Fanning the Flames - a Bright Side of the Sun Podcast

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - It Snowed in Phoenix

Sixteen losses in a row makes the snow here in Phoenix today seem kind of poetic.  But in times like these, we don't get down, we get creative.  So, this week we bring in friend of the pod, scratch golfer, and - most importantly - Nuggets fan Bill McElroy.  Why is it important that he's a Nuggets fan?  Well, the Suns aren't winning on their own, so maybe we can steal some mojo from his Nuggets. Listen in as we:

- Each predict how many more games the Suns will win this year;

- Have our annual "what's up with TJ Warren's [insert body part here]" conversation; and

- let Bill take over a segment and fire some questions at us from an outsider's perspective.

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.

Fanning the Flames is available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play - and if you use one of those platforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - It's Trade Season!

What is more surprising, the Kristaps Porzingis trade or Fanning the Flames coming at you two weeks in a row?  We say it's a toss-up.  Regardless, on this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, we talk the Phoenix Suns and - as we are prone to do - much, much more.  This episode's topics include:

- The Suns-Spurs game and Gregg Popovich's post-game comments;

- Comparisons between Popovich/the Spurs and Bill Belichick/the Patriots (one podcast, two sports... what else can you ask for?);

- The Porzingis trade;

- Anthony Davis' trade request (and, as an added bonus, Paul tries to convince Justin that the Suns should trade Deandre Ayton in an effort to land AD); and

- The potential of the Suns getting involved in a trade for AD and walking away with Lonzo Ball.

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.

Fanning the Flames is available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play - and if you use one of those platforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - Improving the Arena and Improving the Team?

Things have been interesting for the Suns both on and off the court over the last week.  On this episode of Fanning the Flames, we get into all of that (and more), including:

- Mike Conley being on the trade block and whether we see him as a fit on the Suns;

- the Phoenix City Counsel approving the use of funds to improve Talking Stick Resort Arena and why people should (and should not) be so up in arms about it;

- the scuffle between Devin Booker and Gorgui Dieng; and

- fake tough guys in the NBA.

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.

Fanning the Flames is available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play - and if you use one of those platforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

 

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - The Holiday Episode

In this Holiday Episode* of Fanning the Flames, we are joined by Raffael Rosa (@_raffaelrosa), who is in town all the way from Australia.  We recorded this episode after taking in the Suns v. Thunder game, so we discuss the pluses and minuses we saw in that game, along with:

- the team leadership and development since fully committing to the youth movement (Jamal Crawford is young at heart);

-  the Suns' recent streak of moderate success;

- Kelly Oubre's role on the team (side note, does Kelly Oubre have a Misfits skull tattoo on his leg?); and

- breaking down our views on Doncic and Ayton thus far.

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.

Fanning the Flames is available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play - and if you use one of those platforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

* We may have dove into a tangent with Raf about what it's like celebrating Christmas during the summer.  Truly mind-blowing stuff.

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - Baby Steps

Have you ever seen the movie "What About Bob?"  If you haven't, you should, because right now the Suns are our own real-life version of Bob Wiley.  They're taking baby steps.  Over the past few weeks, we've seen improvements - albeit small improvements.  While we may not be seeing wins yet, the team is trending in the right direction.  

Will the Suns keep trending in the right direction?  We let you know what we think in this episode of Fanning the Flames.  In addition, we discuss:

- the continuing void at point guard;

- Coach Kokoskov starting to figure out who he can trust to put on the floor night in and night out; and

- whether Markel Fultz should be an option for the Suns.

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.

Fanning the Flames is available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play - and if you use one of those platforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - No Place to Go But Up, Right....?

The Suns are 0-6 since their opening night win against the Dallas Mavericks, and those six losses have not been pretty.  The team is turning the ball over far too much, and most everyone not named Booker, Warren, or Ayton is struggling to put the ball in the basket.  The forecast for your Phoenix Suns certainly looks gloomy...

But, here on Fanning the Flames we like to think that every cloud has a silver lining (some silver linings are just much harder to find than others).  On this week's episode, we delve into the negatives, but also discuss some positives including:

- Deandre Ayton continuing his solid play;

- the emergence of Mikal Bridges and Elie Okobo; and

- the new and improved T.J. Warren.

We also give our thoughts on what we want to see Igor Kokoskov do with his rotation (spoiler alert - less Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza, and Tyson Chandler).

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.

Fanning the Flames is available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play - and if you use one of those platforms, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Until next time!

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - Dismantling the Mavs

What a performance on opening night by the Phoenix Suns.  Is Devin Booker an MVP candidate?  Is Deandre Ayton going to win Rookie of the Year?  Is this team going to make the greatest single season turnaround in NBA history?  OK, OK, we're getting way ahead of ourselves.  But, the Suns' dominating win over the Dallas Mavericks on opening night was a positive step that all Suns fans have been waiting to see.  

In this episode of Fanning the Flames, we dig into the Suns' opening night win, including:

- The debut of Deandre Ayton;

- The return of Devin Booker (and his ridiculous fourth quarter);

- Coach Kokoskov's offense; and

- The performances of Trevor Ariza, Josh Jackson, and TJ Warren. 

We also touch on reports that the Suns had the opportunity to trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on draft night.

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.  

Click here to subscribe to Fanning the Flames on iTunes, and, if you listen on iTunes, rate and review the pod and we may read your review in a future episode.  

Until next time!

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - The McDonough Era is Over

Ryan McDonough is out.  James Jones is in.  Robert Sarver continues his meddling.  It has been yet another "interesting" week for Suns fans.  So, on this episode of Fanning the Flames, we discuss all of the chaos in the world of the Phoenix Suns, including:

- Our thoughts on the timing and circumstances of McDonough being fired;

- What to expect from James Jones as interim (and likely full-time) GM; and

- The Suns' most-recent win over the Golden State Warriors.

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.  

Click here to subscribe to Fanning the Flames on iTunes, and, if you listen on iTunes, rate and review the pod and we may read your review in a future episode.  

Until next time!

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - First Impressions from Preseason

We finally have real(ish) basketball to watch!  As Suns fans who are starving to see the team succeed, it is only natural to pick apart the performances we've seen - even if it is only through two preseason games.  On this episode of Fanning the Flames, we do just that by discussing:

- Deandre Ayton's impressive play thusfar; 

- Which Suns players look good (besides Ayton) and which look not so good;

- Who will be the odd man (or men) out when the Suns finalize their roster to start the regular season; and

- PAYPAL!!

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.  

Click here to subscribe to Fanning the Flames on iTunes, and, if you listen on iTunes, rate and review the pod and we may read your review in a future episode.  

Until next time!

BSotS - Fanning the Flames - Training Camp and the Jimmy Butler Saga

Real life basketball is getting closer, Suns fans!  As we near the NBA season, on this week's episode of Fanning the Flames, we discuss:

- Who we expect to see (and who we want to see) starting at point guard for the Suns;

- The Jimmy Butler saga and how it may play into the Suns' hands; and

- Early returns from training camp.

Follow Paul (@DervishOfWhirl), Justin (@SoSaysJ), and the pod (@FanTheFlamesNBA) on Twitter.  

Click here to subscribe to Fanning the Flames on iTunes, and, if you listen on iTunes, rate and review the pod and we may read your review in a future episode.  

Until next time!