iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

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...

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

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."

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

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"

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

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

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

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

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

🚨 New Words 🚨 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...

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Ryan Dunn's at 43% on 14 attempts since returning to the main rotation The point of growth continues to be the confidence on the catch for him — seldomly do you see him in the catch & hold scenarios, he's made the quick decisions (shoot/pass/drive) a habit & that's a major positive

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Staying ready is a simple saying, but is tough to sustain when your minutes are sporadic — being a role player is tough & I salute Collin Gillespie 🫡 Also in his moment: • Moved tags • Screen rejects 2 things the Suns offense, at its best, excels at www.youtube.com/live/CGW9vsj...

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Running through Clippers film &, again, I enjoy Kris Dunn Has started the last 8 (29.3 MPG) • 9.3p (41.7% from 3)/5.3r/4.3a/3.3s (!) In this window: • 107.1 Drtg with him on • 2nd in NBA in deflections (40) • 1st in steals (26) Defensive playmaking POA-ers are invaluable

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

But then he goes & makes plays like these, both in meaningful moments Doing things in help & on-ball that no one else provides in their main rotation at the point of attack Again, Beal is fine. Not elite but certainly not a liability Leads the Suns in deflections (2.6) & steals (1.1) per game

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Immediate & sound lowman help from Bol, providing size in rotation Needs to stay disciplined with it all game, but good start there with that

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Simplify the reads, manipulate the tags, generate the shots you want Rinse & repeat

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Flaw in process as the Suns lean into their small-small screening process — Nuggets going switch & doubles to end Q2 Booker lets O'Neale know about it after the bucket that stems from the turnover Jones makes himself open for the spray, & you see the result Process is there for them

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Tough bucket from Booker here Good process into it to get this switch, times up the drive as Jokic vacates to reset the 2.9 Booker's consistency playing off 2 feet below the free throw line is such a great trait of his

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Good on Tyus & he's had the right mindset in this one Booker a pass away gives him protection & space, but Tuys engages then drags Jokić out Patience into another drive, into the finish

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Phoenix & the "Flare" for the dramatics Big-time pass from O'Neale, sensational hit from Allen, but it's the screen in process from Booker Notice how he takes *how* he's guarded & that plays into the flare advantage created

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

8 assists on 10 FGM in Q3 Quick action for Allen gets an initial under to keep him to the sideline. Because of how Booker's guarded this' now a 4v4 in space Great pass from Plumlee & quick skip from Jones — the ball movements surfaced

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Has been an impactful multi efforts showing from Nick Richards in this one 10p/10r/4b & a ton of activity within it all

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Some very disciplined & active moments in drop today from Nick Richards Watch him find the midline here then showcase the mobility to get back to the roller off the pocket pass 4 blocks for him ties a season-high

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Pistol 5 for the first time with anybody not named Beal Gets Jones downhill early, eventually sees him iced in the corner Really good 45-cut from Dunn, these are the things he bring & they'll need with the switching volume of Utah

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

2nd or 3rd time I've said "what a rotation" from Lu Dort in this one

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

OKC sneaks a wing onto Plumlee now Suns are momentarily flattened out by it but it's, again, a good Beal drive on the probe to engage help, leading to a 3PA Green shot quality for Allen in the corner

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Good angle flip here from Richards + counter from Booker, gets access to the nail help, & O'Neale's wide open for yet another 3 He's up to 15p on 5-for-5 from 3 OKC betting on their rotations back out to Suns shooters + conceding a few, erring on help first

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Again, Suns go to their shallow cut in flow to move nail help, but because it's Jones it doesn't matter because they're ducking under his PnRs with the 5 Nextone gets switched guard-guard, & he's then doubled off by Caruso Good middle flash & aggression on the catch

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

The way teams don't even bat an eye helping off Jones in multiple contexts of play when he's off it, these are the exact shots on decisiveness they need him to knock down He's had his bouts with it but if he remains in the starting unit, this' how it has to look

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Enjoyed the Q1 process from Beal in this one — everything downhill & in the paint, or off the threat of that & has enjoyed successes off how OKCs loaded up on Booker's touches too 9 in Q1 on 3-for-4 from 2

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Very clever from Devin Booker here Steals the tip anticipating where it's going, into a layup to start OT

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Reasons why you foul when up in these scenarios #1584628 Blazers don't, Suns play into the game tying 3 from Royce O'Neale

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Fun that the bucket that did it for Booker as the franchise leading scorer came via a three The shot that's expedited his ascension up those ranks, & that'll continue to unlock dynamics of his game True three-level, multifaceted, capital B Bucket 🪣

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

More patience at points of attack from Booker, cycling through counters to coverage Screen reject allows him to engage the nail help as they try to side him coverage-wise — O'Neale 3 Then the retreat dribbles create space + leverage off the screen as Ayton gets up to the level — another O'Neale 3

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Really good Plumlee minutes early in this one, doing a ton of the little things Booker with the early offense hunt screen to play to POR's touch principles Good Plumlee patience into the roll, then the right 45 skip to get POR rotating

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Will continue to tap the sign on Bookers pull-up 3's & the why behind when he goes to them — especially with the space he's been in of late High pickup point from POR & just likE Saturday, early on Ayton is attached to the paint Booker pulling Ayton out of that coverage is a thing to watch

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Feels like the first time the Suns ball movement has been faster than the Blazers rotations tonight Again, a credit to Portland for their efforts in execution but the Suns haven't sharp in their advantage creation process tonight

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

I've never seen a wedgie occur **after** the ball has already taken a bounce on the rim This one's different man lol

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Beal with the separation into the middy Again though, at the helm is Booker creation rotations The snake dribble & dragging that out pulls 2, creates a single side tag for Avdija in help, & Beal now has a catch in advantage

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

With how Phoenix has stashed guards in the dunker spot to manipulate space & clear wings up top, these scenarios often show for them Pet 3-play action from the slot with Durant on the shallow cut to remove nail help Booker turns the corner, & Jones is in position off the low help

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Minnesota mixing in doubles, Durant in PnRis the trigger Good short-roll rep from Plumlee, & a sensational cut + decision on the touch from Dunn Wide open Allen corner pocket 3

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Booker, Durant, & Beal all in double-digits scoring in this one at the half 43 points combined, on a collective 72% from them (18-25)

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

This sequence of defensive activity from the Suns, on Anthony Edwards Suns had pockets in the first half where the defense was active across the board

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Haven't seen this one in awhile Suns go elbow entry into stagger away, but it's Booker handling with Beal in movement strong side Staggers serve as misdirection to clear the paint, Beal sneaks backdoor to counter the gap defense

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Kevin freaking Durant, you know who he is

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Double Drag & Booker probes (!) then nets the Gobert switch Resets, then collapses the defense + flattens the help before the corner kick into a Durant 3 I've spoken a lot about *this* dynamic of Booker's game returning of late

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

LAC has been comfortable helping off the corners in multiple instances — working the shrink the floor on Booker & Durant Suns role players have been up to the task to counter that, knocking down 3's Wonder how long LAC stays in that coverage before shifting some

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Am enjoying Richards vs Zubac in this one Richards with a great re-screen angle that then opens himself into the roll as Zubac has to commit to the ball

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

The Clippers are one of the few teams that matchup hunt as often if not more than the Suns Great job with this pre-switch between Jones & Allen, then Allen sharp keeping Harden to his right with Beal loaded to the strong side block Slight shift for the charge

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Suns not pressing the mismatch button too soon, but have clearly desired the Harden on-ball matchup for their primary actions Good patience from Durant into this middy

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

One of the things I spoke to wanting to see reps of in a Suns context for Nick Richards was his short-roll comfortability With how teams like to defend PHX (Ice coverage, 2 to the ball) he'll have to be effective decision making in the pocket This'll be relevant tonight vs LAC

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

To be on this list & have remained efficient on volume through non winning years, maintain, add to your game, & still ascend like this as a *scoring guard* is remarkable Don't let this season, the moment or the way discourse flows to take away from this accomplishment Tough..

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Amidst many other things he's done well tonight, Richards also spacing & cutting in a timely manner off Durant's post-up's Sync's it up as his man leaves to flood the strong side block Quick flashes to space undo coverage & net him FTA's

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Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 @stephenpg3.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Defense is tough to play. It's making connected decisions to neutralize action happening against you in real-time, finding success in imperfect scenarios Booker & Richards have the slightest hesitancy, & DC sniffs it out Watch their communication, & Richards' time on task as lowman

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