Ben York

Footprint, a materials science technology company, and Suns Legacy Partners, LLC, operators of the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Footprint Center, today officially opened doors on the recently transformed Footprint Center.

Leadership from Footprint, and the Suns and Mercury joined City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and champions of sustainability to formally dedicate Footprint Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of fans at 201 E. Jefferson Street in downtown Phoenix.

The event took place between a rare NBA/WNBA doubleheader. The Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns took the win over the Portland Trail Blazers in their final preseason game, ahead of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals featuring the 3-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury versus the Chicago Sky.

“Just last night, the Phoenix City Council and I approved an updated, comprehensive Climate Action Plan that accelerates our goal to reach net-zero before 2050,” said Mayor Gallego. “I’m proud to have partners like the Suns and Footprint who are fully engaged in creating a healthy, sustainable future for Phoenix.”

Footprint co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Yoke Chung and Suns Legacy Partners, LLC President and CEO Jason Rowley reiterated their commitments to a plastic-free world beginning with the newly-named arena.

“Today marks the culmination of the past 18 months transforming Footprint Center into a world-class entertainment experience for fans, while planning to reduce our carbon footprint through the design and construction process,” said Rowley. “We are confident that through the support, commitment and hard work of all stakeholders, Footprint Center will serve as the model sports and entertainment venue for sustainable innovation.”

Beginning with the Suns regular season home opener on October 20, fans will start seeing plastic bowls, plates, utensils, and straws replaced with Footprint’s plant-based solutions. The progress marks the first step of a journey in the reduction and elimination of single-use plastics, a journey that everyone involved recognizes will take time and collaboration.

“When we started Footprint in 2014, we had big dreams to apply our materials science expertise to solve the hard problem of getting plastic away from food and transforming the supermarket. Our innovative plant-based fiber solutions are on store shelves and in freezer cases today,” Footprint co-founder and CEO Yoke Chung said. “Sports venues are another relatively untapped opportunity to transform and reduce waste and we’re proud to be part of paving the way to a healthier planet at Footprint Center.”

Footprint also welcomed today its first sustainability ambassador, future NFL Hall of Famer and part owner of the Phoenix Suns, Larry Fitzgerald.

“As a father of three and a lover of travel I want to see our world be a safer and more sustainable home for future generations. Footprint’s vision of reducing and even eliminating toxins from the food we eat is a landmark step in the right direction,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m going to be taking Footprint Foundation’s Pledge2050 that I encourage all of you to take as well, committing to what we can do to reduce plastic waste in our lives. Together we can change things – whether it’s at a football game, a basketball game, a concert or at home.

Since the Footprint Center arena transformation began in 2020, over 8,200 tons of material have been diverted from landfills, 757 tons of plastic and metal have been recycled, touchless faucets and toilets help conserve water, new LED lighting has been added in all finished spaces, and new energy efficient mechanical systems with economizers for more fresh air were added. Prior to the transformation, the arena transitioned to solar through partner APS in 2012; making it one of the first venues to take this step at the time.

Footprint provides sustainable solutions that eliminate single-use and short-term use plastics. Footprint uses material science and process engineering to design, develop and manufacture plant-based biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable products that compete with plastic’s cost and performance. These solutions, digestible by the earth, keep harmful chemicals away from consumers and have directly already led to a redirection of 61 million pounds of plastic waste from the environment. Footprint is rapidly expanding into new categories with differentiated solutions for customers and has 2,430 U.S and foreign issued and pending patent claims. Customers include Conagra, Sweetgreen, Beyond Meat, as well as Fry’s and other national and international food companies and retail chains.

Footprint was founded in 2014 by former Intel engineers, Troy Swope and Yoke Chung. The company employs more than 2,500 employees, with operations in the U.S., Mexicali, Europe, and Asia. Footprint was named to the 2020 Fortune “Change the World” list, is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Innovators Community and was named a CNBC Disruptor 50 company in 2021. For more information on Footprint’s sustainable solutions visit www.footprintus.com. To find out more about Footprint Foundations Pledge 2050, committing to getting rid of plastic water bottles, utensils, bags and straws, look here: https://pledge2050.org/

Led by Managing Partner Robert Sarver, Suns Legacy Partners, LLC operates the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Footprint Center. The Suns are Arizona’s original professional sports franchise anchored by 2021 Coach of the Year Monty Williams, 2021 Executive of the Year general manager James Jones and a roster featuring future Hall of Famer Chris Paul and All-Star Devin Booker. The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury are celebrating its 25th season led by Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Footprint Center in the heart of downtown Phoenix, recently underwent a $245 million transformation, making it the preeminent destination for sports and entertainment in the southwest and a living laboratory for sustainability.

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SUNS LEGACY PARTNERS, LLC AND FOOTPRINT FORMALLY DEDICATE SUSTAINABILITY EPICENTER

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns today re-signed point guard Chris Paul to a multiyear contract.

In his first season with the Suns in 2020-21, Paul finished fifth in NBA MVP voting and was an All-NBA Second Team selection, helping the Suns win the Western Conference title. In 70 regular season games, he averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 assists (3rd in the NBA), a 3.99 assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd) and 1.41 steals (16th) while shooting 49.9% from the field, 39.5% from three-point range and a league-leading 93.4% from the free throw line. In 20 playoff games during the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals, Paul averaged 19.2 points and 8.6 assists, shooting 49.7% from the field and 44.6% from three-point range.

Paul ranks fifth in NBA history in career assists (10,275) and career steals (2,332) with both marks being the highest among all active players, and he is 22 points shy of becoming the first player in NBA history with at least 20,000 points and 10,000 assists. His All-NBA selection last season was his second straight and the 10th of his career, which is second most among all active players behind only LeBron James. An 11-time NBA All-Star and the 2013 All-Star Game MVP, Paul has played in 1,090 career regular season games with New Orleans, the LA Clippers, Houston, Oklahoma City and the Suns, holding career averages of 18.3 points, 9.4 assists and 2.1 steals, shooting 47.2% from the field, 37.1% from three-point and 87.3% from the free throw line. He has led his team to the playoffs in 13 of his 16 NBA seasons, including each of the past 11 years.  

The Winston-Salem, N.C. native is a nine-time All-Defensive selection including seven times being named to the First Team. Representing the United States men’s national team, Paul is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, helping the U.S. to undefeated, first-place finishes in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. Originally the fourth overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest University, Paul was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2005-06.

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SUNS RE-SIGN CHRIS PAUL

LOS ANGELES — Deandre Ayton recorded his third consecutive double-double in the Phoenix Suns’ first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, but it was not enough as the Lakers won Game 3 109-95 Thursday night at Staples Center to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Suns got a 21-point Lakers lead down to eight on two occasions in the fourth quarter, but they could not get any closer. Cameron Payne (15 points, six assists) largely spearheaded the rally, again finishing the game at point guard after Chris Paul (seven points, six assists, five rebounds) left the contest after falling to the floor early in the final period.

Until that spurt, however, the Suns struggled to make shots against the NBA’s most efficient defense during the regular season. The Lakers also out-rebounded Phoenix 51-35, contributing to their 20 second-chance points and 58 points in the paint.

Suns All-Star Devin Booker finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Game 4 is at 12:30 p.m. Arizona time Sunday and will be televised by ABC.

Deandre Ayton: “Being poised throughout this series is key and taking our time. Sticking together, especially in games like this get lit and amped up, we just have to maintain discipline and just play the basketball we know.”

Cameron Payne: “Honestly, I just feel like we’ve got to stay locked in as a group through the ups and downs, through the adversity. We’re on the road. For the most part, I always feel like we do good on the road cause we’re such a tightknit team. Being on the road never really affected us because of how close we are off the court.”

CLICK HERE for the Suns full media availability.

Deandre Ayton: 22 points (11-15 FG), 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal

Devin Booker: 19 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds

Cameron Payne: 15 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 4 steals

Torrey Craig: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

Chris Paul: 7 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal

Thanks to a fresh start with the Suns, Cameron Payne is proving he belongs

Cameron Payne plays with a fiery passion that somehow looks both free and furious, prompting some to compare him to the “haboob” dust storms that disrupt the Valley air during the summer monsoon season. It’s a fitting style for Payne, a former lottery draft pick who had his NBA career stripped away in early 2019 and is now savoring his shot on a Suns team with championship aspirations.

The young Suns proved themselves under the bright lights, stepping up &amp; executing in their playoff debuts

Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson showed consistent effort all season, preparing them for the bright lights. They lived up to the moment in Game 1 and, in some cases, churned out historic stat lines — even during an intense game complete with the magnitude of the franchise’s first playoff game since 2010, a jarring injury to their Hall of Fame point guard and a scuffle that resulted in a teammate being ejected.

A frontrunner for NBA Coach of the Year, Williams’ immense impact on these Suns is woven throughout his motivational catchphrases, and how they resonate with his players.

There are enough “Montyisms” for Monty Williams to write a compilation book — which Devin Booker has publicly and privately suggested to his coach. Even while repeating them to players, Cam Johnson said, Williams will preface by acknowledging some might call them “corny” or “goofy” or “coach speak.” Yet Johnson says those mantras are “big-time anchors” that have kept the Suns emotionally centered during the franchise’s emphatic rise to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. They create personal connections with players by instilling belief and relaying constructive advice. They provide reminders that resurface in the head and heart when one least expects it, and can apply to both basketball and life.

Here's how Suns supporters have celebrated this resurgent season and return to the playoffs.

Suns.com gathered personal stories from 13 people connected to the organization. Some are longtime fans, and others are long-time employees in behind-the-scenes roles. Some are community partners who work with the Suns to make residents’ lives a little brighter. Some are natives, and some have returned home.

How these Suns have created a team spirit that threads the needle between intensely competitive and endearingly fun-loving.

“You look around the league at some teams, and not everybody has a vibe like this or an energy like this throughout,” Booker said. “I always say it’s a great environment to get better in. When you have everybody supporting you, everybody being honest with you — those are the same people that can give me constructive criticism at any point in the game, and I’m listening to them — that’s the name of our group, man.”

Culture, chemistry and overall spirit are intangible qualities that cannot be measured by traditional stats or advanced analytics. But players and coaches know it — feel it — when those attributes have manifested within a team.

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Chris Paul’s impact in The Valley has rejuvenated Suns basketball with an MVP-caliber season

Through his team’s journey to out-perform external expectations, his league’s-most-efficient playmaking and the leadership and passion he’s provided to the organization, Paul has entered the NBA Most Valuable Player conversation. And while making Paul’s case, one can draw parallels to the other Phoenix basketball icons who have won the award: Charles Barkley, Steve Nash and Diana Taurasi.

Phoenix Suns clinch playoffs, another step in franchise's resurgence.

The Suns’ full playoff berth is the latest benchmark in a historic turnaround. In less than two seasons, the Suns have transformed from a team that tied for the NBA’s second-worst record to one that currently possesses the league’s second-best record. Should that standing hold, the Suns would become just the third team since the NBA-ABA merger that jumped from bottom-two to top-two in two seasons or less, joining the Boston Celtics in 1979-80 and 2007-08.

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Lakers Take 2-1 Series Lead Over Suns

A few weeks ago, Al McCoy was immediately swarmed as he walked into the bar at Christo’s Ristorante on 7th Street. That’s not unusual. That’s everyday life for the legendary Voice of the Suns — especially during a season like this.

“I can’t go any place that I’m not just surrounded by people that want to know about players, the team, how great it is,” McCoy, “and it’s just been fantastic.”

This resurgent Suns season and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 is celebrated by far more than the players, coaches and basketball staff. As Arizona’s original professional sports franchise, the Suns are woven into the fabric of The Valley. Over the years, its people rallied around the 1976 Sunderella run that helped legitimize Phoenix as a major metropolitan area, overtook downtown streets for a parade following the 1993 Finals and were captivated by the Seven Seconds or Less era.As McCoy says: “Phoenix is a Suns town. It always has been. It always will be.” And even in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic that limited gatherings and in-person contact inside and outside Phoenix Suns Arena, the buzz is back.“You want to be in a place that loves their team, and the Suns’ fan base is second-to-none,” said Monty Williams, who has the perspective as an opposing player and staffer and now Phoenix’s head coach. “… When that place was rockin,’ it was different. If you could come out of here with a win (during the regular season), you felt like you almost won a playoff game … the fans were so crazy.”  

Suns.com's Gina Mizell and Cody Cunningham gathered personal stories from 13 people connected to the organization. Some are longtime fans, and others are long-time employees in behind-the-scenes roles. Some are community partners who work with the Suns to make residents’ lives a little brighter. Some are natives, and some have returned home. 

All have been swept up in this season’s unforgettable ride, and cannot wait for what’s to come. 

When Devin Booker checked out of the Suns’ April 28 victory over the Clippers, he hugged Jay Gaspar and said, “Welcome back to the playoffs.”

The special recognition was warranted. Gaspar is one of the organization’s longest-tenured employees, beginning as a ball boy at age 12 in 1987 and working his way up to head equipment manager over more than 30 years.During a season when very few have been around the Suns due to health and safety protocols, Gaspar has had one of the closest views. He constantly interacts with players and staff in the locker room, on the road and on the sideline during practices and games while preparing and distributing all gear from jerseys and sneakers to socks and headbands. 

“This is your second family,” Gaspar said. “You have three square meals a day with these guys.”

Gaspar’s longevity with the Suns means he has witnessed thousands of games, including the beloved Seven Seconds or Less era. During training camp, he felt a similar vibe with the 2020-21 team. He believes it stems from Chris Paul’s control of the floor, leadership and winning mentality “that rubs off on everybody,” along with a culture of togetherness this team has fostered under the season’s unusual circumstances.

“They just really like hanging around each other,” Gaspar said. “On the road, we’re not allowed to do what we’ve done in years past, when everybody goes their separate ways with friend and family and things like that.“It’s kind of the bubble mentality, where we basically stay in the hotel. They play video games. They play cards. They’re just friends.”

These days, more people stop to talk to Gaspar when he’s wearing Suns gear at the grocery store. He can feel the energy building from the floor, starting when a limited number of fans were welcomed back on Super Bowl Sunday through the regular-season finale. He has received a barrage of texts from former players about how fun this team is to watch and to pass along congratulations.

“It’s something that not only people the in the Valley are seeing,” Gaspar said. “It’s like, everybody that was a fan of those Suns teams — even the Barkley days — are happy to see the Suns back on the map.” 

When a game hits crunch time, Gaspar often hears Jae Crowder patrolling the sideline repeating, “What time is it? It’s winning time.” Gaspar cannot wait for that ritual to translate to playoff basketball.

“It’s good to see our team realizing the importance of this moment and that you can’t take this for granted,” Gaspar said. “It’s something that they need to capitalize on, because you never know if this team will be together next year. …

“They know what’s going on. They know there’s high stakes in every one of these games. It should be a fun ride.” 

EDDIE JOHNSON, FORMER PLAYER AND SUNS BROADCASTER

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 1990 playoffs with the best record in the NBA at 63-19, following a Finals appearance the year prior. However, the fifth-seeded Suns led by head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons pulled off the incredible upset, defeating the Lakers in just five games to advance to the Western Conference Finals. 

The city was buzzing following the series win over their division rival. And the fans wanted the team to hear and see their appreciation, their excitement and the overall support they had for their beloved Suns.

As the plane landed at Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix, thousands of fans greeted players as they walked into the boarding area. Among those receiving the special ovation was the “smooth-shooter” Eddie Johnson. 

“That experience was tremendous,” Johnson said. “It was ridiculous. It was the best reception. That right there epitomized how happy and how desperate for winning this organization and fans had been up until that point.”

The Suns color commentator for the past 20 years, Johnson has taken his high basketball IQ into the broadcast booth, becoming a recognizable voice for Suns’ basketball over the years. For decades, Johnson has witnessed the passion of Suns fans and the next level it reaches during the postseason.

“This team is this city's baby,” Johnson said. “This was the first professional franchise here. And because of that, the love is always going to be here. Suns fans have been waiting for this moment for a while, and now they have the opportunity.”

After experiencing such a tremendous run throughout the early 2000s with Steve Nash, Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, Johnson understands that it has taken a lot of patience from Suns fans to reach this point again. Johnson won’t be broadcasting Game 1 due to the game being televised by ABC, but highlighted that the Suns are receiving the nationally televised game because of what they have accomplished this season and not just because they’re playing the defending champions. 

“If the Lakers were playing a team that wasn't that good, I don't know if it would be on national TV the first day,” Johnson said. “It says a lot about where the Suns are and the expectations that this team has.”

Being a part of the broadcast team — and calling nail-biting games and intense series against teams such as the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs — is very special to Johnson. But as he reflected on past matchups, it just made him that much more ecstatic for Tuesday’s Game 2. 

“I've called so many games for the Suns over the years,” Johnson said. “There are so many games that stand out to me individually. Nothing, I think, is going to touch what I'm going to experience in Game 2 and Game 3 when I call the game.

SHAWN MARTINEZ, SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR LIVE PRESENTATION

Shawn Martinez pulled Devin Booker aside to ask what song to he wanted to hear as the Suns took the court for warm-ups. Booker encouraged Martinez, the Suns’ Senior Director of Live Presentation, to make the selection instead.

Martinez’s chose “What it Feels Like” by Jay-Z (one of Booker’s favorite artists) and Nipsey Hussle. And as superstitions go, the Suns kept winning, so Martinez kept that jam pumping before every home game.

“It was like, ‘Oh, it’s starting to feel like something’s happening here,’” Martinez said. “They’re all bobbing their heads. They’re all feeling it. They’re all vibing. That’s when you kind of know that some of the things that you’re doing help set the mood for them to play well.”This season has been a thrill for Martinez, who grew up in Arizona’s Navajo Nation and is now back with his home NBA team after stops with the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets. Through a headset while sitting at the end of the scorer’s table, Martinez “calls” all entertainment aspects of a game, including music, videos, Gorilla appearances and other elements that engage fans.

“It’s been the best ride I could ever imagine coming home to,” Martinez said. “ … I’m living my best life, having the best job, doing what I love. if you have a job that you love, it’s not really a job. You’re coming in to put smiles on people’s faces — not only the fans, but the players.”

This season, Martinez has worked with DJ Automatic and DJ Q Ward to create personalized playlists for each player’s pregame warm-up. He loves whenever owner Robert Sarver quickly joins the “slow clap” video prompt from his courtside seat, and when Jae Crowder yells “one … two … three!” from the bench after the Suns hit a shot from beyond the arc. He appreciates that general manager James Jones gives him a fist bump or “thank you” after every game. 

He also has a front-row view for the wild on-court moments. His favorite: the end of the third quarter of a May 7 game against the Knicks, when in a matter of seconds, Torrey Craig followed a Booker miss in transition and Cam Payne stole the inbound pass and nailed a jumper right before the buzzer.

“You see Coach (Williams) running out,” Martinez said. “Everybody’s running out so fired up. Those are the things that just give you momentum to keep going.”Martinez has also felt immense support from the Navajo Nation during this homecoming. He recently guided Vice President Myron Lizer on a tour of the transformed Phoenix Suns Arena and, with a secret phone call, fired up all the LED boards. 

“They’re like, ‘Oh, that’s awesome! You just made that happen!’” Martinez recalled. 

Up next: Creating a playoff atmosphere. Martinez can’t wait for a new video open and soundtrack for starting-lineup introductions. He is excited to invite local music artists to perform at halftime.

Anything that will set the mood of the room — and help the Suns win in the postseason.

“I’m so grateful and blessed to be home, and I’m glad to be a part of the Suns organization,” Martinez said. “Because it’s in my heart. It’s in my blood. It’s home.”  

STEVE ZABILSKI, ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Steve Zabilski stopped by a donor’s home for dinner a couple weeks ago, anticipating a night of business discussions relating to his job as chief executive officer at St. Vincent De Paul.

The donors asked if he minded if they all watched the second half of the Suns’ dramatic overtime win at Cleveland. Zabilski has never been so delighted to multitask.

Zabilski’s relationship with the Suns dates back more than 24 years. Then-coach Danny Ainge called Zabilski shortly after he joined the nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the underpivileged, asking if players could volunteer as a team-building exercise. Over the years, members of the Suns who have served range from Cotton Fitzsimmons and Jeff Hornacek, to Al McCoy and Jason Rowley, to Robert and Penny Sarver.

One of Zabilski’s treasured items in his office is a photo from Thanksgiving 2015, when he and son Matthew stopped by St. Vincent De Paul after dinner and found then-rookie Devin Booker quietly serving in the dining room.

“It reminds me that, yes, basketball is important. It’s darn important. But being a good person is important, too,” Zabilski said. “And when I look at the Suns organization, I see both. … I see goodness and kindness and a genuine caring about the community.“I just say, ‘Boy, if we had more organizations like the Suns, our community would be a better place. Our world would be a better place.’”Zabilski’s excitement for the 2020-21 season built after the Suns’ 8-0 finish in the Orlando Bubble, then skyrocketed when Phoenix traded for Chris Paul. Not just because Zabilski knew Paul was a future Hall of Fame point guard, but because he remembered when Paul spoke to a men’s Bible study group at St. Vincent De Paul while in town as a visiting player.  

Yet this level of success has been a pleasant surprise. Zabilski remembers checking the standings early in the season, and taking a screen shot of the Suns in first place because he did not anticipate that holding for much longer. Lo and behold, Phoenix was back at the top in early May before finishing second in a highly competitive Western Conference. 

Because of his close-contact work with the homeless community, Zabilski has chosen not to attend games in person this season. But he can’t wait to return to Phoenix Suns Arena next season, and won’t miss Game 1 against the Lakers on TV “for anything.” 

“It brings life to the community and energy,” Zabilski said. “… The Suns organization is a great blessing to this community, and to see them winning like this and playing like this, wow, it’s a special moment.” 

ADAM AND CARLY KORMAN, FATHER-DAUGHTER FAN DUO

While Adam Korman watched a Suns-Lakers game on television, 12-year-old daughter Carly unexpectedly joined him on the couch.

She had never expressed much interest in basketball or sports. But she was immediately swooped up by the constant action of the Suns’ win, and asked when they played next.

Since then, the father-daughter duo has watched every game from their “assigned seats” on the couch. They have memorized the roster, including player nicknames. They have bonded over this team and this season during a time when we have all been staying home to protect ourselves and our community.

“It’s hard to put into words what that means to me,” Adam said. “It’s not, like, a huge thing to maybe everybody else. But the fact that she has that interest with me and we get to do it together, it means a lot to me.”Adam, who teaches graphic design and advises the yearbook and newspaper staffs at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, grew up in Chicago but has lived in Phoenix since 1994. He shifted to supporting the Suns during the Seven Seconds or Less era.

But Carly is an example of how this team has recaptured the imagination of young fans. She follows all the players through their Instagram stories. Her favorite is big man Deandre Ayton, while Dad loves watching do-it-all-wing Mikal Bridges.

They celebrated Adam’s birthday at Phoenix Suns Arena, soaking in the Suns’ April 30 blowout win over the Jazz.   

Carly, who had never attended a Suns game in person, was giddy when she walked in and saw Tom Chambers sitting at the Bally Sports Arizona desk on the pavilion. When the Suns ran out of the tunnel for pregame warm-ups, she started crying tears of joy. She loved being able to take in the whole environment, including bench interactions.

“It was just a whole different experience being there than watching from our couch in our living room,” she said. “It was so much fun. I loved it a lot.” Adam and Carly are filled with a combination of nerves and excitement when thinking about the playoffs. They want to have realistic expectations and savor the moment.

They also don’t want this ride to end. Not just because they love watching the Suns, but because of how the Suns have brought them closer.

“That’s our thing together,” Carly said.

CHRISTIAN SANFT, DIRECTOR OF BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB VIRGINIA G. PIPER BRANCH

Whenever Christian Sanft walks into his office at the Virginia G. Piper Branch of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, he sees a signed placard that Kevin Johnson gave to him on a visit to his elementary school.

What’s new is how the kids are reacting around the club. More and more are showing up in Suns shirts, hats and backpacks, Sanft said. They’re marveling more at the Devin Booker jersey in their trophy case, and talking more about players up and down the roster. 

This season has doubled as a neat full-circle experience for Sanft, a lifelong fan now seeing this generation of kids getting hooked on the Suns.

“It’s just been so much fun to have the city start to feel that way again,” Sanft said. “Because there isn’t really another team in the Valley that is so connected to the DNA of the Phoenix area.”

The Boys and Girls Club and Suns have been intertwined for decades. 

There’s a Jerry Colangelo branch in metro Phoenix. Jeff Hornacek once filmed an (unreleased) instructional video at the Piper branch with athletic director Jeff Berman, who has been with the organization since the 1960s. Their court was refurbished through the Suns’ 50 Seasons 50 Courts project in 2017. Though the Jr. Suns program, Boys and Girls Club kids play their championship games at Phoenix Suns Arena, where they are announced over the PA system like NBA stars.

“That’s something that we’re very proud of, and something that we talk to the kids about,” Sanft said of the Club’s relationship with the Suns.

Sanft’s early Suns memories include going to NBA Jam tour at then-America West Arena, watching the NBA on NBC and learning of the Hornacek trade that brought Barkley to the Valley. He has remained loyal through all eras.

These days, Sanft engages in “astounding levels of trash talk” with his cousins who live in Utah and are also enjoying a terrific Jazz season. An early season Suns win in Salt Lake City, along with victories against the Bucks and Sixers, gave him confidence that Phoenix could compete with any team in the league.But he welcomes the outside doubters who subscribe to the narratives that Chris Paul can’t win the playoffs, Devin Booker is a stats-only player and Cam Johnson was a reach in the draft. Even before Wednesday’s play-in game, Sanft proclaimed, “Ideally, I want the Lakers, and I want us to beat the Lakers.”

“Everybody wants to see us play, but nobody expects us to win,” Sanft said. “That’s unique, and that’s gonna be just so great when we come through and just lay a beatdown on somebody. That’s just gonna be so satisfying.”Sanft expects this weekend to be “totally bananas” while his family group text blows up. He also cannot wait to continue sharing his enthusiasm with the kids at the club.Someday, he hopes they talk about this year’s team in the same way he reminisces about when he got hooked on the Suns. 

“To be able to see that happen for kids the same way it happened for me is really cool and exciting,” Sanft said. “When they’re old guys, they’ll be talking about, ‘Do you remember when Chris Paul played for the Suns?’ in the same way I talk about when Jeff Hornacek was traded.” 

The game was tied with 11 seconds left on the clock.

Charles Barkley took the inbound and was quickly guarded by the 1991-92 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, David Robinson. Barkley spun the ball in his hands, patiently watching the clock roll down. With just over five seconds remaining, the 1992-93 MVP attacked.

Faking going inside, Barkley created just enough separation as he pulled up above the free throw line and let it fly over the outstretched arm of Robinson. Swish. Game. Series. The Suns defeated the San Antonio Spurs in six games during the 1993 Western Conference Semifinals.

As long-time Suns reporter Kevin McCabe stood outside the locker room for his live shot, the gleeful team traveled toward him. Barkley and the rest of the squad decided to have some fun with the sportscaster that they had grown close to, grabbing his nose, messing up his hair and giving him some friendly shoves in celebration.

“There was giddiness,” McCabe recalled. “We were all the same age, but it was just one of those kinds of experiences where you felt like you were inside the team. … It was golden. It is a lifetime of memories.” 

McCabe began covering the Suns in 1984, but his career change to Channel 10 in 1990 assisted in developing these close ties with the players. In a time without social media and with very limited internet, it became critical for reporters to establish trust with the players in order to share their stories and help build their brands.

“It was a whole different era,” said McCabe, who is now the Associate Vice President for Corporate Relations and Events at HonorHealth Foundation. “That's one of the things I'm most proud of is I gained their trust and the respect as a journalist that they allowed me to do those kinds of things.”

The player he grew the closest with was none other than Sir Charles himself. Barkley was able to show a little glimpse of what he does now at the desk on NBA on TNT, joining McCabe on local broadcast shows to breakdown highlights and, of course, share a laugh or two.

Barkley’s first appearance ended up being more nerve-racking for McCabe than Barkley. The team was in Portland and McCabe had asked Barkley if he wanted to come on the 9 p.m. Sunday night show that they would be recording at the hotel. Barkley agreed, but at 9:01 was nowhere to be found.

“Bum, bum. It’s Sports Night with Kevin McCabe live from…” 

“All of a sudden the doors to the hotel open up,” McCabe said. “In comes Charles. He climbs over the couch and sits down and puts on the microphone. He goes, 'What's up little man?' Then he proceeds to do an hour of standup.”

As their relationship grew, so did the excitement around the city. The Suns finished the regular season with best record in the NBA on the way to their second Finals appearance in franchise history.

“I don't think people fully realize what this city was like in those days,” McCabe said. “Buses were painted up, houses were painted up, flags on every car. You walk into stores and everybody had something Suns on. It was a glorious time.”

And as a “kid from Phoenix,” McCabe is excited to once again see the resurgence of the Suns as they gear-up to take the court for postseason basketball on Sunday.

“I'm really happy and I'm really proud,” McCabe said. “You've got to embrace it and go for it when you can. … I'm really excited for the organization.”

Surrounded by Oklahoma City Thunder defenders in the paint, Dario Šarić fed the ball back out to Devin Booker at the top of the key. 

After a couple flinches and crossovers, Booker put his head down and accelerated full speed through the paint. The two-time All-Star rose up over two Thunder players and threw down a rim-shattering, one-handed slam to extend the Suns’ lead to 35-9 in the first quarter on April 2.

Milliseconds before the ball went through the rim, a flash of white light shot through Phoenix Suns Arena, as long-time Suns photographer Barry Gossage’s strobe provided added theatrics to the dramatic finish.

“He doesn't dunk that often, but he's been more aggressive this year,” Gossage said. “He had taken it upon himself to get to the basket more that game. He had it at the top of the key and he started dribbling. I knew he was going to dunk. I just saw it in his face, the way he was going at the basket. He wasn't going to try to lay it up. That was probably my favorite (photo) for this year.”

Gossage has had a front-row seat as the team photographer since 1997, capturing the thrill, the emotion and the historic imagery over the past two decades. From Jason Kidd to Steve Nash to Goran Dragić to Chris Paul, Gossage has witnessed the glorious highs and the defeating lows as closely as anybody not on the Suns’ bench.

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RALLY THE VALLEY

The Phoenix Suns today acquired forward Torrey Craig from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for cash considerations. 

Craig (6-7, 221 pounds) is in his fourth NBA season, having played his first three with the Denver Nuggets before joining the Bucks prior to the start of the season. Gaining significant postseason experience with Denver, he appeared in all 33 of the Nuggets’ playoff games over the past two seasons, averaging 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 21.4 minutes and making 14 starts. He holds career averages of 5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 17.9 minutes 190 regular season games (69 starts).  

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Craig played collegiately at USC Upstate before going undrafted in 2014. He began his professional career with three seasons in New Zealand and Australia, earning recognition as the NBL’s Best Defensive Player while playing for the Brisbane Bullets in 2016-17.

Craig will wear uniform No. 12. The Suns’ roster now stands at 16 players.

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SUNS ACQUIRE TORREY CRAIG FROM MILWAUKEE

After leading the team in scoring during a 12-3 month, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been named the Western Conference Player of the Month for February 2021, the NBA announced today. 

No Western Conference player averaged more points while shooting as high a field goal percentage during February as Booker scored 27.9 points per game on 52.3% from the field, 39.5% from three-point range and 85.2% from the line. Booker bookended the month with two memorable performances, hitting a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds on Feb. 1 at Dallas then scoring a season-high 43 points on Feb. 28 at Minnesota. The Suns won 12 games last month, their most wins ever in the month of February and most wins in any month since March 2010. 

Booker, who will play in his second straight NBA All-Star Game this Sunday, becomes the first Suns player to win Player of the Month honors since Amar’e Stoudemire in March 2010. Booker’s is the 14th Player of the Month selection in franchise history. He was named Western Conference Player of the Week twice during the month (Feb. 8-14, Feb. 22-28) to become the first Suns player to win Player of the Week honors twice in a three-week span since Steve Nash won in consecutive weeks in January 2007.

Booker and Suns guard Chris Paul have both been selected as 2021 NBA All-Stars and will play in the 70th NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta on Sunday, March 7 at 6 p.m. MT on TNT. The Suns have two games before the break, playing at the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 8 p.m. MT then hosting the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at 8 p.m. MT. Both games will air on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station while Tuesday’s game will be televised on TNT and Thursday’s game on FOX Sports Arizona.

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devin-booker-named-western-conference-player-of-the-month-for-february

DEVIN BOOKER NAMED WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY

Hailing from Rochester, New York, Chef Michael Dei Maggi has shaped a worldly culinary voice, traveling the globe throughout his 20-year career. Since graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, he’s contributed to the culinary scene in New York, California, Texas, and Arizona. 

His latest chapter involves being an integral part of the Project 201 transformation of Talking Stick Resort Arena, where Chef Michael is leading the elevation of the arena’s entire food and guest experience as Levy’s Executive Chef. His detailed, yet classic culinary approach will elevate the experience in the new courtside clubs, private suites, and across concourse concessions. Guests can expect to be wowed with rotating menus influenced by fresh seasonal ingredients, and imaginative dining experiences that complement the fast-paced action on the court.  

Assisting Chef Michael will be the addition of a brand new two-story commissary and main culinary kitchen that will be completed this summer. Throughout an NBA season, this kitchen will take-in and process 84,000 pounds of locally sourced produce provided by local and specialty purveyors, and 110,000 pounds farm-raised and premium proteins. Special care of these ingredients are provided in multiple temperature controlled rooms and refrigerators large enough to drive a car into. The commissary will also harness a CO2-farm to help push the 3,500 kegs of local craft and premium beer served annually to almost any location in the arena. A popcorn facility will be able to produce the 16,000 pounds of fresh popcorn at 355 degrees so quickly you will find nothing fresher anywhere. Once brought into the facility, battery operated carts move these precious ingredients to where the chef’s need them on the second level’s nearly 7,000 square foot state-of-the-art kitchen.

Needless to say, Chef Michael is excited to elevate the arena’s offerings to new heights. 

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN THIS JOURNEY AT TALKING STICK RESORT ARENA?

Chef: "The 17th or 18th of January. I came on board and slowly started getting my feet wet. The OKC Thunder was my first menu that we executed. There are so many moving parts and it's slightly different from some things that I've done in the past, very similar to others. One of the big things is to really try to understand the scope of the full operation before making any significant changes. A lot like the team is rebuilding, we're kind of in that phase as well. So, I'll evaluate and identify the talent that we've got on our roster currently, work with them and cultivate them through the end of the season. Close as strongly as possible without creating too many ripples and that open with a bang next year. I can’t wait until we reopen the arena – this place is going to be spectacular."

WHETHER A GAME, CONCERT OR EVENT, DO YOU SEE THE MENU ADJUSTING TO OCCASION?

Chef: "100 percent. I think there has to be an overarching theme of everything that we're trying to accomplish and then I think you'd kind of silo the different things under that. Whatever it is that we're trying to accomplish, whether it's chef-driven farm to fork and culinarily focused with authenticity, that'll play into a lot of that menu generation. Then we'll just kind of tier that out depending on how the event itself flows. But it'll be custom. We're building catering packages, but one of the things that we prefer to do would be to work with the clients on a one-on-one basis in order to create custom catering packages. That gives us a lot more flexibility to execute throughout the year for sure."

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIALITY WHEN IT COMES TO CUISINE?

Chef: "I've done everything. I'm classically trained in European cookery. I spent several years in France and then came back and worked in New York City and in Napa. I've done east coast, super fine dining and French influence. I've done Michelin Star French. Then in Napa Valley, it was local-centric California cuisine. For the last three years, I headed up the R&amp;D team for PF Chang's. It was focusing only on pan-Asian and in that world my specialty is more in Southeast Asian and Korean. Food excites me in any capacity."

Chef: "I'm getting super into it for sure. I went to a boarding school in central Texas. When I was in seventh grade and I played rugby, football and soccer. I did one year of basketball and the coach put his arm around my shoulder and he said, 'I don't think this is your sport.' Which is funny because they're somebody that's supposed to be a guiding hand. My sport is cooking. It's a high-level competitive sport as well. There's a lot of correlations there."

OUTSIDE OF COOKING, WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER HOBBIES?

Chef: "Cooking. I mean, I cook for fun too. My life is food. I collect records. I probably have about 5,000, maybe more. My grandfather left me his record collection when he passed and that was kind of our thing. We always listened to records. So, I got his original pressings going back to when music started. I have a room that's basically all records and then in our living room I have a beautiful antique that houses about 500 very unique, one of a kind records. They’re kind of stashed around the house in any place my wife would let me.

WITH YOUR RECORD COLLECTION, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC?

Chef: "It varies. I grew up in Texas for the most part. I like old outlaw country music. I like hip hop quite a lot. Punk rock and heavy metal. My, my collection spans everything from Dwight Yoakam to Bad Religion to Wu Tang to super obscure jazz, soul and R&amp;B music. I am just a fan. I devour everything I can get. So, just like with food, same with music, it helps us to understand people.”

IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME LIVING IN THE VALLEY?

Chef: "No. I actually met my wife here. I came out here years ago. I was the chef at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and I came out here to open a sustainable seafood restaurant. I ended up chefing at a couple of places around the Valley, just kind of trying to figure out what we're going to do. Then went back to the Bay area. Then, I came back here for PF Chang's. We're headquartered here. My parents are in Prescott and my wife's family, her mother and sister, are here from New York. So, it made a lot of sense. Staying in The Valley was really important to us. We were looking at what the next move for us was and to be able to do something like this that is so community oriented, it was really exciting.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE CUISINE SPOTS LOCALLY?

Chef: “I generally tend to gravitate towards hole in the walls. So, 14th and Roosevelt, there's a place called Rito's Mexican Food that doesn't have a sign, but they do have a James Beard Award. It is a no seats, you can only seat outside. They basically only do red chili burritos and green chili burritos. But it's more than that. They're unbelievable. It's one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. So, usually when I have like super high-end chefs or anybody that's coming into town, that's usually the first stop that I take them. We all tend to eat that way. We do go to fine dining, but for me, Rito's Mexican Food, Tacos Chiwas on McDowell and the 51, and a little place called Pho Winglee on Dobson and Main are three of the best.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LEAD THE ELEVATION OF THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE AS PART OF THIS TRANSFORMATION?

Chef: “I think that this is the coolest job for a chef in the state, if not in the region. We have to start from the top down with a complete holistic change of how we do things. First off, everybody that comes into that kitchen needs to not only know how important the job we are doing is, but they need to know how important their role in that mission. What I'm trying to do now is shift the culture a little bit. I don't really think a culture document is something that's a poster on the wall. A culture document is what's the real living and breathing culture in your organization. Fostering that loving environment where they feel supported, where they understand their role, they understand how important what we do is and how fun it is. Don't forget to look at the smiles on those faces. Don't forget to interact with our guests. Please understand that your job is to make experiences, not just to make food. The food is secondary. The food is the easy part. I'm a lead from the trenches kind of guy. We want to set excellence as our goal. That's excellence in everything we do. That's excellence in our uniforms. That's excellence in our interactions with our coworkers and with other people in the building.”

Chef: "For me it is a community piece. We live in Ahwatukee, which is a small, very tight knit community. We're very involved in our local community. So, building that circle out, where we're all just members of this community. The goal is that we can start breaking down some of those silos that people have. Regardless of your political affiliation or the color of your skin or your sexual proclivities or any of that stuff, we can all just come together and have a blast. Watch the Suns and Mercury win some basketball games and have some good food.”

JOIN THE TRANSFORMATION: Suns.com/Project201 

Since it first rose from the desert floor in 1992, few structures have meant more to a city than the arena at 201 E. Jefferson Street in Phoenix. Today's Talking Stick Resort Arena has been the hub for world class sports and entertainment for 27 years. The once state-of-the-art venue helped drive the growth of downtown Phoenix to become the thriving metropolitan destination that it is today, but it's time for a reimagination.

A $230 million transformation is underway at Talking Stick Resort Arena, the first Phoenix venue to go through a significant redesign in more than 10 years, that will reinforce its place as Arizona's premier sports and entertainment destination. Updates to the building's infrastructure (mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural) are a significant aspect of the redesign, but the majority of the work will exponentially improve the overall fan experience – from the local food offerings, to expanded concourses that will increase flow and communal areas for shared experiences, significant improvements in lighting, audio and video resolution, and technology that makes the fan journey smooth and seamless.

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Q&A with Executive Chef Michael Dei Maggi

The Phoenix Suns will finish their virtual road trip as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers as the squad heads into the final stretch of their 2019-20 schedule with a Monday matchup on NBA 2K20, streamed live on Twitch.

The Suns will continue to give fans a virtual fix as the first NBA team to continue the 2019-20 season on NBA 2K20.  During this unprecedented time, the Suns social media team developed an innovative opportunity to leverage their platforms to bring the basketball community together and drive a positive conversation in the social space. The Suns are continuing to explore additional opportunities to create compelling digital content and identify new ways for Suns fans to engage with their favorite team over the coming weeks.

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Suns Closeout Road Trip Today at Cleveland with Assist from ESport Personality

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