Brad Cesmat
We will hear the term “jell” regarding the Suns. Jell is code for, “we aren’t good right now, but we think we can be, just stick with us”. Teams and media that repeatedly use this term hope for a ratings point or click on a story or podcast. I mean what are they supposed to say? “We’ve screwed this thing up so badly since we bought the team, we don’t know how we’re going to get out of this hole”. Telling the truth to the fans doesn’t bring profitable results to the bottom line, though being truthful will build a strong, trusting fan base…
Where are the Suns in this post-Durant era? Are they the eighth-best team in the West? Fifth? Houston has gotten stronger. The same is true of Denver. OKC is OKC. San Antonio has Wemby, who is a year older. Dallas has gotten much better. Clippers? Lakers? Golden State? I can’t make a compelling argument that our heroes on the hardwood here in Phoenix will be anything special in late April when the playoffs start. I don’t count much of anything from October to early April..
Last week, I mentioned that Arizona State Athletic Director Graham Rossini could use depth within the athletic department. Charli Turner Thorne’s name came into my inbox more than a dozen times last week…
In March of 2017, Arizona State football opened up a 118,669-square-foot weight room on the north end of Sun Devil Stadium. Less than ten years later, I understand that a significant upgrade is being discussed. The Big 12 weight rooms have left ASU behind. Once upon a time, a weight room was the most crucial selling point for a player to commit to a program; now, the conversation includes “how much money are you going to pay us to come here?” That doesn’t mean facility upgrades are not essential, but the era of building waterfalls(at Clemson) and barber shops in one place is likely not as vital as it once was. Throwing metal around is…
Sam Leavitt’s Heisman campaign media blitz is already in motion at Arizona State. He’s already behind the eight-ball because of the East Coast, South elitism in Heisman voting. 
The Sun Devil game at Mississippi State in early September will be his chance to show the SEC blueblood media that they should be open-minded to someone.
I’m going to start a mailbag segment like my buddy Jon Wilner does here on the site. Send your questions to Brad@sports360az.com
Larry Fitzgerald’s son will announce his college decision this weekend. He won’t be staying home.
July 5th👀 pic.twitter.com/kte7pnCzR2
— Devin Fitzgerald (@devinfitz118) July 1, 2025
For those who like to plan and need an excuse, Arizona State basketball will play at the University of Hawaii before heading to Maui for the holiday invitational during Thanksgiving week. “Hey, Honey, I need to go cover Bobby Hurley over the holidays in late November, and yes, I’ll be taking my golf clubs”…
Without Caitlin Clark, the WNBA players would still be flying three to aisle on Southwest, yet they voted her the ninth-best player at her position. Do they not understand what she has done for the League? I don’t care if she talks trash; the numbers don’t lie. Your most valuable asset should be protected off the court…
Between Eliav Gabay and future Arizona Sports Hall of Famer Jeff Metcalfe, NO ONE has a better duo weighing in on all things related to the Mercury than us…
Valle Luna owner Bill Riddle should be inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. We lost Bill last week. Future columns will discuss this topic in more detail…
I was in a workout earlier this week at MOVE Performance, and Bruce Branch was working out across the room. He’s likely the next NBA top prospect to come out of our state. After winning a state title at Perry, he’s moving on to Prolific Prep in Florida. He didn’t show all his game with Koa Peat on the floor, but he is likely to follow the Jalen Williams, Cody Williams, and Peat train to the next level. Great-looking player…
Do you like announcers whining about strike zones when the Diamondbacks are at bat? Me either…
You have to figure something significant will happen for the Hometown Nine before the trade deadline. Either they are going to go for it, or it would be prudent to tear off some layers. I can’t just see adding a middle reliever and calling it a day. The onus is on the GM. The manager is doing his best with band-aids, duct tape, and bailing wire.
As Kyler goes, so go the Cardinals in 2025. Rinse, repeat…
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