LAS VEGAS — The Phoenix heat was a bit too much even for Bismack Biyombo.
While in town last month, Biyombo sought to walk around the neighborhood for hot tea.
Ugh.
“I came out and said, ‘My God, what is this? “So I got there and said, ‘Sorry, I think I made a mistake. I need it iced. So they had to do it again. I will be back as soon as the weather changes a bit.
When Biyombo returns, he will join the Suns looking to do his part to help the franchise pursue a championship they failed to win in his first year with the team.
“When you work in a positive environment, there’s also motivation there,” Biyombo said. “Getting to know a bit about leadership helps a lot too. It’s an environment you want to be in. We all know this league is full of interesting people, maybe you could put it that way, but at the same time, the reality is that we competed last year to try to accomplish something that we couldn’t do last year.
The Suns re-signed Biyombo to a one-year contract on Tuesday for $2.9 million according to Spotrac.
“I liked playing with those guys,” Biyombo said later. “The energy was always there. Although the result might not be what we wanted, but you could see the guys were still hungry and wanted to win. For me, winning, at this stage of my career, means everything to me.
The Suns also signed Damion Lee and Josh Okogie, acquired Jock Landale in a trade with Atlanta for cash considerations and secured Devin Booker with a four-year, $224 million supermax extension – but still have more work to do in free agency.
Kevin Durant has asked for a Brooklyn trade to Phoenix at the top of his wish list, but the Nets want All-Star talent in return as well as a string of draft picks.
The Suns still have restricted free agent Deandre Ayton, who the Nets apparently aren’t interested in having. Ayton looked like a sign and trade going into free agency, but Durant’s trade request seems to have most of the league waiting to see the results of that before doing anything major.
Biyombo understands why there is such interest in all of this, but he is focused on his responsibilities for this season.
“My job is to play basketball and the job of the front office is to put us in an environment where we can win,” Biyombo said. “They know their job better than me and I think I know my job better than anyone. I must do my job to the best of my abilities, and everyone else must do the same.
Biyombo later said he could only control his actions, but he shared his thoughts on Durant and Ayton.
“Everyone has what is best for them and their family,” Biyombo said. “As an athlete, you are here to support them. I’m not here to push anyone. KD requested a trade. He knows exactly what is best for him and no one can tell him what is best for him. As for DA’s situation, I think the team would like DA to come back. Everyone loves DA. I don’t know this situation, but at the end of the day, I know that the front office is doing everything possible to put each person in the best environment to play basketball.
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Biyombo summed up his comments with what has always been the bottom line in the sport.
“At the end of the day, it’s about winning,” he added.
Biyombo joined the Suns on New Year’s Day on a 10-day contract after taking time to come to terms with the loss of his father, who died in August 2021 after a bout with COVID-19.
Making his mark right away, Biyombo averaged 11.1 points on 64.3 percent shooting and 8.1 rebounds in games Jan. 12 that all ended in wins at Phoenix.
The 6-foot-8, 255-pound big posted five double-doubles during that streak as the Suns were without JaVale McGee, Jae Crowder and Ayton for multiple games due to injuries and being in COVID protocols.
Biyombo then signed for the remainder of the year.
Now he looks forward to starting the 2022-23 season with the Suns.
“The whole structure was in place, and you’re kind of just picking up the rhythm of a team and trying to join the dance,” Biyombo said. “I think it’s always good to start the dance at the beginning, which is in training camp. Have a better understanding of the team.
Biyombo, 29, said “winning teams” were interested in him in the offseason and there was more money to be made elsewhere, but he wanted to continue his career in Phoenix.
“If I’m comfortable in a system, I can excel,” Biyombo said. “If the system isn’t set up comfortably for me, then it’s difficult for any athlete. I’m happy in Phoenix and I think the city, the fans have embraced me.
Biyombo finished last regular season averaging 5.8 points on 59.3 percent shooting and 4.6 rebounds in what was a historic year for Phoenix.
The Suns set a franchise record for single-season wins at 64–18, which was the best record in the league. Biyombo played just 36 regular season games but became a crowd favorite and gave the Suns the spark they needed to win Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against Dallas.
With the series tied 2-2, Suns coach Monty Williams chose Biyombo as Ayton’s main replacement. Biyombo finished with seven points and six rebounds in 21 minutes in Phoenix’s 30-point blitz.
“You don’t know how it’s going to go, but when we watched some of the matchups and the energy that Biz brings to the game,” Williams said after Game 5. “It was a tough call. I tried to play (Ayton, McGee and Biyombo) but I just felt Biz’s energy would allow us to make energy plays He didn’t wow you with his goals and stuff but his concern detail and his ability to play in multiple defensive efforts and then he can finish around the basket.
However, Biyombo and the Suns couldn’t close the deal.
The fourth-seeded Mavericks won Game 6 at home to force a Game 7 at Phoenix which they won by 33 points.
“You get one of those bad games when things don’t go your way, maybe once a year, twice a year,” Biyombo said. “Sometimes four or five times a year. I think we had one in Memphis when we lost in Memphis. We may have had another one at OKC (Oklahoma City), but we ended up winning that game.
That’s not how Phoenix’s season was supposed to end, but Biyombo said it should serve as fuel for the upcoming season.
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“You have to go back and watch this thing,” Biyombo later said. “It must be a motivation. You have to keep this feeling in your soul and mind. You have to push your limits in the summer. You need to build right now so that when he comes back at that time, you have a full tank instead of half a tank.
Biyombo’s initial response to the shocking and embarrassing ending was to watch games and practice as he was still in Phoenix at the time.
“After watching every game, I will train,” he said. “I watched games almost every day. For a week I would watch a game and then I would train. Watch a game and go train because my coach was with me.
He returned to Miami with the same mindset, but eventually took the time to decompress and allow his mind and body to heal.
Still, Game 7 remains in his system.
“This match itself should be a motivation for everyone who was part of this team, whether you are still with the team or go to another team,” Biyombo said. “That should be a source of motivation.”
Biyombo also took time off from the gym last month to visit Pope Francis.
Scheduled to travel to Biyombo’s homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan of Africa for his apostolic trip originally scheduled for July 2-7, Pope Francis had the trip postponed due to knee problems.
Biyombo therefore visited St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City where he and Pope Francis discussed the humanitarian efforts of the Bismack Biyombo Foundation. Biyombo donated his entire salary last season towards the construction of a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo in honor of his father.
“It was a unique experience,” Biyombo said. “Just in his presence and just having this conversation, I think the conversation we had was more than I expected. He had a desire to meet me and when they say the pope wants to meet you, obviously , I was very excited.
Now in Miami, Biyombo will return to Phoenix in September for the upcoming season.
Hopefully it will be a bit cooler by then.
“I can’t be in Phoenix right now, it’s too hot,” Biyombo said.
Do you have an opinion on the current state of the Suns? Contact Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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