Brad Cesmat
Danny Ainge strikes again!
It should come as no surprise that the former Suns guard is controlling the narrative in this weeks NBA Draft. I think that any of us who covered Ainge as a player, coach, and young GM knew that he was one that you couldn’t take your eye off of for a minute, for fear he’d do something on or off the court that would give him an advantage. As Celtics GM he fleeced Brooklyn of two first round picks by handing them 37 year-old Kevin Garnett and 36 year-old Paul Pierce at the end of their careers. He controls the top of the draft and as I am banging this out is reportedly close to sending the number one overall pick to Philadelphia. Boston will drop down to third and stockpile more future first rounders(perhaps pursue Anthony Davis in New Orleans?) . Let’s not forget that Ainge got over on the Suns by convincing them to ship Isiah Thomas to Boston…
As for the Suns, I am of the mindset that you won’t be able to judge their success or lack-thereof until we get into the July 1st free agency period. Simply taking a player at #4 (or trade back with Sacramento for #5 and #10) won’t cut it for me. If Lonzo Ball is there at 4, the Suns HAVE to take him. He is the answer to fill needs on and off the court for a franchise that simply hasn’t had much buzz or star power in several years. De’Aaron Fox is next on my list. Draft one of those two and trade Eric Bledsoe as part of a package(other 1st round picks from Miami) for a 4 or 5 that can make a big impact…
Former Suns PR assistant Scott Leightman is coming back to Phoenix. After doing public relations/communications for USA Swimming, Lightman agreed this week to take over the day-to-day PR of the Fiesta Bowl. Good man. Good hire…
34 days until Arizona Cardinals training camp starts…
Grayhawk getting the NCAA Mens and Womens golf championships is not only great for the Valley sports scene, it probably will be a boon for other golf courses in what is typically a slower time of year for rounds played because of the weather. I’ve received several notes complaining about the potential for hot days, but I am not a weather man, so I can’t worry about things that I can’t control…
Befuddling how Arizona State mishandled the recruitment of Hamilton quarterback Tyler Shough, who committed to North Carolina this week. When the top in-state quarterback prospect gets offered in APRIL by Alabama and Michigan and you DON’T immediately offer him…well, it’s a bad message being sent out(and I am being kind). I had more than a few Valley high school coaches who sent me notes this week wondering what happened. I’ve been told that ASU had already offered a quarterback(who eventually committed to Washington State) and that offering Shough while waiting for an answer from the other QB would’ve been the wrong way to go. I don’t buy it. By the time ASU did offer him over Memorial Day it was waaaayyyyyy too late…
Looking forward to having KPNX(Channel 12) anchor Caribe Devine in studio this week for the next Arizona Media Podcast…
The Coyotes clean out their front office(no surprise),trade Mike Smith(and eat salary) and still have to demonstrate to Shane Doan that they are committed to winning? How exactly is that supposed to happen in the next few weeks? Same goes for head coach Dave Tippett? I know, I know, give them the benefit of the draft and free agency to see what they can do. Problem with that thinking is, why should I give them the benefit of ANYTHING after what’s gone on with ownership and the building situation in Glendale? What exactly have they done on a CONSISTENT year after year basis to earn a hall pass?…
