Insider FLEX from Jersey Talks Suns, Playoff Run
Not many know the Phoenix Suns like Flex, a team insider who has over 23k followers on Twitter and wears many hats, one of which features work for KSRN Arizona.
Inside The Suns had the opportunity to sit down with Flex to get his thoughts and opinions on Phoenix's current playoff run:
Q: How did you become a Suns fan? What made you fall in love with the game?
A: I fell in love with basketball because I am the youngest of 14 kids. Everyone was a high level athlete, and played college athletics. I was a baseball player through and through in my early years. My family was so embedded in baseball, and when my brother (a baseball prodigy himself) passed away, I started to play basketball as an outlet to get away from the stressors surrounding baseball.
I fell in love with everything about the game, from the processing and skill required to succeed, to the art form it evokes. One of my brothers saw I was picking up basketball quickly. He rowed the seed of my fandom by taking 12-year old me to a Nets-Suns game. I vividly remember that Kevin Johnson had 38 points on Mookie Blaylock. Three days later my brother gifted me a KJ jersey and I decided to fall in love with the Suns and have never looked back.
Q: What’s your all time favorite Suns team? What did you love about it?
A: The 92-93 Suns unequivocally. I felt like that team was the one I was most personally connected to. I followed Barkley as my basketball fandom grew, and many of the residents in South Jersey were Sixers fans so it was natural to really familiarize myself with his game and the person he was. Having KJ and Barkley on the team was a match made in heaven.
I thought Thunder Dan (Majerle) was amazing, Cedric Ceballos and Tim Kempton are personal friends of mine. I also think that this team is probably the best overall. Truly believe we are champions that year if Ced (Ceballos) doesn’t get injured in the conference finals. I also can't help but give props to the 04-05 and 20-21 teams. Both of those teams were truly special as well.
Q: How do the Suns stack up against Denver assuming that’s the matchup we get next round?
A: I think it’s a great matchup. The Suns are a methodical team who likes to surgically and precisely tear up opposing defenses. The Nuggets are not nearly as physical as the Clippers, and I really think it’s going to be a skill-based chess match. Jokic got exposed on the defensive end against a much different Suns team two years ago. Jamal Murray will be a huge addition, but I really don’t fear anyone on that roster outside of he & 15 (Jokic.)
I also like the Suns’ chances of going to Denver and playing freely while Denver has all of the pressure on them in games 1 & 2. I also think an underrated aspect of the series is Monty (Williams) having the tactical advantage over Mike Malone.
Q: Is there a specific Suns role player that you see as a consistent game changer over the rest of this run?
A: I think it’s going to be Cam Payne. We haven’t seen him yet, he’s still easing his way back with an S1 bone contusion in his lower back. I think he’ll bring a change of pace compared to Chris Paul in his minutes, I think he can take (Landry) Shamet’s minutes and shots, and he adds an entirely different dynamic to this team when he returns. His return really does excite me.
I also wanted to mention that everyone I talk to mentions that Cam’s (Payne) peak in 2021 was directly correlated with Dario (Saric.) Dario and Cam would run a dynamic two-man game with the bench unit, and Dario’s ability to space the floor opened up a lot of things for Cam. I truly believe that the fact that KD is in that role now makes this a scary proposition for opposing defenses.
Q: Last question. Brooklyn’s season just ended, but how did you feel about Mikal and Cam’s performances in new uniforms? Is there any possibility one or both will come back eventually?
A: I watch every Nets game, especially now due to Cam and Mikal. I know both on a personal level, they are both awesome humans and I will always appreciate them. I’m intrigued with Cam’s impending free agency, I hope he gets compensated fairly. I know the Nets view Mikal as a building block and absolutely love what he's brought to the table already.
The entire locker room and front office believes he has become the franchise cornerstone in just these last two months. Despite all of that I do believe Mikal will find his way back to Phoenix in 2026. This was a situation that is very reminiscent of Steve Nash, when he was sent to Dallas and became an all star, returned to Phoenix due to his love for the city and team. I really do see a similar thing brewing with Mikal, he loves Phoenix, understands the motivations behind the move, and understands that it was possibly the best move for his career. There is no animosity there whatsoever. Not so sure about Cam, just due to his impending free agency. Devin is the only Sun under contract in 2026.
This coincidentally lines up with the free agency class headlined by Embiid, Giannis, Luka, and more. The Suns could have an opportunity to pursue one of those max players to pair with Devin, as well as potentially pursuing a reunion with Mikal. There may just not be enough room for Cam at that point.
