Against the Indiana Pacers last Saturday, Bismack Biyombo became just the 103rd player in NBA history to record 1,000 blocks for his career. It was a milestone that came and went with little fanfare, but his Phoenix Suns teammates were well aware of its significance. “I kept yelling ‘2,000’ from the bench,” Jock Landale said. “‘Cause he just got that…
After a year of waiting, rehabbing and working to get back, the last thing Dario Saric wanted to do was have to wait even more. But on a Phoenix Suns team that suddenly went three-deep at center, shaking off the rust and proving he was ready for big minutes would take time. For the first two and a half months of the 2022-23 season, Saric was mostly a non-factor. He appeared in just 19 games, and when he wasn’t registering DNP-CDs, he was used sparingly, averaging 10.6 minutes a night. That type of inconsistent role after waging an uphill battle to get back would test anyone’s patience. “When you don’t get the minutes, you’re always going kind of got a…
The Phoenix Suns beat the Golden State Warriors 134-105 Tuesday night in an unexpected beatdown of the defending NBA champions. While October wins mean very little in the grand scheme of things, it was a fun showdown between two teams that seemed to be on a Western Conference Finals collision course all of last year until the Suns failed to...
For better or for worse, Cam Payne may be the barometer for how the Phoenix Suns’ bench unit fares in 2022-23. After an offseason that took a “run it back” approach outside of a few minor additions, there’s understandable concern about the Suns’ second unit — most of which stems from the backcourt, where Payne’s disappearing act in the playoffs...
At Media Day last week, new arrival Jock Landale took to the podium for the first time as a member of the Phoenix Suns. The Australian’s message was simple: He wanted his Suns teammates to finally cave and try Vegemite, with Mikal Bridges being at the top of the list. “I love Vegemite, it’s a great spread for toast, but...
Most NBA players grew up from a young age dreaming of playing in the pros. New Phoenix Suns center Jock Landale is not most NBA players. Although he played in basketball camps in Melbourne, Australia, when he was younger, Landale had no interest in the sport, preferring the Australian Football League and cricket instead. “My parents threw me into basketball...
The Phoenix Suns are facing a lot of uncertainty at the center position. Deandre Ayton’s future in Phoenix is unclear amidst all the Kevin Durant trade rumors, and his backup, JaVale McGee, got a three-year, $20.1 million bag from the Dallas Mavericks. Bringing back Bismack Biyombo was a start to addressing the team’s depth at the 5-spot, and Jock Landale...