 when we come back from your Phoenix Suns, Royce O'Neill joins the show right back returns. That's right. Seventh season in the leagues played for the Nets Jazz and now of course the Suns where he landed right at the deadline. Perfect timing Royce O'Neill. Thanks for joining us. It looks lovely and the sun on your face. What a day for you to start out. All right. We got to talk a little bit about last night Rockets big win for you guys. You played 37 minutes. I was going to ask you if you're tired, but then we just talked about Josh Hart playing 47 minutes and 10 seconds. Have you ever heard of such craziness, sir? Are you tired? I have never. I'm not tired. I mean, I think he definitely is tired, but that's impressive by him. I mean, just trying to play every minute of the game. Every minute so far. Let me ask you, are you, I mean, we're happy that you landed in Phoenix as a team. Everyone's keeping their eye on. Are you pleased with your role so far there? Yeah, definitely. I mean, you know, these guys welcome me since day one. I just allow me to be myself. I mean, whether I mean, bringing that defensive intensity, playmaking, you know, just doing whatever I do for us to win the games. Royce, even last night, just stuffing the stat sheet 11, 7, 6 and 3 for you just across the board. Obviously a different role now in Phoenix, really in a lot of ways, like you were last year in Brooklyn, just playing on a contending type of team. But what were your emotions when you get traded from a team that's out of the playing right now in Brooklyn to a team that's trying to compete for a title in Phoenix? Yeah, I mean, you know, it's my first time like being traded midseason. It's definitely a whirlwind. But I mean, my time in Brooklyn was great. I mean, you know, from the moment I got there to, you know, trade that line and guys showed me a lot of respect and, you know, allowed me to be myself, come in, play a different role then, you know, come into Phoenix, you know, expand in my role, allowing me to be myself and then, you know, come and compete every day. Did you, we were always kind of figuring out how guys find out they're traded. It's fascinating to those of us who are just mere mortals, but how did you find out you were traded? Yeah, I mean, I was actually playing Call of Duty, you know, and then like, you know, I wasn't trying to keep up with like all the rumors and stuff that was going around. And, you know, my friends kept calling me. And then my agent called me, like, right, right as it happened. I'm in the middle of a game. And then I just like, kind of like through the controller down and, you know, tell my friends I got to go. So, I mean, it happened real fast. And, you know, I was excited just for another opportunity to keep playing. I just love the visual that you're like, why is everyone bothering me in the middle of a game? That's kind of amazing. Maybe you can explain this thing that Sun's fans do, because I don't get it. So, when a player heads to Phoenix, they do this thing where they go and see if that player has ever tweeted about Hooters, the restaurant. They did it with Devin Booker, who had tweeted about Hooters back in 2012. They did it with you. And sure enough, you hadn't done it before as well. What is this tradition? I have no idea. Like, when I got traded, I was like, yo, why is, why is like I'm trending for Hooters? And then I see, I see, you know, me, Buck, you know, Katie and Brad all literally tweeted something about Hooters. And I was just like, oh, okay. That's the weirdest tradition I've ever heard. Call me crazy. Call me crazy. I think they're fantastic chicken wings. I go there for only the chicken wings and the chicken wings. Obviously. Right. I haven't been in years. Royce, obviously coming from Brooklyn to Phoenix now, what's been the biggest difference in the two organizations, you know, from the Nets to the Suns? I mean, I've only been here for like two, two weeks. Plus, I mean, both organizations are great. I mean, you know, just the, just the way, you know, they, you know, handle themselves. I mean, Brooklyn was a great time, you know, meeting those guys, they didn't spend a time with getting to know, being around them. These guys had a lot of value in me, you know, being one of the leaders on this team, on the team. And, you know, being in Phoenix, kind of the same way. I mean, these guys, you know, want to be here, you know, trying to just be myself, allow me to be myself, each and every day, you know, come in and be the player and person that I am. Yeah. And then obviously a few days after you get traded, the Nets fire, Jack Vaughn, is that something that you saw coming or was that a complete surprise to you? I definitely could complete surprise. I didn't even know that I was coming. I was surprised. I thought, you know, my friends are just playing around. They was like, you know, Jack Vaughn got fired or they're not. And I was like, oh, wow. Crazy. Cole Barrow. Royce, this is, this is now the second time you're playing with KD, Kevin Durant. Obviously, you guys had some success last year before the trades. And now it seems like it's going well here. Do you feel like you've developed that encore chemistry with him? Like it seems pretty natural, but how do you feel? And is he a different player now you're seeing him a year later than you saw him in Brooklyn as a different leader? How is he carrying himself compared to what he was? Yeah, I mean, I feel like, you know, both times in Brooklyn and Phoenix, I mean, you know, just to, you know, on the core chemistry that you develop in an off the court, I mean, that was top 75 and, you know, one of the best to play the game, you know, have your bet, you know, one play with you means a lot. And, you know, just competing with him every day. I mean, now it's just like, I mean, I feel like he's a little more calm and relaxed, but I mean, he's still being a leader every day, you know, showing up competing, you know, in games, telling us, you know, keeping us accountable and, you know, him just being accountable and being able to talk to him again. So that's, I'm glad you mentioned that that he's still out there being a leader because Charles Barkley, I don't know what the deal is, but, you know, did the thing again where he's talking about KD and that he's not a leader, which seems like very strong words to say. You just said he is. So what, maybe clear it up for those of us who don't understand it. What kind of leader is he? I mean, he's a vocal one. I mean, you know, during the games, you know, he's getting on guys, you know, telling us, you know, what he sees and, you know, now let's just be ourselves. I mean, and then every day showing up, working hard, you know, setting the standard, you know, for us to uphold and, you know, just being able to communicate with everybody, being around everybody. I think, you know, he's keeping us in direction. You know, he wants to win every day. I like that. I like that. A couple of years ago, when you were with the Jazz and playing the Nets, KD did the, his little too small. And then now you guys obviously are good friends. Does that come up? Do you bring it up when you guys see each other first time after all this? Do you joke about it? How is this handled? No, I mean, I should bring it up next time in practice. You know, I've been giving my blood and I've been doing it to him. But now I think that's just, that's just the competitiveness in us and, you know, taking the challenge. Yeah, you're your first 20 and 10 game on Sunday. Obviously had to feel great in front of your new home crowd. What was that like? It was amazing. I mean, these fans, you know, welcomed me since day one. And then, you know, first 20 and 10 games, especially me, ABC, I mean, Mr. Lagers, and then I got my first start. So I guess it was like the perfect moment that, you know, couldn't, that you can only imagine when it happened. So we won the game. That's all that matter. By the way, I don't know if you saw this, but after the game, they actually took away one of your rebounds. So is there anything you want to say to the official stock keeper? No, no, no, they got to get that back. I need, I need that. I need that. I need that. It's rude. So rude. This footage, I'm just happy we get to play this right now. So you're running a basketball camp a few years ago. You go one on one against your mom. Sir, I need you to defend yourself right here. What are you doing? Oh, man. So, you know, you know, during the camp, you know, my mom, she always tried to challenge me. You know, she might check up. When I was little, she used to, you know, lock me up. But then I told her, I was like, yo, I mean, now, you know, I got more moves and stuff. So she was like, I can't post her up. So, you know, she's bumping me. And I'm like, yo, like, I got to go somewhere. And so when I spent and I see she's falling, I'm like, wow. Do I help her? Or do I shoot it and make the basket? Look, look. And I was like, let me make the basket first and I'll help her. Wow. You made a decision, Royce. But if you ask her, she would tell you herself that she wanted me to make the basket and then help her up. But it went viral everywhere. Yeah. It went viral everywhere. And that's all she really wanted. She was like, hey, I can't post it unless it goes viral. So I was like, well, they did. So this was, this was like a reverse pool chair that you did on Dylan Brooks last night. So she went this way. Oh, right. Royce, you hadn't been to Sons for, you know, for more than a week. And I got asked that the Isaiah Stewart drew you banks. What the hell, what was that? Like, what was that about? How did the team react to that? Because there was nothing real, no fireworks after anything, right? Yeah, I mean, it was, I mean, I was surprised and shocked that happened. I mean, you know, as we're supposed to be brotherhood and stuff like that happens. But you just like wonder why. And then I mean, we ended up winning the game. So, you know, that's, you got your respect. And you know, that's all that matters. Stuff like that definitely shouldn't happen. Royce, so you go for playing the Eastern Conference. Now you're in the West. The West is absolutely stacked. I know you know, just looking at the standings every night, you're playing as a top team in the West. Like, is it exciting for you now knowing you're under that spotlight every day in the Western Conference and every game has such great meaning for you guys? Yeah, for sure. I mean, especially, you know, if you look at the standings right now, but one game, like 1-2 or 2-8, so like every game really matters. But, you know, just, you know, especially being here in the spotlight with these three guys, Book, Katie and Brad, you know, always, you know, games as, you know, teams and some pump force always, you know, being in the spotlight. So, I mean, we don't get teams best shots. And, you know, we got to play our best basketball to win these games. It's just fun every night just to compete, you know, play against the West knowing every game matters, especially from here on out. It's going to be a hell of a final stretch going on here. Before you got to the league, you played overseas a bit, a little bit in Germany, a little bit in Spain. Biggest difference between playing over there versus here? Is there something that would surprise us? I would say a couple of the rules. I mean, it's not like defensive three seconds over here. It's more like a team concept. I mean, you find ways to move without the ball, play without the ball. You know, it's definitely a team oriented, you know, over there. Every game really matters. I mean, they didn't, the fans are just crazy. I mean, they love basketball. And so, top to the bottom, top to the bottom, leagues are good. Is there a, is there a rule that you would wouldn't mind the NBA bringing over here? I always wondered about the, when the balls, I bouncing on the rim trying to hit it off. I mean, I feel like that would be a little, that'll be a rule to try. Me and Kevin helped to manage, especially like late game situations and stuff like that. I like this. I like the new rules idea. Like, let's just bring new stuff over. This has been a pleasure, Royce. Best of luck. The rest of the way, it's going to be a great stretch, great playoff run. We wish you luck. Thanks for the time and we'll be right back.