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PHOENIX – After leading the Suns to a perfect 3-0 record over the past week, moving Phoenix to a league-best 61-14 on the season, guard Devin Booker has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week for March 21-27, the NBA announced today.

Booker averaged 37.3 points in the three games on 58.1 percent shooting (42.9 percent from three-point range), 6.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Booker opened the week with 28 points and 7 assists in the team’s 125-116 win at Minnesota. In the win, Booker became the fourth-youngest player in NBA history to reach 11,000 career points, trailing only LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant.

A night later, Booker netted a season-high 49 points, to go along with 10 assists and 3 steals in a 140-130 win over the Nuggets in Denver. His 49 points are the most by a player who also dished 10+ assists in the same game in franchise history. With the game taking place on March 24, Booker, who passed Amar’e Stoudemire for sixth on the Suns’ all-time scoring list in the game, is now averaging 48.0 points in three career games on March 24, the highest scoring average on a single date in the regular season in NBA history (min. 3 games played).

The three-time All-Star concluded his week with a 35-point performance on March 27 in a 114-104 win over Philadelphia. Booker scored 22 of his points in the first quarter for his 18th-career 20+ point quarter, the third-most in the NBA since the 2016-17 season trailing only James Harden (22) and Stephen Curry (23).

This marks Booker’s sixth career NBA Player of the Week honor and his third of the season, having also won for the weeks of Jan. 10-16 and Nov. 22-28.  Last season, Booker became the first Suns player to win three Player of the Week distinctions in the same season since Steve Nash during the 2006-07 season and is now the only player in franchise history to win the award at least three times in the same season in more than one season.

The Suns currently hold a nine-game lead over Memphis for the best record in the NBA this season, as Phoenix has already clinched the top record in the league and home court advantage throughout the Playoffs. Additionally, the Suns are one win shy of matching the franchise record for wins in a season with seven games remaining in the regular season. Phoenix holds a 30-6 record in road games this season, a better road winning percentage than every team’s home winning percentage, and is the only team in the league this season to rank in the top-three in offensive (2nd), defensive (2nd) and net (1st) rating. Led by Booker, Phoenix has been the NBA’s best team in the clutch this season, ranking first in offensive and net rating in the clutch and second in defensive rating, while holding the league’s best record in clutch games at 31-6.

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DEVIN BOOKER NAMED WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Suns fans know about it – and embrace it. Their team is made up of players who are very serious about finishing an assignment.

They revel in pressure situations. They’re killer serious.

In basketball parlance, a killer is one who tirelessly pursues and achieves a goal while having no problem ruthlessly finishing the assignment.

Among the greatest ever, of course, were Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

This generation of the NBA’s leading killers – or clutch performers -- could be these Phoenix Suns, led by Chris Paul and Bryant’s understudy, Devin Booker.

Two games and one practice over a March weekend served to display the identity of these Suns, who are almost maniacally focused on winning the franchise’s first NBA title.

After Phoenix’s disappointing 117-112 defeat at home March 11, coach Monty Williams – a “killer” coach who learned from legends Pat Riley and Gregg Popovich -- set the bar again, aiming to be clear about getting it right.

“We didn’t do a good job in the first half, and then the second half, they put pressure on us and we didn’t handle it well tonight, so that’s something we need to learn from,” Williams said before dropping a personal challenge to those players who cared to read between the lines.

“And then we have to be emotionally more regulated. Technical fouls and things of that nature costing us momentum and we’re giving points away when we don’t need to. That’s something we have to be a lot better at.”

Translation: We have the Lakers coming to town. I won’t tolerate another spate of mental mistakes.

KILLER/CLUTCH: A SHARED TRAIT AMONG THE SUNS

Williams sets the tone while Booker, in echoing Williams’ sentiments, added perhaps the most important ingredient to complement the clutch: accountability. Booker said he did not handle Toronto’s pressure in the manner expected of a leader.

“I had a few turnovers that were costly, for them to get out in transition and get some easy ones,” he said before turning his focus to preparing for the Lakers. “But, just another moment where I got to look at film, and see the spots and what was open.

“That’s the name of the game for us. We never want to lose two in a row and we have another tough opponent coming in here Sunday. We just want to protect and home court and do what we’re supposed to do.”

The “opponent” -- a failed chemistry experiment stumbling around in Lakers uniforms -- was left without a name, but Booker was already planning a special way to put his foot on the LA’s collective throat.

And that’s just what happened in front of the Suns’ 22nd consecutive capacity crowd at Footprint Center on Sunday night. It was a public execution from the jump, with the Suns putting up a season-high 48 first-quarter points and bringing down the hammer by the end of the third quarter.

A few fans clad in Lakers jerseys exiting the arena half-heartedly referenced the fact that their team “still has the rings,” but Suns supporters know the past is the past; the future may be right now.

To put a fine point on what the Suns are doing, we offer up “clutch” stats entering games of March 18.

(Clutch time is defined as the last five minutes of a game when a team is leading or trailing by five points or fewer.)

The NBA’s best team? It’s more than subjective, it is supported by plenty of evidence.

Following the blowout of the Lakers, Williams underscored the team dynamic by pointing out the success of the Suns’ rebounding and defense – two areas that are primarily based on effort and execution (hard to get away from that “killer” theme).

It’s not just Booker and the sidelined Chris Paul, either. All the primary contributors this season have long ago bought in to the clutch/killer concept.

"I thought the first group set the tone and it just gave everybody a lot of confidence that we were going to have one of those nights."

- Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns | Head Coach

Williams cited the high level of focus with examples following the Lakers game.

"And you look at the offensive numbers, and DA (Deandre Ayton), 23 and 16 (points and rebounds), he could have easily had a 20-20 night. Book (Devin Booker) and Cam (Payne) with 21 assists, two turnovers, that’s really efficient.”

“And then you can just go down the list, Mikal (Bridges) just kept making timely shots and his defense was really good. And Jae (Crowder), guarding LeBron the way that he guards him, staying in front of LeBron and being sound and communicating when we had to switch.”

“I thought the first group set the tone and it just gave everybody a lot of confidence that we were going to have one of those nights."

There have been a staggering number of “those nights” this season.

With a league-best 56-14 mark, the Suns continue to enjoy their best start to any season. If the team can win 63 games, it will surpass the franchise’s all-time mark for victories in a season shared by the 1992-93 and 2004-05 teams.

With numbers such as these, it would come as a huge disappointment were the Suns to fall short of the NBA Finals.

Since play-by-play began being tracked in the 1996-97 season and advanced stats were introduced, the only teams to rank first in offensive, defensive and net rating in the clutch have been the 2015-16 Warriors, 2012-13 Heat, 2010-11 Mavericks.

The Heat and Mavericks won titles in those particular seasons; the 2015-16 Warriors reached the Finals, but lost to Cleveland.

The rare air certainly doesn’t escape the players, but the “Mamba Mentality” mix of these Suns would seem to have the team well-positioned to step on the throats of its Western Conference rivals and return to the Finals.

The players? Individually, each of the key rotation pieces brandishes his own form of clutch. Suns players who, as of March 10, ranked in the top-10 in total clutch +/- are:

Since the 1996-97 season, the only teams to have players hold the top-four spots in total clutch +/- for a season are the 2012-13 Heat (LeBron, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen and Shane Battier, who ranked fifth) and the 2000-01 Jazz (John Starks, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Bryon Russell).

Williams had no doubts about his team’s professional approach following the Toronto loss, and was clearly pleased with the effort at practice the following day; the urgency coupled with the evident IQ of a championship favorite.

"And (Saturday’s practice) wasn’t, like, intense for intense sake, it was intense with a purpose,” Williams said following Sunday night’s blowout of LA. “So, you could feel it yesterday, like we’re going to play well (Sunday).”

Booker, who played all 12 minutes of Sunday’s first quarter (12 points, six assists), referenced the motivation that has defined this season.

“It was really big, it was a good start for us,” Booker said of the Suns’ 48-point opening-quarter assault. “After last game – I told you, man, we don’t like losing two games in a row so we just wanted to come with a lot of energy and effort, and we did that to start the game.”

He may as well have added: We stepped on them, like killers.

The game was just one of 82 – and likely many more.

Sixty-three wins would be nice but that wouldn’t bring this group of clutch stars any satisfaction.

Nope, not until a dream sometime in June is realized.

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Clutch Suns Keep Killing It

PHOENIX – The NBA announced today Phoenix Suns guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul have been selected by the league’s head coaches as reserves for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played in Cleveland on Sunday, Feb. 20.

This is Booker’s third consecutive All-Star selection, the first three of his career, while it is Paul’s third straight and 12th career All-Star nod, now tied for 15th most in NBA history. This marks the second straight season where Booker and Paul have given the Suns multiple All-Stars, and their selections are the 66th and 67th all-time for the Suns.

Paul has totaled 128 career assists in his All-Star Game appearances, the most in NBA history as he recorded 16 for Team LeBron last season to pass Magic Johnson (127) for first all-time. The 2013 NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, he has double-digit assists in eight of his 10 All-Star game appearances (did not play in 2010). Booker scored six points in 19 minutes in his lone All-Star Game appearance as Paul’s teammate on Team LeBron in 2020; he did not play due to injury in 2021.

Booker leads the Suns and ranks 12th in the NBA in scoring at 25.4 points per game on 44.5 FG%, while also averaging 4.3 assists and a career-best 5.3 rebounds. He leads the league in clutch field goal percentage (min. 25 FGA), shooting 66.7% (20-of-30). One of the league’s most diverse scorers, Booker is the only qualified player this season to be making at least 2.5 field goals per game from each of the paint, the midrange and three-point distance. On Dec. 29, he became the seventh-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points.

Named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team at the start of the season, Paul is averaging 14.9 points, and ranks first in the league with 10.4 assists per game, second with a 4.49 assist-to-turnover ratio and third with 1.9 steals per game. He has tallied a team-best 25 double-doubles and leads the league in total plus/minus in the clutch (+83). On Oct. 22, Paul became the first player in NBA history with at least 20,000 career points and 10,000 assists, and he moved into third place on the NBA’s all-time assists list on Nov. 2.

The Suns currently hold the NBA’s best record, as their 41-9 start is the team’s best through the first 50 games of a season in franchise history. Phoenix ranks in the top-three in offensive, defensive and net rating this season, the only team in the NBA to do so and has been the league’s best team in the clutch, ranking first in offensive clutch rating, second defensively and first in net clutch rating. Head Coach Monty Williams and the Suns coaching staff will be on the bench of Team LeBron for the All-Star Game after clinching the Western Conference’s best record through games of Sunday, Feb. 6.

The All-Star Game rosters will be determined through the NBA All-Star Draft, where team captains LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets will select from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference. TNT will air the NBA All-Star Draft on Thursday, Feb. 10.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select the replacement for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game, naming a player from the same conference as the player being replaced.

The 71st NBA All-Star Game is part of NBA All-Star 2022 from Feb. 18-20 in Cleveland. The All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 6:00 p.m. MT and will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio.

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DEVIN BOOKER AND CHRIS PAUL NAMED NBA ALL-STARS

JaVale McGee said before the Suns' 104-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 30 that the team doesn't care about its record-breaking 18-game win streak. It just wants to win.

Well, Elfrid Payton shared that McGee is extraordinarily confident in his group's ability to do so.

"JaVale always says that we're the best team in the world," Payton said. "And we try to go out there and hold ourself to that standard."

McGee's experience with the Suns has been smooth, like a river flowing with no obstruction. It is a much different feel than the rocky waters Payton endured in his first stint with the team.

In 2018, Payton played 19 games for a Phoenix group that finished with a league-worst 21-61 record, a microcosm of a frustrating decade in which the Suns finished at the bottom of the Western Conference five times. Times were tough, and it was difficult for Payton to imagine much would change.

Now, his second tenure with the Suns is a lot more fluid. In Payton's words, Phoenix has: guys that buy into their roles; great leadership and coaching; and a standard of excellence. There's "no wasted time" in the Suns' operation, which has combined for 69 victories in the last two seasons, just five wins short of Phoenix's previous three years combined.

It's been a vision that was difficult for Payton to see in his first tenure with the team. Now, it has gone even better than he could have pictured.

"We kind of have a standard now," Payton said. "Coach talks about excellence, not grading yourself on a scale of one to ten, but seven to ten. And I think that's something we all buy into here."

In 2017-18, Payton was part of a very young Suns roster that had 13 other players who were in their fourth season in the league or younger.

This season, Payton is one of seven Suns players who have played at least six seasons in the NBA. It has helped the team rise to a 20-4 record, currently the second-best in the league as it head's into a Friday night matchup against the Boston Celtics at Footprint Center.

"I think this was a deep team, made a great run last year, a lot of talent and some veterans too," Payton said. "I think we have one of the best blends of that in the league."

Payton's experience has been especially enhanced by the presence of Chris Paul, who he has known before he entered the NBA in 2014. Paul said Payton was "like family" when he signed with the team this offseason and admitted he recruited him to join the team.

"The opportunity to play with Chris, I just think it's a good time for that," Payton said. "...I think just seeing him on a day-to-day basis, how he carries the things he does on and off the court. He's one of the busiest guys in the league, he has all kinds of stuff that he does. Whether it be appearances, different things, hosting the HBCU tournament. But still finding time, making sure he gets his work in, make sure he's taking care of his body, what he's eating, things like that."

Payton has also been extremely impressed by the Suns' Verizon 5G Performance Center, which debuted in November and is one of the most dynamic facilities in all of sports. Marked by a 53,000 square-foot practice arena with 150 HD cameras, sensors, nodes and 3D force plates that can track the motion of players and the basketball, the Suns have access to unique data to evaluate their operation.

Payton chuckled as he spoke about the facility's indoor swimming pool, one of several unique features along with a recovery room with a cryo chamber, barber chair and golf simulator, among other things.

"I think it's the best practice facility in the league and you kind of don't think about it as much when you're in other places, but it makes it easier to come in here," Payton said. "Guys want to come in and work out, they want to come and get lifts in and guys kind of want to hang around here. I think it leads to playing well, honestly."

Beyond Phoenix's facilities, Payton has been very impressed with the Suns' operation under coach Monty Williams and general manager James Jones. Payton said Williams was "very honest" with him when he signed with the team this offseason, and Jones was able to clearly articulate a role for him despite playing behind Paul and backup point guard Cameron Payne.

"I don't think you can ever have too many Elfrid Payton's on your team," Jones said. "Guys that have played their entire lives and just gym guys. You see him right now, he prepares the same way. He's going to come in here and be tremendously effective for us.

"As you know, the way we play, we need ball handlers to run high pick-and-rolls with Deandre (Ayton) and JaVale. You can't have too many high pick-and-roll players in this game."

Though Payton has only appeared in eight games this season, he has made an impact in his time on the floor. The Suns' defensive points per 100 possessions has improved by 16.9 during his minutes, according to Cleaning the Glass.

He also helped the Suns win the first three of the 18-game win streak from Oct. 10 to Nov. 4, when Payne was out with a hamstring injury.

"I just think we have great players on this team," Payton said. "We have guys that buy into their roles. We really believe that we're one of the deepest teams in the league, and we have great leadership."

Payton's reunion with the Suns is much different than when he was traded to the team for a second-round pick in 2018. For one, Phoenix is coming off an NBA Finals appearance, its first since 1992-93. And it also has much greater depth at his point guard position, with Paul running the show and Payne highlighting the team's second act off the bench.

Even with greater depth, Payton has been very pleased by the Suns' offerings. His experience has shined through the Suns' rise to the top record in the league, and it has been collectively fruitful, with 10 Phoenix players averaging at least eight points per game.

Capped off by Phoenix's management Jones, among other key executive pieces, Payton said everything is tied together well, much like a puzzle with no missing pieces.

"Monty's a great coach and we have a great staff, too," Payton said. "So, we think we have everything in place here."

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Everything In Place

Phoenix Suns are proud to announce a new official team partnership with Socios.com, the leading global blockchain provider for the sports and entertainment industry.

Socios.com is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform that leverages blockchain technology to provide the world’s leading sporting organizations with the tools to engage with and monetize their global fanbases. 

The Phoenix Suns join a 70+ strong network of major international sporting properties on the Socios.com roster, which also includes European soccer giants FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, AC Milan, Atlético Madrid, Valencia, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Arsenal and the Argentina and Portugal national soccer teams, as well as a number of leading teams from F1, esports and cricket.

The partnership is part of Socios.com’s growing expansion into the US sports industry, with the Suns becoming the latest NBA franchise to partner with Socios.com.

Socios.com will receive introduction to the Phoenix market, engaging fans through online and social media fan programs on Suns.com and Suns Twitter; in addition to in-arena signage at Footprint Center. 

Socios.com has major global expansion plans and will increase their existing presence in Europe, while targeting many more Fan Token launches in the USA, Asia and South America with the world’s leading sporting properties. Socios.com has multiple office locations around the world and has already opened new regional headquarters in Madrid, Istanbul, São Paulo and Buenos Aires in 2021. The company will open a new office in North America in the near future. 

Dan Costello, Executive Vice President &amp; Chief Revenue Officer of the Phoenix Suns said: “We’re excited to add to our cutting-edge technology and innovative partners, expanding into blockchain with Socios.com to collaborate and elevate the fan experience in new ways.”

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Socios.com and Chiliz, added: “What an awesome way to keep this incredible momentum going. We couldn’t be prouder to add the Phoenix Suns to our roster and we’re committed to creating some unprecedented opportunities for their fans in the future.

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PHOENIX SUNS ANNOUNCE SOCIOS.COM PARTNERSHIP

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that former Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons is among the members of the Class of 2021 to be enshrined in Springfield, Mass. this Saturday, Sept. 11.

Fitzsimmons, who was elected as a contributor and will be honored posthumously, totaled 832 wins over 21 seasons as an NBA head coach with five teams. He still ranks 16th in NBA history in coaching wins and ranked sixth at the time of his final game as a coach in 1996. Fitzsimmons led his teams to 12 NBA playoff appearances, including three trips to the Western Conference Finals. 

“Cotton’s memory will live with this organization forever,” Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said. “He’s a Ring of Honor member but more importantly he left a lasting impression on this franchise. JoAnn keeps Cotton’s passion for basketball and this franchise front of mind as a cherished member of this family.”

In eight seasons over three tenures as head coach of the Suns (1970-1972, 1988-1992, 1996), Fitzsimmons registered an overall record of 341-208 (.621) with five playoff appearances. A member of the Suns Ring of Honor, Fitzsimmons guided Phoenix to four straight 50-plus win seasons and two trips to the Western Conference Finals from 1988-1992 with those Suns teams known as “the Cotton Express” for their high-octane offense. Before taking over as head coach in 1988, he served as the team’s director of player personnel and helped orchestrate the trade with Cleveland that brought Kevin Johnson, Mark West, Tyrone Corbin and the draft pick that became Dan Majerle to the Valley. 

Fitzsimmons is remembered for his father-like demeanor of tough love from the sidelines, while always welcoming his players with open arms off of the court. Survived by his wife, JoAnn Fitzsimmons has vowed to keep his legacy alive through the annual Spirit of Cotton Award, recognizing outstanding Arizona high school basketball coaches for their leadership, dedication and service to the community in helping guide mentor student-athletes.

Through this induction into the Hall of Fame, JoAnn is able to see his spirit shine on an even broader scale.

“It's so heartwarming and yet heartbreaking all at the same time because I wish he was here,” said JoAnn, who recently took in a Suns game with Sarver, courtside. “I wish (we were) jumping up and down, hugging each other and celebrating. It just makes it hard. Yet, when I stop thinking in those terms, I'm just thrilled and I'm so happy. Especially after all these years, I never thought anything like that would happen because as the years go by, people move on. It just makes me feel wonderful that people still remember him.”

JoAnn Fitzsimmons joins Suns and Mercury Managing Partner courtside earlier this season

“I love that it keeps his memory and his legacy alive.”

A two-time NBA Coach of the Year (1979 with Kansas City and 1989 with Phoenix), Fitzsimmons built a reputation for taking over struggling teams and turning them into instant contenders. In 1970-71, Phoenix jumped from 39 to 48 wins in his first season. The Atlanta Hawks went from 36 to 46 wins in 1972-73, and the Kansas City Kings raised their win total from 31 to 48 in 1978-79. The 1988-89 Suns made the most dramatic turnaround, soaring from 28 wins to 55 wins, then the third-largest single-season turnaround in NBA history.

Prior to the NBA, Fitzsimmons was named Big 8 Coach of the Year, leading Kansas State to the Sweet Sixteen in 1970. He also guided Moberly Junior College to two junior college national championships in 1966 and 1967. Fitzsimmons is an enshrinee of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (1981) and National Junior College Hall of Fame (1985). 

With the election of Fitzsimmons, the Suns will total three contributors inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Former Suns owner, general manager, executive and coach Jerry Colangelo was enshrined as a contributor in the Class of 2004 and former Suns president and chief executive officer Rick Welts was enshrined as a contributor in the Class of 2018. Eleven former Suns have been enshrined as players: Connie Hawkins (1969-1973 with Suns; Class of 1992), Gail Goodrich (1968-1970 with Suns; Class of 1996), Charles Barkley (1992-1996 with Suns; Class of 2006), Dennis Johnson (1980-1983 with Suns; Class of 2010), Gus Johnson (1972 with Suns; Class of 2010), Shaquille O’Neal (2008-2009 with Suns; Class of 2016), Steve Nash (1996-1998, 2004-2012 with Suns; Class of 2018), Jason Kidd (1996-2001 with Suns; Class of 2018), Grant Hill (2007-2012 with Suns; Class of 2018), Charlie Scott (1972-1975 with Suns; Class of 2018) and Paul Westphal (1975-1980, 1983-84 with Suns; Class of 2019). In addition, current Suns Vice President Ann Meyers Drysdale was enshrined as a player in the Class of 1993 and “The Voice of the Suns” Al McCoy received the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2007.

Joining Fitzsimmons to be elected into the Class of 2021 by the Contributor Committee are Val Ackerman and Howard Garfinkel. Rick Adelman, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Bill Russell (coach), Ben Wallace, Chris Webber, Jay Wright, Yolanda Griffith and Lauren Jackson were elected from the North American and Women’s committees. Clarence “Fats” Jenkins was elected from the Early African American Pioneers Committee, Toni Kukoc from the International Committee, Bob Dandridge from the Veterans Committee and Pearl Moore from the Women’s Veterans Committee.

The Class of 2021 Enshrinement festivities will begin at Mohegan Sun on Friday, September 10 with the Enshrinement Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala. The Class of 2021 and returning Hall of Famers will then journey to Springfield, Mass. for the annual celebratory events taking place at the newly renovated Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and MassMutual Center on September 11. Tickets for the various Enshrinement events are on sale at www.hoophall.com.

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COTTON FITZSIMMONS TO BE INDUCTED INTO NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME SATURDAY

LAS VEGAS — The team plane touched down in the Valley around 2 a.m. on July 21, capping off nearly a nine-month journey for the Phoenix Suns through a condensed training camp, an unorthodox regular season filled with COVID-19 protocols and a historic run to the NBA Finals.

The short offseason officially began for players to rest their bodies, recover from the relentless grind and mentally reset following the rollercoaster of emotions they faced over the previous few months.

But over 2,000 miles away in Baltimore, Jalen Smith continued to put in work on the hardwood.

The tenth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft played in a total of just 33 games and felt that he “didn’t really deserve a break.” So, he travelled back home to Maryland for a change of scenery and continued to train behind the scenes, starting on the court, then transitioning to weights before wrapping up his daily routine with a yoga session to help rest his body for the next day.

This disciplined work ethic became the norm for Smith throughout the 2020-21 season, coming in on off days and playing one-on-one or five-on-five with anyone who wanted to run, from fellow rookie Ty-Shon Alexander to even some of the coaching staff. And with a quick turnaround from the Finals to Summer League, Smith is looking forward to showcasing the knowledge and skills he gained throughout this season and is ready to prove what he’s capable of in Las Vegas.

“I just wanted to prepare myself so that I could play to my potential and just go out there and have fun,” Smith said. “It's going to be a lot more hectic and a lot more minutes put on my body. So, (I’ve been) pretty much just preparing for that."

Smith was drafted on Nov. 18, 2020 and by Dec. 12 was already playing his first preseason action. With no Summer League and just a small window for training camp, Smith was given less than a third of the conventional allotted time for a rookie to get acclimated to their team and the NBA before their first tip off.

The quick learning curve and the depth of the Suns roster kept Smith on the sidelines for the majority of the season. But while some lottery picks may have complained or felt overlooked, Smith remained mentally strong, enjoying the historic journey while continuing to improve his game behind the scenes.

“Just looking at all the good of everything and not trying to focus on the negative,” Smith said. “Obviously, I was not out there, but I was on a winning team who was making a name for themselves in the league. You see where we got at the end of the season.

“Just staying focused and making sure that you're always ready. That's what I was trying to focus on throughout the season. So, whenever my number was called, I could perform."

Suns assistant coach Brian Randle said that the team staff explained to Smith early on that, while there are often assumptions and expectations for a lottery pick to perform immediately, it didn’t matter where he was taken and suggested to just, “Take a breath. You're here now. We're going to help you. We're going to try to teach you.”

Smith instead focused on what he was able to control. Coming from a military family in which discipline and order are key, Smith highlighted the importance of how he carried himself each day, making sure that he was always on time, working hard and continuously giving his all. 

Randle, who will be coaching Smith and the Summer Suns in Vegas, is encouraged by Smith’s consistency in the work he puts in and the growth that they’ve seen from the 21-year-old, giving credit to highly-touted big man coach Mark Bryant.

“Similar to what he did with DA, coach Bryant has been fantastic,” Randle said. “Talking to (Smith). Teaching him. Being patient.”

Bryant assisted with the development of some of the most talented centers in the league from Dwight Howard to Steven Adams to, most recently, Deandre Ayton. Smith said Bryant’s been crucial for his own development, pushing the young big to become an all-around player.

"When we were working out, he was just teaching me how to read, how your defender is guarding you and how to get around them,” Smith said. “Helping me work on moves, my shot, and back to the basket stuff.” 

Smith was not only paired with experienced development coaches, but also took advantage of the veterans that surrounded him on roster, understanding the unique situations he was drafted into.  

“Not many rookies get to be put in this position of being around a lot of veterans that had success in the league and making their name in the league,” Smith said. “Just knowing that you've got guys like Chris (Paul), Devin (Booker), Langston (Galloway), E'Twaun (Moore), they all helped me out with pointers here and there and just telling me things they did to help them out to get to where they're at. Just helping me figure out myself as well.”

There are few, if any, more impactful mentors in the NBA than Paul. Smith acknowledged Paul’s notorious ability to read the game and said that being around the future hall of famer has helped him view the game in different ways with Paul explaining how and why certain reads work.  

“Just being able to feed off of that was helpful for me." Smith said. “He just broke down everything at any point in time. I tried to figure it out on my own and then he would just come and help me out and just tell me what he saw. And then I would see it that way." 

Smith’s ability to read the game is where he believed he improved the most throughout this season, with the assistance of his teammates and coaches remaining in his ear and his willingness to accept the wisdom they had to offer.

“Just being able to be around Chris, Jae (Crowder), Devin, all of them who have had success in the league so far. It's just been fun learning from all of them. Just pretty much soaking everything in,” Smith said.

Suns fans received a glimpse of Smith’s overall talent and basketball IQ in the team’s final game of the regular season against the San Antonio Spurs.

Head coach Monty Williams granted Smith his first-career start as the rookie notched his first-career double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in the victory. Smith said that opportunity made a huge impact on him, given the reigns to play free and have fun.

“It was tough before that because I was the only pick in the lottery that wasn't playing as much as usual,” Smith said. “So, it was kind of hard seeing that, knowing what you can do. But you have to understand the situation that you're in. Being able to go out there to show that I can do it all as well. Just being able to play, it was fun.”

While this was primarily his first chance to widely showcase his ability during game action, both Smith and his general manager James Jones believe it was only the beginning. When Jones was asked if he expects Smith to factor into the rotation next season, he responded, “Of course I do.” 

“Jalen, like every guy on this team, took steps forward this year,” Jones said. “For a rookie to step into this situation, it’s extremely difficult... For him, it’s been a great trajectory.” 

Understanding he won’t be just gifted minutes, Smith believes that sticking to his game, being himself and putting in that extra effort will be the overall difference maker to reach Jones’ expectations. 

“I know what I can do. Everybody in the Suns organization knows what I can do,” Smith said. “Going out there and playing hard and just giving effort, because once you give effort, everything else falls into place for you. It's making sure that I'm just working and not taking anything for granted."

But before he jumps into his sophomore season, Smith will take center court for the Suns in Las Vegas, where Jones hopes to see him continue his development. Smith’s mindset is simple entering Summer League, “Just go out there and hoop.”

“Being on the bench all season, that's just the one thing that you want to do,” Jones said. “I feel like that's what Summer League is for. That's what coach Monty has been telling me, just go out there and hoop. James was telling me the same thing of just having fun and playing the game.”

Smith is most looking forward to displaying his versatility on both ends of the floor, being able to guard nearly any position defensively, while also using his high-powered motor to play above the rim, and his impressive range to knock down shots from deep.

Randle highlighted Smith’s physical tools with his strength, athleticism and overall size, as well as his skilled ability to handle the ball, shoot, battle in the post and be multidimensional. While that versatility provides Randle with additional creativity when building his rotations and sets, he emphasized wanting to be strategic about how he goes about showcasing Smith’s versatility, rather than overwhelming him with a plethora of possibilities.  

“Part of it is we got to figure out with him where he's comfortable,” Randle said “It does give us some versatility, but at the same time, we know young guys, if you throw too much at them, it's hard. It's a fast game. It's a physical game. It's uber talented individuals out on that court. 

“We want to make sure that you're showcasing a guy within what you do, such that it doesn't hinder or hurt him in the long run because we don't want to mess up his growth physically or mentally as he comes into his own." 

Randle isn’t looking for specific numbers out of Smith during Summer League and is more focused on what Smith is able to control when it comes to playing hard, defending, rebounding, running the floor and overall hustle.

“Really it's him getting exposure to the game,” Randle said. “It's him getting live reps. But the expectation is that you just give a ton of effort. Every time he steps on the court, hopefully he's growing and he’s learning.”

Smith has prepared himself all season to be ready for whenever his number is called. On Sunday evening against the Los Angeles Lakers, number 10 is up. 

"I'm extremely excited,” Smith said. “It's the game I love. So anytime I'm out there on the court, I will just be happy and show that I love it. Play my game and just give effort and continue just to play hard."

preparation-meets-opportunity

PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY

MILWAUKEE — Devin Booker scored 42 points to set an NBA record for most points scored by a player during their first playoff run, but the Bucks made the key plays down the stretch to capture a 109-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum to even the NBA Finals 2-2.

The Suns led by seven with less than nine minutes to play and held a 95-90 advantage when Cam Johnson hit a bank shot with 5:52 to play. But then Milwaukee staged a 7-0 run, capped by a Pat Connaughton 3-pointer, to take a two-point lead. Khris Middleton (40 points, six rebounds, four assists) later broke a 99-99 tie by scoring eight consecutive points, a stretch that also included Giannis Antetokounmpo going airborne for a brilliant block on a potential game-tying alley-oop finish by Deandre Ayton with 1:14 to play.

Booker scored 20 points in the first half and then a blistering 18 points on 7-of-7 shooting in the third quarter alone. He reached his final total while navigating foul trouble, sitting a five-minute stretch in the fourth quarter after picking up his fifth.

Suns coach Monty Williams pointed to the Suns' 17 turnovers for 24 points and the Bucks' 48-42 rebounding advantage as the aspects that most hurt the Suns. The Bucks took 19 more shots than the Suns and had a 19-7 edge in second-chance points.

Game 5 is Saturday in Phoenix, before Tuesday's Game 6 in Milwaukee.

Monty Williams on what led to the loss: "The turnovers just crushed us tonight. We shot 50 percent from the field, but they got 19 more possessions. Over the course of the game when you just give it up that many times the turnovers and offensive rebounding was a bit of a hill for us to climb."

Devin Booker on his 42-point performance: "It doesn't matter at all. I said that after last game too, when I struggled shooting it. The main objective is to win the game. So anything that goes on throughout the game, it doesn't matter, for real."

Cam Johnson on the series: "You got to love it. You got to embrace it. This is what we all dreamed of being in this situation, right? There's no time to hang your head. There's no time to pout. This is 2-2 in the NBA Finals. We have an opportunity to do something really special and one thing Coach has said in the past is each game takes on a life of its own in the playoffs. And from a distance it's like a seven-game series, oh if a team beats you one time. No, every game takes on a life of its own. We got to be ready to capture the next one."

CLICK HERE for the Suns full media availability.

Devin Booker: 42 points, 2 assists, 1 rebounds, 1 block

Jae Crowder: 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assist, 3 steals, 3 blocks

Chris Paul: 10 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds

Cam Johnson: 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block

Deandre Ayton: 6 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks

Everyone has a voice in the Suns’ locker room, building trust and communication that led them to the NBA Finals

The Suns are led by two of the most vocal players in the NBA in Jae Crowder and Chris Paul. But as this thrilling season unfolded, many other Suns began to find their own voices and are now encouraged by Monty Williams to speak out and speak up.

"We all do it to a certain extent,” Devin Booker said. “Anybody can do that anytime on this team … Nobody takes it personal. Nobody gets mad at somebody for doing anything like that. I think it just brings our team together even more."

How the Phoenix Suns' consistent focus has guided them to NBA Finals

“Locked in” is a popular phrase used across sports at all levels to describe being singularly focused on the immediate task at hand. After a grueling 72-game regular season and three thrilling playoff series, it has never been more important for these Suns to exercise that mental approach. They will open the NBA Finals Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, embarking on their last stretch toward the ultimate summit.

The Suns are locked in on a formidable opponent. They are locked in on maintaining their style of play and everyday habits that got them this far. They are locked in on seizing four more wins, and clinching the first NBA title in franchise history.

Highlighted by the “Valley-oop,” Deandre Ayton’s game has reached new new heights during Suns’ playoff run

After the lengthy officials’ review, the crowd’s roar upon confirmation that his finish was legal and the endless hugs from teammates and coaches, Ayton emphatically agreed when asked if that was the best play of his life. The “Valley-oop” to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 104-103 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals is already an iconic moment in Phoenix Suns history.

It was also the latest reminder that Ayton’s consistent — and often dominant — play unfolding bit-by-bit during this electrifying postseason run has rapidly vaulted him into the conversation surrounding the NBA’s top-tier centers.

Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson’s bond off the floor is paying dividends on the court during the Suns postseason run

Johnson and Bridges are now known as “The Twins,” a nickname coined by Deandre Ayton because they are always around each other and play a similar position and style. After forming their initial bond heading into the 2019-20 season, Johnson’s and Bridges’ relationship flows from the locker room onto the court and epitomizes the Suns’ necessary trust, togetherness and overall synergy that has led them to the Western Conference Finals.

Why James Jones' NBA Executive of the Year Award arrived at the perfect time

On June 20, 2019, Jones helped launch the construction of the Suns’ roster now up 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals. And on June 20, 2021, Jones was named NBA Executive of the Year. What a difference two years can make.

Why the Phoenix Suns are fueled by attention to detail, an emphasis that will continue during Western Conference Finals

It takes talent, relentless drive and togetherness to become one of the NBA’s final four teams remaining in the postseason. But the Suns’ ability to reach this level of consistent, confident and clinical execution, particularly while winning a franchise-record seven consecutive playoff games, can be directly tied to their willingness to embrace the belief that everything counts. That attention to detail becomes even more critical with an NBA Finals berth on the line when Phoenix’s series against the Los Angeles Clippers begins Sunday afternoon, especially with Paul missing at least Game 1 while in health and safety protocols.

Torrey Craig's versatility and hustle are on display in Suns' playoff series against his former team

Craig is a versatile defender and willing rebounder on both ends. He will dive for 50/50 balls and flash his athleticism via deflections and blocks. He has gotten more offensive opportunities with the Suns as an outside shooter and authoritative finisher off cuts and in transition. Now, Craig is showcasing all of those attributes during a playoff series against his former team while providing a jolt to the Suns’ championship aspirations.

How the Phoenix Suns have created arguably the NBA’s best home-court advantage during the 2021 NBA Playoffs

That electric crowd is goosebumps-inducing in person and takes television viewers aback, prompting local pride and national attention. It has been praised by young Suns experiencing the postseason for the first time and veterans who have been through countless playoff games alike. That’s why it’s reasonable to wonder if — or conclude that — the Suns have quickly created the NBA’s best home-court advantage during these playoffs.

How the Suns’ full-throttle mentality propelled them to Western Conference Semifinals

The formal definition of the word “relentless” is “oppressively constant; incessant.” That descriptor has followed the Suns throughout this season, applying to their on-court style of play and their everyday habits while navigating this unique season. Knocking off the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs’ first round required a relentless approach, which now carries the Suns into the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets.

“It’s just how the guys are built, individually and as a collective group,” Booker said. “If you go down the list of all the players, there’s nobody that’s scared of the moment. There’s nobody that hasn’t prepared for this moment. This isn’t new. This is how we’ve been playing for most of the season. We’ve had ups and downs, but we’re a confident team and we play hard all the way through.”

General manager James Jones is using his championship pedigree to construct a Suns roster on the rise

Now in his third season as general manager of the Phoenix Suns, James Jones has taken his knowledge of what it takes to win a ring and is building a roster of like-minded players with high-IQs, unselfish personalities and relentless attitudes both on the court and behind the scenes.

The result is Phoenix’s dramatic rise over the past two seasons. The Suns went 51-21 during the 2020-21 regular season, finished second in a loaded Western Conference and enters Tuesday with the opportunity to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series against the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Thanks to a fresh start with the Suns, Cameron Payne is proving he belongs