007 | Phoenix Suns and the Spirit of Self-Sabotage

Send a textWhat do Suns owner Mat Ishbia, Elon Musk, and American Water Works have in common (besides being billionaires)? Self-sabotage.From luxury tax flameouts to the planned demolition of local landmarks, this episode tours the many ways power mismanages potential—and the regular folks who pay the price.Ryan kicks things off with an early COVID-era flashback that crashes into Jersey’s reemerging lanternfly infestation. Brandon drags us into the impending implosion of the Union Lollipop (aka “The World’s Tallest Water Sphere”)... and things only spiral from there:🧠 Why helping people in Arizona might get you robbed 🐘 Lucy the Elephant vs. Elon Musk’s federal defund energy 🚇 Necrophilia on the NYC subway (yes, really) 🏢 A $3.8B designer jail in Chinatown 🗽 Reminder: The Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey—deal with it 🎙️ Stephen A. Smith 2028 (Brandon says no. Ryan says “send it.”)And then Ryan drops a handful of monologues—including one of the rawest closers we’ve had yet.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Cold Open 01:15 – Revenge of the Lanternflies 02:25 – Farewell to the Union Lollipop 05:52 – Billionaire Breeder vs. Lucy the Elephant 10:01 – Helicopter Tragedy on the Hudson… or NYC? 12:06 – Morbidness on the Subway is a Common Motif (Viewer Discretion Advised) 16:35 – NYC’s First Designer Prison 18:28 – What About Rikers? 19:42 – Mayor Meme Mourns Many 20:35 – Minimal Grift Moment™ 21:04 – Non-Revisionist WAHIs Segment 23:30 – Triple C Gets Double-Crossed by Subtypical Phoenix Goofy 25:59 – The Phoenix Buns Postseason Begins 29:33 – How the 2021 Finals Loss Inspired a Romantic Getaway 31:06 – Chris Paul’s PR Arc 33:19 – WHO Will Be the Next Suns Head Coach? 37:46 – Pistons Getting Pissy With Knicks Fans 39:15 – Purple Politics 41:43 – Errors & Omissions 42:35 – Stephen A. Smith 2028 44:15 – Weekly Anti-Transformational Coach Pep Talk 45:28 – Viewer Comments (TW: Self-harm) 50:10 – Wrap-Up & Final WisdomsIt’s satire with scars. Absurdity with insight. From the concrete. Cactus.Twitter | Instagram | TikTok: @concacpodcastDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more enlightened takes.