First it was Love, then LeBron, and now we seem to be truly focused on important things. Chiefly, what to do about the Eric Bledsoe situation. Let me explain how this contract negotiation is being handled from both camps. First there's a insulting offer, followed by a public statement of, "we're not trying to make an insulting offer." It's an amazing and endlessly entertaining situation when every party can be wrong. Suns owner Robert Sarver joined the Burns and Gambo show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday evening, unsolicited mind you, to discuss how the back and forth with Mr. Bledsoe is going.
Gambo also penned this open letter to Bledsoe, identifying agent Rich Paul as the reason we can't seem to figure out a contract extension.
Current NBA executives and prominent sports agents with no vested interest in the Suns were asked if they thought the offer from Phoenix was fair. Under the condition of anonymity the consensus was unanimous.
Here's one perspective, suggesting that Bledsoe and the Suns could learn from Patrick Peterson's recent negotiations with the Arizona Cardinals.
So far Bledsoe's winning this summer. His handpicked "Team Birmingham" defeated the Gilbert Arenas coached "Ball Up," their first loss in four years, at Lawson State Community College over the weekend. Check out the highlights, featuring Bone Collector. Yes, Bone Collector.
Everyone will rank crimes differently, but driving intoxicated is in my opinion an incredibly disgusting and heinous act that is not taken seriously enough in this country. P.J. Tucker stated, "I will not let you down," in a statement following his sentence of 3 days in jail and 11 days of home detention for driving under the influence on May 10th.
T.J. Warren and Tyler Ennis had themselves a photo shoot at the 2014-15 Rookie Symposium. Sadly, no Bogdan Bogdanovic. I've got you covered though.
The Cavaliers are still making moves. While talk of different packages that involve Kevin Love, Andrew Wiggins, and Anthony Bennett continue to circulate, Cleveland is now making a play to bring former Sun Shawn Marion to the Eastern Conference.
I don't know about you, but Greg Monroe remaining unsigned makes me a little uncomfortable. I fall into the camp that thinks the Detroit big man would be an awful fit with the Suns, and I understand that seems to be the most popular opinion. Still, I would rather he just go ahead and ink a new deal so I don't wake up one day to the news that the Suns tempo hit a brick wall overnight. At least one teammate in Detroit expects to see Monroe in a Pistons uniform next season.
Phoenix fans will eat this up. When Isaiah Thomas talked with SB Nation's Sactown Loyalty about future meetings between the Suns and Kings, he left nothing up to interpretation. "I tell everybody I love Sacramento, I always will love Sacramento, but when we play them I'm going to kill Sacramento." "Kill Sacramento." That's the early favorite for my fantasy basketball team name next season.
A pair of former Phoenix Suns coaches reunite in Brooklyn to help lead the Nets following the departure of Jason Kidd.
Former Sun Grant Hill and his wife Tamia are donating $1.25 million to support Duke University athletics and the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. This gift will contribute to the success of Duke Forward, a $3.25 billion fundraising effort. That's billion, with a "b." Like "Ball State" where I went to school. I don't know if you've ever heard of it, it's a little different than Duke.
Western Conference potholes. Here's a look at what the path to the playoffs could look like for the Suns next season.
NBA bookkeeping. Click on this and thank me later. Some helpful information as we navigate these frightening free agent times, as well as some fascinating contract quirks you probably didn't know existed.
Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale is hosting auditions for Phoenix Suns dancers on August 9th. That's this Saturday. Stop reading NBA blogs and get your fat ass in the gym. By the way, bring a head shot, but know that it will not be returned.
I deliberately didn't include anything about the Paul George injury. You're welcome.