Family first.
That’s how Phoenix Suns goaltender Landry Shamet is living his life right now after finding closure on one side and opening the door to a whole new world by finally meeting his father, Ron Davis.
“I first met my dad last year, last fall,” Shamet said during Monday’s media day. “And with that, I played big brother with three younger siblings. I hadn’t met any. They didn’t know about me. I’ve known them since I was 16.
Shamet’s mother, Melanie, told him about his father when he was a teenager.
Almost 10 years later he contacted Davis, who played overseas for 15 years.
“Being the only child of a single mom my whole life is life changing,” Shamet continued. “Going into that, putting myself in that position, I think I underestimated everything that would come with it. The things that would happen internally with me. So honestly, mostly last year , my mind going into the games it wasn’t all about the basketball I feel like I’m in a place where it can be because all summer I was with my family all summer.
Now at peace with that and more, Shamet enters his second season in Phoenix with a clear mind and focus on playing at a high level.
“I’ll be the first to tell you, the year I had last year is not the best product I want to put on the floor,” Shamet said. “I know that. I know what I’m capable of. I believe in what I’m capable of.”
Shamet admitted he had no plans to discuss it on media day, but felt the need to open up about what is now a very important aspect of his life.
“It’s my life, my truth, who I am,” Shamet said. ” And I’m proud of it. Proud of it all. Proud of how it all turned out.
Shamet spoke with an edge and focus that confirms he’s put the past behind him and is focused only on what’s really important – family and basketball.
“You’re in the limelight and there are times when you can get carried away and get carried away and care too much about those limelight and what people think, say, whatever,” he said. he declared. “In reality, it really is as simple as you make it. Honestly, it’s just basketball, it’s my family, it’s my siblings and it’s my life right now and it feels really good.
Shamet said he spent that summer getting to know his siblings, who in turn gave him a different support system than he had ever experienced before.
“I love them to death,” he said. “It’s been the coolest situation for me. It gives me a purpose. I don’t care what anyone says about me because I have them. It’s really cool. To have kind of sorted that out, it feels part of my life now. There aren’t many unknowns out there anymore.
Shamet felt he had the weight of the world on his back with this situation.
Freed from this mental and emotional desire for answers, Shamet is free to thrive as a player, the son of his father who dreamed of playing in the NBA, and big brother to a new group of siblings.
“Crazy,” said Shamet. “It’s crazy.”
“I’m in the right place”
Shamet certainly sounds like he’s in a better place after having a bad year.
In his first season at Phoenix, the 25-year-old Shamet averaged career lows in points (8.3 per game), field goal percentage (39.4%) and 3-point percentage (36.8%).
Shamet then found himself out of rotation during the playoffs as he scored a total of 52 points in 12 playoff games.
Certainly not the best of Shamet.
“I know it,” continued Shamet, who had a bout with COVID-19 and suffered foot and ankle injuries last season. “I know what I am capable of. I believe in what I am capable of. »
He has drawn heavy criticism and seen his name strewn about in trade talks this offseason. Shamet acknowledges he underperformed, admits he got distracted and took time off in the offseason to sort everything out.
“Last year I had 100,000 things to do and I could kind of handle that as a man this summer and even the pitches for myself,” Shamet said.
“I just feel like I’m in the right place. I saw a lot of what people were saying about me last year and I respect that. I agree with that. I am my biggest critic before anyone else. I know it’s not Landry. It’s not the best version of me and I know what it can be and what it looks like. I’m just ready to go.
A candid Shamet said he “put a lot of stuff to bed this summer that I needed” which will hopefully lead to him playing to his ability this season.
“A lot of things personally in my life, I’m in a good place,” Shamet said. “I feel what’s going to happen in the second year with the team. I’ve been part of several teams and to be able to come back to the same organization and the same group, I’m really excited about it. I feel really good on this subject.
This will be the first time that Shamet has started two consecutive seasons with the same team.
The 6-4 guard started his career in Philadelphia, but was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in his freshman year. He played his entire second season with the Clippers, but was dealt to Brooklyn before his third season.
Then Phoenix traded Jevon Carter and a first-round pick to the Nets for Shamet on draft night in 2021.
The Suns signed Shamet to a four-year extension for $43 million. The contract brought a sense of stability and comfort, but Shamet never found his game consistently last season.
When he did, Phoenix won at a high rate.
The Suns went 19-4 in the regular season with Shamet scoring at least 10 points.
So while Shamet can play that one, the Suns can use his score to help relieve pressure on their All-Star backcourt from Devin Booker and Chris Paul to get buckets.
“We put a lot of emphasis on Chris and Book to make a lot of plays down the stretch,” Shamet said. “It’s time for teams to take some of those options away. So step in and be able to make the right play. Make the dribble play for others. Get the guys involved, score, pass.
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.
Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.