The Phoenix Suns fired Frank Vogel after the Suns were swept in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Vogel coached for just one season with the franchise, as they now try to find a replacement for the former champion. The Suns are eyeing another former championship head coach, closing in on hiring Mike Budenholzer.
“Mike Budenholzer has emerged as the Phoenix Suns’ target to become the franchise’s next coach, and discussions are expected to move rapidly toward a deal, sources told ESPN on Thursday.”
Budenholzer has a stronger coaching resume than Vogel, given all the No. 1 seed finishes in his career, in addition to the 2021 Championship that he led the Bucks to. Funnily, Budenholzer beat the Suns in those Finals and is an Arizona native. His family is still here, and the coach would value that proximity to family after a challenging year.
Vogel was never given a fair chance, as the defensive coach was given an offense-heavy roster with players either unwilling or unable to play high-level defense. This is a team that deployed Kevin Durant as their defensive anchor for most of the season because there were no other defensive options for most of the season.
Vogel leaves Phoenix with a 49-37 record, including his 0-4 playoff record with the franchise.
Mike Budenholzer Could Be The Perfect Coach For The Suns
The fact that Budenholzer’s hiring came a few hours after Mat Ishbia fired Vogel shows that the Suns are trying to lock down their replacement as soon as possible. The Lakers were interested in Coach Bud’s signature, but it seems that pursuit will fall apart with the Suns pushing aggressively to get Bud in before the end of the evening. He’s already preparing a team of assistant coaches for this new step.
Stylistically, Budenholzer brings one thing to the table that the Suns desperately need, which is being able to structure an offense without a point guard. The most notable points guards in Bud’s recent coaching past are Jeff Teague, Eric Bledsoe, and Jrue Holiday. These aren’t ace playmakers, but Bud’s offenses ranked among the highest in the NBA.
Devin Booker as a guard scorer is better than any player Budenholzer has coached. Their relationship would be incredible given how Budenholzer relies on his players. If the coach asks Durant to be a defense-first player because Booker and Bradley Beal are to carry the offense, the forward would likely oblige as well.
The biggest drawback with Budenholzer’s coaching is his in-game adjustments. One of the biggest criticisms levied at him during his time with the Bucks was an inability to make major tactical adjustments in playoff games if the opponents figured his offense out.
He has three automatic scorers on the roster, so maybe the offensive deficiencies can be covered up with talent. He’ll put in place at least a functioning defensive system, but the Suns have to find a way to target the right players in the offseason to build a competent team for next season.
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