that have agreed they won't reveal their vaccination status so as to preserve a bit of privacy around vaccination status of unvaxxed players, who can also take the vague stance when responding to the question. It's not exactly a fool proof strategy though because eventually we'll be able to infer who has and hasn't been vaccinated quite easily.

[lilfishi22]

It's so weird when the reporter asked CP3 whether he was fully vaccinated (straight forward question), his answer wasn't yes. He took such a roundabout way to confirm he was by saying, "I'm here..I'm here, I'm here at media day, you know the rules" - implying to he had to be fully vaccinated in order to be there.

.....like why is it such a big deal to just say yeah I am, moving on

I'm starting to think there's a contingent of players that have agreed they won't reveal their vaccination status so as to preserve a bit of privacy around vaccination status of unvaxxed players, who can also take the vague stance when responding to the question. It's not exactly a fool proof strategy though because eventually we'll be able to infer who has and hasn't been vaccinated quite easily.

Might have some legs to that theory. But it is perplexing when this contingent of players are sending out this kind of questionable message to the basketball fanbase just to protect <10% of the players? I think I read it was like 10% that weren't vaccinated but I could be wrong. It's especially astounding when it's one of the longest (if not the longest) serving president of the NBPA.

[Revived]

It's so weird when the reporter asked CP3 whether he was fully vaccinated (straight forward question), his answer wasn't yes. He took such a roundabout way to confirm he was by saying, "I'm here..I'm here, I'm here at media day, you know the rules" - implying to he had to be fully vaccinated in order to be there.

.....like why is it such a big deal to just say yeah I am, moving on

I think it’s because some of the vaccinated players are ashamed of being vaccinated. They didn’t want to be vaccinated in the first place but only did it to avoid the very strict rules the league has for unvaccinated players (constant covid testing, restrictions to hangout with family or friends, restrictions to go to social events etc).

LeBron James beat around the bush rather than to confirm he’s vaccinated even though he very most likely is.

The players like LeBron and CP3 and many others don’t want to influence others to get vaccinated.

I hope that changes at some point.

[Jarlaxle0204]

I could listen to Cam Johnson talk about stuff for hours. Jae Crowder's interview was also revealing. He seems like such a real dude. Love the makeup of our team again this year. Such a good group of guys. Looking forward to starting this up again.

[Revived]

It's so weird when the reporter asked CP3 whether he was fully vaccinated (straight forward question), his answer wasn't yes. He took such a roundabout way to confirm he was by saying, "I'm here..I'm here, I'm here at media day, you know the rules" - implying to he had to be fully vaccinated in order to be there.

.....like why is it such a big deal to just say yeah I am, moving on

I think it’s because some of the vaccinated players are ashamed of being vaccinated. They didn’t want to be vaccinated in the first place but only did it to avoid the very strict rules the league has for unvaccinated players (constant covid testing, restrictions to hangout with family or friends, restrictions to go to social events etc).

LeBron James beat around the bush rather than to confirm he’s vaccinated even though he very most likely is.

The players like LeBron and CP3 and many others don’t want to influence others to get vaccinated.

I hope that changes at some point.

Update: LeBron finally admitted that he got it

Read on Twitter

?s=21

[Ghost of Kleine]

Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
Landry Shamet getting up shots. #Suns https://t.co/xd84KVJ4cG

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Ghost of Kleine]

This practice facility is quite impressive to be sure.
Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
Watching Chris Paul on the bike. This facility is crazy. We the media have to stay in one spot, which is how it was in the old practice facility, but you can see why the players love it. https://t.co/46D7lvk2Be

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
#Suns coaching staff working. https://t.co/vTA997scor

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
Chris Paul talking with his close friend Jarrett Jack as well as Coach Monty Williams and Jae Crowder. #Suns https://t.co/v8l9EDqTSr

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
Robert Sarver office. #Suns https://t.co/fmNRTejp1y

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Ghost of Kleine]

Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
#Suns in the post with Deandre Ayton, JaVale McGee, Frank Kaminsky and Jalen Smith in the new practice facility. https://t.co/WpfePyztpS

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
Cameron Payne explains tattos. #Suns https://t.co/FHePUubivX

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) Tweeted:
Monty Williams on opening day practice. #Suns https://t.co/IbMgusE6nI

Read on Twitter

?s=20