Arizona's Phoenix Suns: A Rollercoaster of Changes

The Phoenix Suns have had a rough few years. The team just fired their third head coach in as many years. Mike Budenholzer was let go after a disappointing season. The Suns missed the playoffs and the play-in tournament, finishing with a record of 36-46. This was the third straight year the team took a step back. The decision to fire Budenholzer came after reports of tension between the coach and star player Devin Booker. There were also rumors of a potential trade involving Kevin Durant, which never materialized. The team's owner, Mat Ishbia, has been at the helm for over two seasons now, and this is the third coaching change under his watch. The Suns have had a revolving door of coaches. Frank Vogel was the coach last season, leading the team to a 49-win season and the No. 6 seed. However, they were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Before Vogel, Monty Williams coached the team. In the 2022-23 season, they finished as the No. 4 seed but lost in the second round of the playoffs to the eventual champions, the Denver Nuggets. Budenholzer, a native of Holbrook, Arizona, had a strong resume. He won an NBA Finals with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. However, his time with the Suns was marked by injuries and a lack of cohesion among the players. The team started strong with a 9-2 record but quickly fell apart. Key players like Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic were benched, and there were reports of friction within the team. The Suns' defense was a major issue. From February onwards, they had the worst defensive rating in the NBA. This was a stark contrast to their previous seasons, where they had a strong defensive presence. The team's lack of effort and engagement was evident in their games, leading to a disappointing season. Budenholzer's coaching career before the Suns was impressive. He spent 17 years as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs before becoming the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks in 2013. He won two NBA Coach of the Year awards and led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals twice. After leaving the Hawks, he joined the Bucks, where he won an NBA championship in 2021. The Suns' struggles this season raise questions about the team's direction. With another coaching change, the team will need to find a way to regain their competitive edge. The fans deserve better, and the team will need to make significant changes to meet their goals. The NBA is a tough league, and the Suns have had their share of ups and downs. With a new coach and a renewed focus, the team can bounce back. The key will be finding the right balance between star players and team cohesion. The Suns have the talent, but they need to work together to achieve success.