IMPRESSIVE NEWS NOW: The Phoenix Suns head coach has just recruited five superstars to the team today
Today, the head coach of the Phoenix Suns added five superstars to the roster.
PHOENIX: The Phoenix Suns team’s recent trajectory has been unclear.
Before the February NBA trade deadline, new owner Mat Ishbia quickly made his name in the Valley by acquiring the Phoenix Mercury and Suns. Since then, he has had a hand in the acquisition of young, talented players and significant draft capital for Kevin Durant, the 34-year-old superstar. Subsequently, after the Suns had lost their second consecutive conference semifinal, one of the three coaches that led the team to the NBA Finals, Monty Williams, was informed that it was his final game as a Suns coach.
Suns supporters who are keen to learn anything about Ishbia and general manager James Jones’ plans for the team’s future simply need to watch the press conference on Tuesday where Frank Vogel was named the new head coach.
After 11 seasons as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers, Vogel, 49, has a 431-389 record. Vogel is well-known for emphasizing toughness and team defense; his teams have made the playoffs seven times out of his eleven coaching seasons and have three times led the league in defensive rating.
Vogel is most valuable to the Suns since he has championship experience from his 2020 NBA Finals victory with the Lakers. Additionally, he has coached players on a par with superstars, which is crucial when trying to get a team that features players like Durant and Devin Booker to adopt a new philosophy.
This season, Vogel will have a great deal of assistance as he and the Suns work to surround their newest addition with an elite coaching staff.
After interviewing with the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, and Houston Rockets this spring, associate head coach Kevin Young—who has been with the Suns organization since 2021—was reportedly offered a contract to remain in Phoenix as the highest-paid assistant coach in the NBA.
Vogel described Young as having “a great deal of respect for his offensive mind.” “You’re an excellent coach on both sides of the ball when you’re about to become a head coach. I think he brings both strengths and perspectives to the table.
Two days after this announcement, it was reported that David Fizdale, the former head coach of the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies, would also be joining the Suns. Having worked under Vogel as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021–22 season and as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat while Jones was a player there, Fizdale has championship experience with both Vogel and Jones.
It’s safe to say that the Suns organization now has true championship experience at every level, thanks to the recent additions of Durant, Fizdale, and Vogel. Theoretically, this experience can compensate for the organization’s recent string of near-misses.
The Suns suffered horrific blowout losses to the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets in their successive second-round exits following their six-game loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Regarding the choice to move on from Williams, Jones remarked, “A difficult decision had to be made about where we go next.” We were aware that, moving forward, we would require an injection, a new voice, and a new vision. Really, it is that easy. We only noticed a hole that needed to be filled as we assessed where we were and where we wanted to go.
It remains to be seen if Vogel is the right person to close that gap. He undoubtedly satisfies all the requirements, and he has the support of the Suns and Ishbia.
The Suns appear to have a championship window that depends on the superstars’ continued health and output, given their present team configuration. Suns supporters can be relieved that Vogel doesn’t appear to be considering a costly rebuild since his ability to draw elite players can undoubtedly help mold the surrounding roster and extend that window.
