PHOENIX – ESPN’s recent NBA insider predictions have made waves and brought out a lot of reactions, including an eye-opening statement from Phoenix Suns Owner Mat Ishbia. Though this isn’t the first time ESPN has misjudged the Suns with their projections.
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Dec 19, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Suns owner Mat Ishbia sits courtside against the Indiana Pacers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Suns’ Owner Mat Ishbia commented on our recent article, as he felt that the analysts over at ESPN have painted a picture about the Suns that isn’t necessarily the case:
I’m not worried about what the so-called experts think. They had us as a title contender the past two years and were wrong then. We’re focused on making our fans proud by playing great as a team and building a brand of basketball that’s tough and gritty. https://t.co/o9ysQlxW6r
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) August 27, 2025
ESPN’s history of past Phoenix Suns rankings:
This isn’t the first time ESPN has called out the Suns, or has had their projections wrong in the past. Before the 2019-2020 NBA season kicked off, their insiders predicted the Suns to finish 14th in the Western Conference with only 28 wins. They ended up beating that projection to end in the 10th spot with a 34-39 record, and were poised to build off of Devin Booker’s talent at the time.
Nov 21, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the New Orleans Pelicans at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
What Ishbia is more recently commenting on is how ESPN was predicting the Suns as a favorite to hold up the Larry O’Brien Trophy with their top-five odds (+600) at the beginning of the 2023-2024 NBA season. That is the thing about predictions: they sound convincing in the moment, though the game still has to be played. If they were wrong about the Suns back then, they can just as easily be wrong now. Tuning out the noise of what the national media is saying will be beneficial for the entire franchise, as they look towards focusing on shaping the new culture of Phoenix Suns basketball.
Dec 31, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Suns guard Devin Booker (1) catches the ball while Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) is ready to block behind him during the first quarter of the game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns fans react to Mat Ishbia’s comments about ESPN’s rankings
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
