Empire of the Suns

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Kevin Zimmerman and Kellan Olson break down the storylines surrounding the Phoenix Suns every week. From in-depth analysis to breaking news reactions, the Empire of the Suns podcast has you covered for everything Suns.

Arizona Sports


    • May 21, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 383 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Empire of the Suns podcast is a must-listen for any Phoenix Suns fan. With knowledgeable hosts who always do their research, this podcast provides insightful analysis and thoughtful comments on the state of the team. Unlike other podcasts in the same genre, Empire of the Suns stands out for its professionalism and respect for the audience's time. They keep it real without resorting to excessive profanity or filler content.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the hosts' expertise and attention to detail. Kellan and Kevin have a deep understanding of basketball and provide unique insight on prospects, as well as thoughtful commentary on team management decisions. Their analysis goes beyond just discussing current games, but also encompasses the organization as a whole. This comprehensive approach sets them apart from other Suns-focused podcasts.

    Another notable aspect of Empire of the Suns is its even-keeled approach. The hosts strike a good balance between optimism and realism, offering level-headed perspectives on both successes and challenges faced by the team. This measured tone allows listeners to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the Suns' performance.

    While there are plenty of positive aspects to Empire of the Suns, one potential downside is that it may not cater to fans looking for an overly enthusiastic or energetic podcast experience. The hosts maintain a calm demeanor throughout episodes, which may not resonate with those seeking more passionate discussions about their favorite team.

    In conclusion, The Empire of the Suns podcast is a standout in a crowded field of Phoenix Suns podcasts. With knowledgeable hosts who prioritize research and provide insightful analysis, this podcast offers valuable perspectives on all facets of the team's performance and management decisions. While it may lack excessive enthusiasm at times, it makes up for it with well-reasoned observations and informative discussions. If you're looking for a high-quality basketball podcast that respects your time and delivers consistent value, look no further than Empire of the Suns.



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    Latest episodes from Empire of the Suns

    The Suns' head-coaching search is down to a few guys

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 28:02


    The Phoenix Suns are eyeing Micah Nori, Sean Sweeney, Chris Quinn and a handful of other head-coaching candidates. That and NBA Playoffs talk.

    The optics don't look great around the Suns' promotion of GM Brian Gregory

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 21:13


    Brian Gregory is now in charge of the Phoenix Suns' front office, a move that leaves a lot more questions than answers for Mat Ishbia as CEO Josh Bartelstein and now-senior advisor James Jones appear to be taking on lesser roles.

    Mat Ishbia's accountability about Suns is self-aware but still leaves questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 47:37


    Mat Ishbia, James Jones and Josh Bartelstein held a press conference to discuss Mike Budenholzer's firing and the Phoenix Suns' direction moving into a crucial offseason.

    Reaction to the Phoenix Suns firing Mike Budenholzer with Sam Cooper from The Timeline

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 34:07


    Sam Cooper from The Timeline joins Kellan Olson to discuss the firing of Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer on Empire of the Suns.

    Kevin Durant is hurt and the Suns are tailspinning to the end

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 31:43


    Will the Phoenix Suns still make the play-in despite Kevin Durant's injury and a return to poor play before it? We look at the final stretch of the season.

    The Suns are finally playing good ball: Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro appreciation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 47:09


    Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Cody Martin and Collin Gillespie have given the Phoenix Suns juice enough to revive their season. It's good basketball! Plus, Duke. Arizona.

    James Jones could be the Suns' scapegoat. Or he could help them dig out of this hole

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 33:32


    If the Phoenix Suns find James Jones to be the scapegoat, well, the next general manager better draft as well as him. We talk the importance of the upcoming draft, a few NCAA Tournament prospects to watch if you're the Suns and end with some 'Cats talk.

    It gets noisy around the Suns, plus a Bol Bol hat-tip

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 22:16


    The tumult around the Phoenix Suns has gone public with the Devin Booker and Mike Budenholzer friction. Plus, Bol Bol is doing some positive stuff!

    Where do the Suns go from here?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 23:32


    Kevin is back on the podcast but the Phoenix Suns' problems have only gotten worse in the past three weeks.

    Trade deadline recap w/ Sam Cooper

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 44:15


    Kellan Olson is joined by guest co-host Sam Cooper to run through the trade the Suns made before the deadline, and more importantly, the ones they did not make.

    This is a Suns podcast but Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 36:10


    This is a Suns podcast but Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. It might make the teams better this year? But the Dallas Mavericks still traded one of the best players ever in his prime.

    A pre-NBA deadline Q&A: Jimmy Butler and other Suns trade options

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 25:21


    Will the Phoenix Suns trade for Jimmy Butler? Is it a good idea? What else can they do before the NBA trade deadline. We answer our listeners' questions.

    Phoenix Suns make a trade before the possible Jimmy Butler trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 27:18


    It sure looks like the Phoenix Suns took another tiny step toward landing Jimmy Butler. What do we make of a 1-for-3 draft pick trade with the Utah Jazz?

    Suns keep digging for answers with Nick Richards trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 30:06


    The Phoenix Suns traded for Nick Richards, but it appears the rest of the NBA sees their busy phone lines as a desperate team trying to fix things by staying the course.

    Bradley Beal is benched and the smoke around Suns' Jimmy Butler trade interest is suffocating

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 32:30


    Jimmy Butler apparently wants the Suns. Phoenix apparently is interested in Jimmy Butler. Meanwhile, Bradley Beal doesn't appear entirely pleased after being benched. Buckle up, because it's conspiracy theory time!

    The sample size is too large to ignore: The Suns are one of the worst teams in the NBA lately

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 27:35


    The Phoenix Suns have failed to defend due to a handful of reasons of late. We run through the numbers of what's made them one of the worst teams in the league over the last several weeks.

    Devin Booker gets hurt, and a loss to the Pacers is a microcosm of the Suns

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 24:57


    Devin Booker is hurt just as Bradley Beal returned. Defensive lapses against the Pacers showed the Phoenix Suns are who they thought they are, regardless of who's healthy or who's head coach.

    Jimmy Butler is apparently interested in the Suns, just like this podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 40:27


    Jimmy Butler trade rumors are live thanks to reporting from Shams Charania and our John Gambadoro. What do we make of a potential Heat and Suns trade? We know Butler likes to make a scene on his way out of his past stops.

    The Suns need a break in the worst way

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 27:02


    We aren't making grand proclamations about the Phoenix Suns' losing streak! Or is this a shocker? They need to avoid losing stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as much as possible the rest of the way.

    We're learning about the Suns' weaknesses with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal out

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 30:54


    Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have gotten dinged up, and the Phoenix Suns have come down to earth after a red-hot start. How worried are we?

    Kevin Durant and the Suns' defense has them at 7-1 to start 2024-25

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 44:07


    Kevin Durant has been clutch. The Phoenix Suns' defense has been top-10 good. And that combination has Phoenix eeking out games despite some inconsistencies.

    Suns' vibes are mostly good through 4 games

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 32:22


    Mike Budenholzer's Phoenix Suns have shown their depth and promising efforts even through rough patches over their first four games. Ryan Dunn's stock is up, while Jusuf Nurkic's is down.

    Are the Suns 2024-25 title contenders? Plus, preseason takeaways and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 46:34


    With the Empire of the Suns duo hosting Arizona Sports at Night, Kellan and Kevin take advantage to touch on the Phoenix Suns' preseason and their title chances with a look at the NBA as a whole. Finally, we make our 2024-25 season predictions for MVP, title winner and more.

    Promising Suns preseason so far: Rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, 3-point volume stand out

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 24:31


    We know it's the preseason, but the Phoenix Suns' spacing on offense and contributions from its two draft picks Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro are hard not to notice.

    Suns media day reaction: Everyone is vibing, especially Bradley Beal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 38:25


    Bradley Beal admitted he struggled last year. He's just trying to have fun. We give our Phoenix Suns media day reactions and touch on the change in the Western Conference contenders stemming from the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.

    Al McCoy was more than a legend. Plus a look ahead to Suns media day

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 29:08


    We're back after an offseason hiatus. Kellan and Kevin remember Al McCoy being larger than life before looking ahead to Phoenix Suns media day.

    Suns waive Nassir Little, and can Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro find rotation time?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 19:11


    The Phoenix Suns waived Nassir Little and E.J. Liddell in a move that saves $10s of millions in taxes. Was it related to the Suns' confidence in their two quite unique rookies?

    The Tyus Jones signs with the Suns episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 37:06


    Why does the Tyus Jones signing only bring more questions for the Phoenix Suns? Plus, we take in what Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have done for USA Basketball in wins over Serbia and South Sudan.

    Suns land Monte Morris, Mason Plumlee in free agency

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 25:37


    The Phoenix Suns didn't do anything groundbreaking but added two reliable veterans at point guard and center: Monte Morris and Mason Plumlee.

    Oso Ighodaro is the Suns' 2nd-round pick, Jalen Bridges signs a 2-way

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 51:29


    The Phoenix Suns' 2024 NBA Draft is complete with a couple of trades to add Oso Ighodaro out of Marquette, and the team even followed by signing Jalen Bridges on a two-way deal. Plus, an NBA free-agency preview.

    Suns pick Virginia's Ryan Dunn after an NBA Draft-day trade with Nuggets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 34:39


    Ryan Dunn went 58th overall to the Phoenix Suns, who piled up picks from the Denver Nuggets in the process. While the Virginia wing is perhaps one of the best defenders in the 2024 NBA Draft class, his offensive holes leave concerns about his upside.

    Our Phoenix Suns NBA Draft big board for the 22nd pick

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 74:11


    We run down each of our top players in the 2024 NBA Draft who should be in range of options for the Phoenix Suns with their No. 22 overall selection.

    The big 2024 NBA Draft preview: Do Suns swing big or play it safe?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 56:24


    The Phoenix Suns will have plenty of experienced, ready-to-go prospects available to them in the 2024 NBA Draft. But if they stay at No. 22, high-ceiling prospects could also be there. Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman are joined by draft guru Damon Allred to cover a laundry list of prospects and how they might fit in Phoenix.

    Why the Suns will work out Bronny James before the draft + an NBA Finals preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 35:37


    The Phoenix Suns working out Bronny James before the NBA Draft doesn't have much to do with that LeBron fella. Plus, a look at the new G League team's situation and an NBA Finals preview.

    Mike Budenholzer's intro and the big 'Do the Suns need a PG?' discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 59:41


    Mike Budenholzer held his introductory press conference, and we go deep on what having a "point guard" means for the Phoenix Suns.

    Frank Vogel is fired, Suns eye Mike Budenholzer for job - May 9

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 37:31


    Frank Vogel was fired by the Phoenix Suns after a lengthy evaluation process, and it looks like they will quickly pursue a replacement for the job. Former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is the frontrunner.

    We're still waiting on Frank Vogel's future with the Suns

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 35:28


    Why are the Phoenix Suns still without a resolution to Frank Vogel's job status? Who are coaches on the market if the Suns move on? 

    Suns' season mercifully ends and Frank Vogel's job is on the line

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 35:25


    Devin Booker and Kevin Durant couldn't pull the smallball Suns past the Timberwolves in Game 4, ending their season with a sweep. Now, head coach Frank Vogel's job is the first thing to watch.

    The Suns look rutterless in Game 3 loss to T-Wolves

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2024 22:56


    Anthony Edwards went off, the Suns got away from the things that kept them in it and boos were heard in Game three of their series against the Timberwolves.

    The Suns still turning the ball over as of Game 2 of the playoffs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 36:16


    The Timberwolves scored 31 points off turnovers as the Phoenix Suns fell apart in Game 2 of the first-round series.

    The T-Wolves look legit in Game 1 win against the Suns

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 33:50


    Anthony Edwards went wild and the Phoenix Suns lost a lot of the key stats in a Game 1 first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

    Suns get a full playoff series vs. the Wolves. How favorable is it really?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 49:50


    The Phoenix Suns somehow find themselves in a full playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who they swept in the regular season. Can they continue stopping Anthony Edwards? And are Devin Booker and Kevin Durant able to trend in a positive direction with Bradley Beal already hitting the postseason playing well?

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