The Valley Verdict

The Valley Verdict

The Valley Verdict delivers the final word on everything happening in the Arizona sports world. ​This is the only podcast completely devoted to passionate, full coverage of the major Phoenix market teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and ASU football and basketball. ​Hosted by David Murphey, broadcasting from the land of the Big Sky in Billings, Montana, we offer in-depth analysis, game breakdowns, and a unique perspective on the teams that matter most to the Valley of the Sun. If it’s happening in Arizona sports, we’ve got the verdict.

  1. 22H AGO

    The Corbin Carroll Crisis & The Retail Gavel: Spring Training, Suns, and Logic

    From the devastating heartbreak of a Spring Training injury to a logic-driven gavel-drop on professional etiquette, Episode 636 covers the full spectrum of the Valley. We bridge the gap between the Diamondbacks' reporting day and the Phoenix Suns' high-octane win over the Mavs, all while auditing the distinction between being a candidate and being a customer. In this episode: 00:00 - Welcome 06:56 - THE ABSOLUTE VERDICT: The Retail Logic The Interviewee vs. The Customer: I break down a personal experience at Men’s Wearhouse that challenges social "norms." We audit the logic of being productive post-interview and why an employer's inability to distinguish between a candidate and a consumer is a massive red flag. 27:15 - Diamondbacks: Spring Training & Breaking News The Reporting Day: Torey Lovullo, Mike Hazen, and the staff address the new approach for 2026. We hear from Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk on their road back from the IL. The Crisis: We react to the breaking news that Corbin Carroll suffered a "significant" injury during batting practice. We analyze what this means for the roster and Mike Hazen’s aggressive approach to the spring. 1:04:57 - ASU Basketball: Taking Care of the Pokes The Sun Devils secure an 85-76 win at home against Oklahoma State. We hear from Bobby Hurley on the team's resilience and the momentum shift needed as the schedule tightens in the Big 12. 1:19:00 - Suns: Statement Win Over the Mavs The 120-111 Victory: A high-energy breakdown of the win over Dallas. We hear from Oso and Mark Williams on the court, Jalen Green on the radio, and the locker room reaction from Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks. We analyze how the "Ott Standard" held firm against a premier Western Conference rival. Follow The Valley Verdict: Facebook: [@thevalleyverdict] Instagram: [@thevalleyverdictpodcast] YouTube: [@thevalleyverdict]

    1h 57m

  2. 2D AGO

    The Legacy Anchor & The Trust Gap: Edge, Fitz, and the Suns' Mental Hurdle

    The wait for the Gold Jacket is over, but the friction in the Valley is just beginning. From the "Trust Gap" hindering the Phoenix Suns' offense to the "Absolute Audit" of a Hall of Fame legacy that some fans are trying to rewrite, Episode 635 holds the state accountable to the data. We bridge the gap between Larry Fitzgerald’s immortality and the current mental roadblocks facing Jalen Green and the Suns. In this episode: 00:00 - Welcome 10:40 - The NFC West Hierarchy: Cards vs. Seahawks Bickley & Marotta pose the question: "The Seahawks are Super Bowl champs, but where does that leave the Arizona Cardinals?" We analyze the "Super Bowl Gap" and where the Cardinals actually sit in the division hierarchy as the Mike LaFleur era begins. 34:54 - Respect the Gold Jacket: Edgerrin James on Wolf & Luke The Teammate's Perspective: Edge joins the show to talk about the Larry Fitzgerald coronation and his own time in the desert. The "Turtle" Rebuttal: I address a specific social media claim that Edge was the "worst ever" in Arizona. We pull the receipts on his 337-carry workload to prove that "past his prime" does not mean "soft." 43:12 - Suns: The "Awkward" Offense Burns & Gambo ask: "Did the offense feel awkward with Devin Booker and Jalen Green back in the lineup?" We look at the reality of back-to-back home losses and why the Suns have suddenly dropped three games at the Mortgage Matchup Center this February. 52:56 - The Trust Gap: Jalen Green’s Mental Hurdle The Hamstring Shadow: Jalen Green admits to Duane Rankin that his hesitancy on drives isn't a "health" issue—it's a "trust" issue. We break down the post-practice media session and analyze the process of trusting the body after a recurring injury. 1:16:31 - The Valley Pulse: Top 3 Edition #3. The WM Phoenix Open Vibe Check: Why seeing the Cardinals' pillars at TPC Scottsdale is the ultimate "Social Capital" receipt. #2. The Mike LaFleur Pedigree: TheMcVay/Shanahan DNA officially enters the building. #1. The Immortal #11: Why Larry Fitzgerald's first-ballot status secures his place as the Valley's "Gold Standard." Follow The Valley Verdict: Facebook: [@thevalleyverdict] Instagram: [@thevalleyverdictpodcast] YouTube: [@thevalleyverdict]

    1h 24m

  3. 4D AGO

    The Gold Jacket & The Glass House (Part 2)

    In a massive 4-hour Saturday special, we clear the deck on a historic week in Arizona sports. From the introductory press conference of Mike LaFleur to the first-ballot coronation of Larry Fitzgerald, we break down the pedigree, the loyalty, and the logic behind the Valley's biggest stories. PART 1: THE HIRE & THE HERITAGE 00:00 - Welcome 11:07 - The 2-Minute Warning Rapid-fire recap: The high-scoring shootout in Portland and the 4th-quarter collapse against the Warriors. Plus, ASU takes care of business in Salt Lake City. 13:26 - THE ABSOLUTE VERDICT: The One-Club King In light of the HOF news, we look at the future. Why Devin Booker (in season 11) is the only athlete in the Valley with the DNA to inherit the Fitzgerald mantle of lifelong loyalty. 19:35 - THE HIRE: The Mike LaFleur Era Begins The Podium Energy: Breaking down the intro presser and the Matt LaFleur "Family Scrum." Locker Room Buy-In: Reaction from Mack Wilson Sr. and Michael Wilson. The Pro-AM Report: Tyler Drake catches up with Trey McBride, Budda Baker, and Zaven Collins at the WM Phoenix Open for their raw reaction to the hire. The Media Cycle: Reactions from Wolf & Luke and Bickley & Marotta. PART 2: THE LEGEND & THE LAPSE 2:48:40 - THE LEGEND: Larry Fitzgerald HOF The Reveal: The NFL Honors audio and the emotional Randy Moss surprise (The Ballboy to the Hall). The Inner Circle: Cam Cox (12 News) with exclusive 1-on-1s with Larry and Larry Sr. The Legacy Question: Reacting to Wolf & Luke: "How will the Valley remember Larry Fitzgerald?" 3:28:50 - THE CALL OUT: Larry Fitzgerald RE-SPECT: High-intensity, Pantera-style tribute to the GOAT. The 48-year wait since Larry Wilson (1978) is over. 3:31:48 - SUNS POST-MORTEM: The 4th Quarter Reality The Jordan Ott Perspective: Breaking down the post-game sound and the practice availability regarding the Warriors collapse. The Bounce Back: Jordan Goodwin joins Burns & Gambo to discuss the locker room's mental state heading into the 76ers matchup. Follow The Valley Verdict: Facebook: [@thevalleyverdict] Instagram: [@thevalleyverdictpodcast] YouTube: [@thevalleyverdict]

    17 min

  4. 4D AGO

    The Gold Jacket & The Glass House (Part 1)

    In a massive 4-hour Saturday special, we clear the deck on a historic week in Arizona sports. From the introductory press conference of Mike LaFleur to the first-ballot coronation of Larry Fitzgerald, we break down the pedigree, the loyalty, and the logic behind the Valley's biggest stories. PART 1: THE HIRE & THE HERITAGE 00:00 - Welcome 11:07 - The 2-Minute Warning Rapid-fire recap: The high-scoring shootout in Portland and the 4th-quarter collapse against the Warriors. Plus, ASU takes care of business in Salt Lake City. 13:26 - THE ABSOLUTE VERDICT: The One-Club King In light of the HOF news, we look at the future. Why Devin Booker (in season 11) is the only athlete in the Valley with the DNA to inherit the Fitzgerald mantle of lifelong loyalty. 19:35 - THE HIRE: The Mike LaFleur Era Begins The Podium Energy: Breaking down the intro presser and the Matt LaFleur "Family Scrum." Locker Room Buy-In: Reaction from Mack Wilson Sr. and Michael Wilson. The Pro-AM Report: Tyler Drake catches up with Trey McBride, Budda Baker, and Zaven Collins at the WM Phoenix Open for their raw reaction to the hire. The Media Cycle: Reactions from Wolf & Luke and Bickley & Marotta. PART 2: THE LEGEND & THE LAPSE 2:48:40 - THE LEGEND: Larry Fitzgerald HOF The Reveal: The NFL Honors audio and the emotional Randy Moss surprise (The Ballboy to the Hall). The Inner Circle: Cam Cox (12 News) with exclusive 1-on-1s with Larry and Larry Sr. The Legacy Question: Reacting to Wolf & Luke: "How will the Valley remember Larry Fitzgerald?" 3:28:50 - THE CALL OUT: Larry Fitzgerald RE-SPECT: High-intensity, Pantera-style tribute to the GOAT. The 48-year wait since Larry Wilson (1978) is over. 3:31:48 - SUNS POST-MORTEM: The 4th Quarter Reality The Jordan Ott Perspective: Breaking down the post-game sound and the practice availability regarding the Warriors collapse. The Bounce Back: Jordan Goodwin joins Burns & Gambo to discuss the locker room's mental state heading into the 76ers matchup. Follow The Valley Verdict: Facebook: [@thevalleyverdict] Instagram: [@thevalleyverdictpodcast] YouTube: [@thevalleyverdict]

    3h 57m

  5. FEB 3

    The Cardinals are the NFL’s Laughing Stock: The Absolute Verdict | Mike LaFleur’s Pedigree

    The 27-day wait for a head coach is over, but the questions are just beginning. From the Phoenix Suns' rollercoaster weekend to the Arizona Cardinals settling for a "Plan B" hire in the middle of a same-day fire drill, The Valley Verdict holds the organization accountable to the data. In this episode: 00:00 - Welcome 15:43 - The 2-Minute Warning: We recap a wild weekend in 120 seconds. We track the Suns' back-to-back wins over Detroit and Cleveland, the reality check against the Clippers, and the "halftime hope" that faded for ASU in the Territorial Showdown against #1 UofA. Plus, the breaking news of the Mike LaFleur hire. 18:08 - THE ABSOLUTE VERDICT: The Scramble for Plan B The Same-Day Optics: Klint Kubiak says "No" to the Valley and "Yes" to Vegas. We discuss the fire drill that led to the Mike LaFleur hire just hours later. The Theo Mackie Receipt: We break down the statistical proof of ineptitude. Why family-owned teams without an outside President make the playoffs only 28% of the time compared to 48.5% for those that do. The Price of a Winner: Would you trade Darius Robinson and Max Melton for Sean Payton? We explain why we’d do it 10 times out of 10 to fix the culture. 27:26 - Personnel Study: Mike LaFleur The Dual-Tree Hybrid: We trace LaFleur's journey from the Shanahan lab in Atlanta to the McVay lab in LA. The Brotherly Blueprint: How the connection between Matt and Mike LaFleur creates a "shared DNA" system that Kyler Murray has to master. The Adaptation Challenge: Can a coach who has spent his career with Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford adapt his scheme to the most unique athlete in the NFL? 37:32 - Media Reactions: The 98.7 Counter-Punch Wolf & Luke: What should Mike LaFleur’s actual plan be for Kyler Murray? Burns & Gambo: The comparison is in. Can Mike LaFleur replicate the cultural and structural success of Jordan Ott in his first season? The Verdict: Is hiring Mike LaFleur the day your top choice rejects you a sign of a "deliberate process," or is it officially time to call the Cardinals a joke? 👇 Follow The Valley Verdict: Facebook: [@thevalleyverdict] Instagram: [@thevalleyverdictpodcast] YouTube: [@thevalleyverdict]

    1h 20m

  6. JAN 29

    The Ott Standard: 72 Paint Points | Cardinals Carousel: LaFleur, Rivera, & Kubiak

    The Valley didn't slow down while we were away. From a massive "Identity Win" for the Suns to the Cardinals becoming one of the final two teams in the NFL without a head coach, Episode 632 breaks down the structure and the chaos. CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome 10:10 - The 2-Minute Warning: Recapping the Suns' 5-Game Stretch 13:50 - Cardinals Coaching Carousel: McDermott, LaFleur, & Rivera 1:10:40 - Suns Analysis: The Ott Standard & Next Man Up Mentality 1:55:20 - The Valley Pulse: Top 5 Stories (ASU, Odum, & The Carousel) IN THIS EPISODE: Cardinals Coaching Carousel: The McDermott Factor: Lorenzo Alexander (Bills/Cards) weighs in on Sean McDermott. The Dinner Date: Did Mike LaFleur just become the favorite? We discuss the reported dinner interview and the massive shift in betting odds. Under the Radar: Ron Rivera’s "stealth" interview—what does the veteran presence mean? The Kubiak Question: Is Klint Kubiak the missing piece for Kyler Murray? One of Two: Arizona and Las Vegas are the only seats left. We discuss why the Cardinals are content with being last. Suns: The Ott Standard: Media Reactions: We hear from Mark Williams and Head Coach Jordan Ott’s assessment of the "Next Man Up" mentality. 72 Points in the Paint: How the Suns dominated the interior without Booker, Green, or Gillespie. We break down the 53-point combined effort from Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams. The Valley Pulse: 5. The Spinning Carousel: The isolation of being the last team searching. 4. Mo Odum’s Masterclass: The 33-point savior for ASU. 3. 72 Points in the Paint: The definitive identity stat of the season. 2. The "Next Man Up" Blueprint: Why the Suns' depth is no longer a theory. 1. The Ott Standard: Why Jordan Ott and his staff are the most important momentum-shifters in Arizona right now. The Verdict: Is a win without Devin Booker the ultimate proof that Jordan Ott's system is the real star of the Valley? 👇 Follow The Valley Verdict: Facebook: [@thevalleyverdict] Instagram: [@thevalleyverdictpodcast] YouTube: [@thevalleyverdict]

    2h 4m

  7. JAN 23

    The Booker Quote They Ignored | Suns' Identity Shift with Royce O'Neale | The Weekend Verdict

    Everybody has been asking the "Identity" question, but the answer has been hiding in plain sight for months. On today’s Episode 631 of The Valley Verdict, we react to the conversation between Burns & Gambo and Royce O'Neale, Bickley & Marotta's "Redemption" narrative, and we bring back our weekend prop segment with an official title. In this episode: 00:00 - Welcome 5:05 - The Royce O'Neale Reaction: We break down the 6:15 mark of the conversation between Burns & Gambo and Royce O'Neale. Royce discusses what makes this year's identity different, but I’m pulling the "Missing Receipt" from Devin Booker’s exit interview that the mainstream media completely overlooked. I’ve been standing on the table about this quote for months—it's the blueprint for everything we're seeing now. 22:42 - The Redemption Season: Reacting to Bickley and Marotta’s take from this morning. Is this truly a redemption year for Devin Booker and the Suns? We analyze the shift from "just basketball" to a defined, gritty structure under Jordan Ott. 33:45 - The Weekend Verdict: We give an official name to a segment we've touched on before. I’m laying out our picks for the Suns' weekend slate (Friday & Sunday) and ASU’s massive home game against Cincinnati. From Jalen Green's stat-sheet stuffing to Book's Sunday masterpiece, the tickets are in for the weekend. The Verdict: Is the Suns' current success a surprise, or is it exactly what Devin Booker demanded in that exit interview months ago? 👇 Follow The Valley Verdict: Facebook: [@thevalleyverdict] Instagram: [@thevalleyverdictpodcast] YouTube: [@thevalleyverdict]

    42 min

  8. JAN 22

    Bobby Hurley Rips ASU! | The "Gray Beard" Warner Blueprint | Ryan Dunn vs. Oso Ighodaro

    Bobby Hurley has reached his breaking point with ASU, and the Cardinals' search remains frozen. On today’s Episode 630 of The Valley Verdict, we break down the fallout of the West Virginia loss, the organizational shift needed for the Arizona Cardinals, and a film study on the development gap between the Suns' top sophomores. In this episode: 00:00 - Welcome 11:57 - Bobby Hurley’s "Breaking Point" Presser: We analyze the 2-minute and 11-second "matter of fact" rant from Bobby Hurley after the 75-63 loss to West Virginia. From "my voice isn't working" to "we got punked," we look at the posture of a coach who says he has failed this group. 27:37 - Cardinals: The Warner Blueprint: Expounding on the organizational shift Michael Bidwill must make. We discuss why the Cardinals need "Gray Beard"—the nickname Ron Wolfley famously gives to Kurt Warner—or a leader like Carson Palmer to lead this football search as President of Football Operations. Plus, the shift in QB philosophy: targeting the "pocket-passing QB who can run." 35:40 - Suns: Jalen Green & The Minutes Balance: Reacting to the Suns' victory in Philly. We discuss Wolf & Luke's take on Jalen Green being the "real trade deadline" acquisition and react to Burns & Gambo's concerns about Jordan Ott maintaining the rotation balance with Green’s return. 49:48 - Film Room: Ryan Dunn vs. Oso Ighodaro: A deep dive into the tape and the stats. We look at Ryan Dunn's best plays from the 24/25 rookie season to identify the "Hesitation Gap" in his current game compared to the high-IQ efficiency Oso Ighodaro is bringing to the second unit. Follow The Valley Verdict: Facebook: [@thevalleyverdict] Instagram: [@thevalleyverdictpodcast] YouTube: [@thevalleyverdict]

    1h 9m
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About

The Valley Verdict delivers the final word on everything happening in the Arizona sports world. ​This is the only podcast completely devoted to passionate, full coverage of the major Phoenix market teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and ASU football and basketball. ​Hosted by David Murphey, broadcasting from the land of the Big Sky in Billings, Montana, we offer in-depth analysis, game breakdowns, and a unique perspective on the teams that matter most to the Valley of the Sun. If it’s happening in Arizona sports, we’ve got the verdict.

Information

  • Creator
    The Valley Verdict
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    637
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Valley Verdict
  • Show Website
    The Valley Verdict