Empire of the Suns

ArizonaSports.com's 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.

The optics don't look great around the Suns' promotion of GM Brian Gregory
May 2, 2025 – 21:13
Mat Ishbia's accountability about Suns is self-aware but still leaves questions
Apr 18, 2025 – 47:37
Reaction to the Phoenix Suns firing Mike Budenholzer with Sam Cooper from The Timeline
Apr 15, 2025 – 34:07
Kevin Durant is hurt and the Suns are tailspinning to the end
Apr 1, 2025 – 31:43
The Suns are finally playing good ball: Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro appreciation
Mar 26, 2025 – 47:09
James Jones could be the Suns' scapegoat. Or he could help them dig out of this hole
Mar 20, 2025 – 33:32
It gets noisy around the Suns, plus a Bol Bol hat-tip
Mar 3, 2025 – 22:16
Where do the Suns go from here?
Feb 21, 2025 – 23:32
Trade deadline recap w/ Sam Cooper
Feb 7, 2025 – 44:15
This is a Suns podcast but Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers
Feb 2, 2025 – 36:10
A pre-NBA deadline Q&A: Jimmy Butler and other Suns trade options
Jan 29, 2025 – 25:21
Phoenix Suns make a trade before the possible Jimmy Butler trade
Jan 24, 2025 – 27:18
Suns keep digging for answers with Nick Richards trade
Jan 17, 2025 – 30:06
Bradley Beal is benched and the smoke around Suns' Jimmy Butler trade interest is suffocating
Jan 7, 2025 – 32:30
The sample size is too large to ignore: The Suns are one of the worst teams in the NBA lately
Jan 2, 2025 – 27:35
Devin Booker gets hurt, and a loss to the Pacers is a microcosm of the Suns
Dec 20, 2024 – 24:57
Jimmy Butler is apparently interested in the Suns, just like this podcast
Dec 13, 2024 – 40:27
The Suns need a break in the worst way
Nov 21, 2024 – 27:02
We're learning about the Suns' weaknesses with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal out
Nov 14, 2024 – 30:54
Kevin Durant and the Suns' defense has them at 7-1 to start 2024-25
Nov 7, 2024 – 44:07
Suns' vibes are mostly good through 4 games
Oct 29, 2024 – 32:22
Are the Suns 2024-25 title contenders? Plus, preseason takeaways and more
Oct 19, 2024 – 46:34
Promising Suns preseason so far: Rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, 3-point volume stand out
Oct 10, 2024 – 24:31
Suns media day reaction: Everyone is vibing, especially Bradley Beal
Oct 1, 2024 – 38:25
Al McCoy was more than a legend. Plus a look ahead to Suns media day
Sep 27, 2024 – 29:08
Suns waive Nassir Little, and can Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro find rotation time?
Aug 23, 2024 – 19:11
The Tyus Jones signs with the Suns episode
Aug 1, 2024 – 37:06
Suns land Monte Morris, Mason Plumlee in free agency
Jul 3, 2024 – 25:37
Oso Ighodaro is the Suns' 2nd-round pick, Jalen Bridges signs a 2-way
Jun 28, 2024 – 51:29
Suns pick Virginia's Ryan Dunn after an NBA Draft-day trade with Nuggets
Jun 27, 2024 – 34:39
Our Phoenix Suns NBA Draft big board for the 22nd pick
Jun 20, 2024 – 01:14:11
The big 2024 NBA Draft preview: Do Suns swing big or play it safe?
Jun 11, 2024 – 56:24
Why the Suns will work out Bronny James before the draft + an NBA Finals preview
Jun 4, 2024 – 35:37
Mike Budenholzer's intro and the big 'Do the Suns need a PG?' discussion
May 20, 2024 – 59:41
Frank Vogel is fired, Suns eye Mike Budenholzer for job - May 9
May 9, 2024 – 37:31
We're still waiting on Frank Vogel's future with the Suns
May 7, 2024 – 35:28
Suns' season mercifully ends and Frank Vogel's job is on the line
Apr 29, 2024 – 35:25
The Suns look rudderless in Game 3 loss to T-Wolves
Apr 27, 2024 – 22:56
The Suns still turning the ball over as of Game 2 of the playoffs
Apr 24, 2024 – 36:16
The T-Wolves look legit in Game 1 win against the Suns
Apr 21, 2024 – 33:50
Suns get a full playoff series vs. the Wolves. How favorable is it really?
Apr 17, 2024 – 49:50
The Suns are still getting worse
Apr 12, 2024 – 19:23
How much are we buying the Suns' spurts as the regular season nears its end?
Apr 4, 2024 – 43:23
It's looking a lot like the Phoenix Suns will be a play-in team
Mar 30, 2024 – 35:11
The we-don't-think-the-Suns-are-contenders podcast
Mar 19, 2024 – 36:11
Ranking the Phoenix Suns' toughest playoff matchups
Mar 14, 2024 – 44:55
Bradley Beal gets some PG runs for the Suns
Mar 8, 2024 – 23:10
It's go-time for the Suns as Bol Bol emerges
Feb 29, 2024 – 33:08
What do the Phoenix Suns need to do to become true title contenders?
Feb 21, 2024 – 32:56
Suns get a G League team, Royce O'Neale shines, Phoenix found an ID
Feb 14, 2024 – 43:55

Recent Reviews

pauletta602

Great podcast

Great show !! Love great conversation and complete honesty and opinions. go suns !
Mr.Vankirk

Beat writers rock!

Kellan and Kevin know what is happening and they know how to talk hoop!
Mike Shumway

Great Suns Pod

Nough said.
tjatua

Snooze Fest

There’s not a lot of stimulating content that comes from this podcast. Plus, I’ve been to mortuaries with more energy than Kellan and Kevin
Bradleyx43

Rally The Valley and a Nap

Good local AZ pod about Suns basketball and the hosts constantly talking about how tired they are and need a day off.
Kc mo mo

My favorite podcast !!!!!!!!!!!!

Love this all Phoenix suns talk my favorite !
djhelbert

Great Insight for the Suffering Suns Fan

Great podcast for Suns fans. Great information and discussion. Keep up the good work guys.
finkelsteinberg

Knowledgeable

They are very knowledgeable and give great break downs on NBA draft eligible players.
blueorderScott

TJ Warren's Ankle

Great pod with knowledgeable guys. Always does their research and doesn't talk about the audience. Oh, and this show isn't a bunch of F-bombs in an echo filled kitchen without a microphone. Let's do two a week! Oh and thanks for adding the date to the pods :)
@iHateTayWest

Review

Great information. Just verrrrry monotone. Sound exciting pls lol
Charlie1234567890!!!!!

Not my favorite but not the worst

This is the most even keeled Suns podcast that I've found. This is a good balance betweeen Fanning the Flames and Empire of the Suns (both of which are great)
manilabrown

Kellan and Kevin

This last episode was very entertaining. My guys above always keep it real. Please keep it like that! I agree about needing to keep James Jones in the front office - he’s building from the ground up. He’s getting real hoopers who have respect on the team! The young guys will learn and appreciate that. We just gotta keep this group together... it’s okay to add new players/staff on this team, but we gotta respect the thought of keeping things together and not panicking. A lot of us fans are soft and don’t know nothing about sticking it out. This season needed to happen. Gotta get thru this and stay solid. Phoenix will be up again. Stay solid my friends!
Mike Li.

The first Suns podcast you should listen to

I listen to a bunch of the Suns pods, but this the only one I prioritize as soon as a new episode drops. Kellan and Kevin are insightful analysts with thoughtful comments on the state of the Suns. Also, they respect my time. I don’t need 70 minutes of takes about the Suns until they win 60 games or something. Anyway, great show and where you should start in the ever expanding world of Phoenix Suns podcasts.
Bigson

THE SKY IS FALLING

Kellan is always insufferably exasperated and a bona fide Chicken Little. SSOL and Timeline pods have more thoughtful and informed analysis.
Kevin G in Chicago

Big fan

Smart podcast, well done. Really enjoy listening to each episode.
sparkythefish

Best suns podcast out there

Have tried a few of the suns-focused pods, I think these guys are clearly the best and smartest, Kellan in particular. Always look forward to hearing their analysis
Jpeltonvegas

Great pod

Wow I watched an entire player ratings pod.
reiunit1

Best Suns Podcast Period

Informative and unique insight on prospects. They call it like they see it. No fluff. They offer a great perspective on the organization as a whole...
Jrwild78

Good clean conversation

Two guys that like talking about Suns basketball. No one trying too hard to be funny.