Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁
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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁
@stephenpg3.bsky.social
510 followers 370 following 520 posts
We live this Marathon life, Love Yourz | Student of the Game 🏀 | @phnxsuns.bsky.social • @phnxmercury.bsky.social • @chgo-sky.bsky.social | Illinois State 👨🏾‍🎓 | Be Your Own Goat 🏁 👇🏾 The Come Up (PHX via CHI) https://linktr.ee/StephenPridGeonGarner3
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The Suns have "flipped a switch" defensively in the past week

Remove opponents & assess their (new) sustained execution + what looks different in it, & you see opportunity

I dove into their switching, the Rookie Renaissance + more

Read: gophnx.com/suns-switchi...
Almost that time again!
11 days until the 2025 WNBA season starts
Appreciate you!

Going to have a ton of fun detailing everything with the Mercury this season

Looking forward to talking more with you throughout the season too!
I dove into some details of where the Suns went wrong in process this season

"Where the Suns Went Wrong in 2024-25, Vol. 1" looks specifically at their three-point shooting + assists, and how/why inconsistency persisted

Tap in! ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtKj...
"Nipped it in the Bud"

Phoenix continues its quest for coach for the third season in a row

Me & Erik speak more on that, + plenty more regarding the Suns — going live now 👇🏾 @phnxsuns.bsky.social 👇🏾
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRot...
Phoenix Suns CAN’T Afford To Mess Up After FIRING Mike Budenholzer
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
www.youtube.com
Penultimate game of the season for the Suns coming up tonight, vs San Antonio

Tap in with us over at @phnxsuns.bsky.social for pregame & a preview in a few minutes

Let's get it! 👇🏾
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGA...
PREGAME: Is Phoenix Suns Playing Booker & Beal TOO RISKY For Pointless Spurs Game?
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
www.youtube.com
Whew, an underwhelming season for the Suns was stamped to not have any postseason appearance last night

Who/what were the issues?

Rehash it all with us at @PHNX_Suns now 👇🏾
www.youtube.com/live/5uCxXol...
THIS Was The BIGGEST Reason For The Phoenix Suns Failure
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
www.youtube.com
Suns do not control their own destiny the rest of the way, but still need to also handle their business through the finish line for a chance at the 10th seed

They're up against an undermanned Thunder team tonight

Preview it all with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social👇🏾
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO1y...
PREGAME: Pathetic Phoenix Suns Have ONE Last Shot At Play-In Against Shorthanded Thunder
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
www.youtube.com
Suns-Dubs coming up tonight

Can the Suns steal a (much, much, much-needed..) one against one of the leagues elite?

Preview it with us over at @phnxsuns.bsky.social shortly 👇🏾
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIAK...
PREGAME: Kevin Durant STILL OUT As Phoenix Suns Face RENEWED Warriors, Jimmy Butler
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
www.youtube.com
I asked Mike Budenholzer about if their formula for success shifts when they're without some of their top-level talents, or if it remains mostly the same

"The philosophical approach, a lot of it stays the same. Guys just gotta go play basketball & make good plays on both ends."
I asked Devin Booker about the delicate balance of wearing the scorer & playmaker hats, & where he feels he is in that:

"Sometimes I watch a game back & feel like I could've been more aggressive, sometimes I feel like I took bad shots & had people open — it's all a feel"
When it rains, it pours

Durant's greatness has often been an umbrella to help the Suns navigate things this season

With him out for the next handful of games, what's next & what can we expect in the short-term?

We'll speak on it all at @phnxsuns.bsky.social👇🏾
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybWY...
BREAKING: Kevin Durant Out AT LEAST One Week As Phoenix Suns Season Nears Merciful End
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
www.youtube.com
Suns-Wolves Rd. 4 coming at the top of the hour

Gotta have it type of scenario fkr the Suns, which also comes with the challenge of being on the road for them

Preview it with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social 👇🏾
www.youtube.com/watch?v=piw8...
PREGAME: Phoenix Suns Face ANOTHER Inflection Point Against Timberwolves, Ant Edwards
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
www.youtube.com
Primetime matchup for the Suns with the Celtics in-store tonight

Can the Suns push their win streak to 5?

A win means a leap to the **checks standings** 9th seed for them — preview it with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social 👇🏾
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_m_...
PREGAME: Can Phoenix Suns PROVE Something SHIFTED With Win Over ELITE Boston Celtics?
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
www.youtube.com
Sorting through the good & the bad of this recent stretch of play, & assessing performances of the main pieces involved

Is this all sustainable for the Suns?

Tap in with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social at the top of the hour 👇🏾
youtube.com/live/K-MPBwa...
Are Renewed Phoenix Suns LEGITIMATE Playoff Threats In West?
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
youtube.com
Another comparative matchup for the Suns, with the Bucks

KD vs Giannis, Budenholzer vs Bucks, Grayson Allen revenge game

Can the sustain their efforts of the past week of play? Will they have answers for Giannis?

Preview it with us at @phnxsuns.bsky.social in 5 👇🏾
youtube.com/live/QNoW9St...
PREGAME: Phoenix Suns Can EXTEND Win Streak Against Giannis, Milwaukee Bucks
YouTube video by PHNX Sports
youtube.com
When you have players that can guard (in multiple contexts) get the requisite mins needed for their impact to hit, it's no surprise the stark shift seen

Their defense all season has only needed to be but *so* good, reach a certain level.. of late it's exceeded — these are signs
His ability to play & be effective in multiple defensive roles has been a positive shock to the Suns (much) better balanced lineups

The ability to guard up, be active with help, defend at points of attack, & his multiple efforts have greatly aided the shift that's taken place
Cody Martin in 4 games since entering the Suns rotation (67 mins):

• 19 reb (5th)
• 8 stl (1st)
• 3 blk (3rd)
• 9 deflections (1st)
• 2 charges drawn (1st)
• 5 loose ball recoveries (1st)

Small sample, but Phoenix has a 93.1 defensive rating when he's on — instant impact
He's grown vs doubles — mixing quick decisions, attacks on leverage, & flattening a double to then stretch the other 3 defenders with his passes, creating more advantage for the 4v3

His processing & anticipation is quicker, as well as his court mapping

& the accuracy is better
I understand people's desires to see him score more at times

That doesn't have to (& honestly shouldn't!) undermine the playmaking growths he's showcased all season-long

The reps add up & will make him more well-rounded in the long run
Per NBA's tracking, Devin Booker leads in drives post ASB with 267, & passes via, with 131

This season he also still leads in 3-point assists (253), +25 over 2nd place

His balance of scoring drives vs probing (engaging help) has been *impactful*

His best playmaking season yet