Overnight sensations are not uncommon in American culture, from Jimi Hendrix to Fernando Valenzuela, from Jeremy Lin to Kim Kardashian.*
The 2025-26 Phoenix Suns are requesting a seat at the table.
They are a basketball team that is restoring our faith in everything: In the magic of sports; in the power of belief; in the sincerity of elite coaching; in the vision of Mat Ishbia; in the knockout power of a truly connected basketball team, when five fingers become a clenched fist; and, of course, in the long-suffering plight of Valley sports fans.
We needed this. After big-time whiffs from the Diamondbacks following their World Series appearance in 2023 … after witnessing the Kyler Murray Era and an NFL team that has lost 45 of its past 64 games … after a miserable experience with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal and our very first “Super Team” … after losing our hockey franchise and a College Football Playoff game on an ill-fated blitz …
Yes, we needed this.
As a sports market, we are too big to fail this miserably. We are not Buffalo, New York. We are a region of nearly 6 million people. Our potential is infinite, and yet all of our major professional teams have failed miserably to permanently unite us in the bliss of collective fandom. They have kept our passions thin and our loyalties mixed. For shame.
The current Suns are an exception, and they seem to have dropped from a fever dream. People mocked Ishbia for his new owner syndrome, for thinking the solution was more of a fast-talking mortgage billionaire. They mocked Brian Gregory, a basketball lifer but a newbie to the NBA, who somehow used the word “alignment” over 20 times in his debut press conference.
They have proven everyone wrong. They have spoken their vision into existence.
Next, Jordan Ott. He is clearly the frontrunner for NBA Coach of the Year, no matter how many games the Thunder win as defending champions. As a rookie head coach, he is doing elite stuff, from preparation to in-game maneuvers. He was the first to handcuff Victor Wembanyama. He’s had zero growing pains on the job. To the contrary, he’s acting like a young Beethoven.
Next, Dillon Brooks, the hero we all needed. He is our retribution, our payback for every player and team that has punked the Suns in the past few years without fear of clapback. His commitment to being Dillon Brooks is breathtaking, and that’s coming from someone who covered Dennis Rodman.
Brooks’ madman energy has helped fuel Collin Gillespie, who fueled Jordan Goodwin. Before his injury, Grayson Allen was enjoying the best year of his career.
Everything is working. No one is unhappy. And the organizational plan to keep Mark Williams healthy has unearthed a gold mine, a center who does more than talk big. He plays big, where his impact always exceeds his statistical line. He is cold and vicious like a polar bear, and the polar opposite of Deandre Ayton.
In sum, this team feels organic and pure, just like the legendary Bubble Suns that came together in Orlando during a pandemic. They might be on the verge of something special. They feel like a gift for all our collective suffering.
And long overdue.
*Kim Kardashian was on the scene the last time the Suns triggered an NBA revolution. She was a stylist for pop star Brandy, who was engaged to Suns’ sharpshooter Quentin Richardson, who was a backcourt mate of the legendary Steve Nash. Richardson only lasted one year in the Valley, but during that season, Kardashian was often seen hanging out at the arena. Former Suns players from that era are generally astounded at how far she has travelled and how wealthy she has become.
Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
