(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Life has come full circle for a former NBA champion.
Mike Budenholzer is heading back to Arizona, this time to coach the Phoenix Suns.
That’s why, shortly after being appointed as their new coach, he revealed that they were the team he grew up watching, stating how thankful he was for having the opportunity to coach such a talented group of players (via Phoenix Suns).
“I am honored to be named head coach of the Phoenix Suns, the team I grew up watching. I’m grateful to have a talented roster of players who are ready to compete and play a style of basketball that will bring out the best in all of them, and bring them together as we compete for championships,” Budenholzer said.
Returning home with one goal. pic.twitter.com/pK4ot5Nbda
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 11, 2024
This isn’t much of a surprise, as he was born in Holbrook, Arizona.
The Suns’ problems go way beyond coaching, however.
Frank Vogel was the fall guy after being swept in the first round, even though he had a team with not many good defenders in the top half of the league defensively for most of the season.
The Suns have two of the best scorers in the game in Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but not so much besides that.
Bradley Beal, when healthy, isn’t the player he used to be, and the lack of a traditional point guard also hurt this team more often than not.
Truth be told, there weren’t a lot of coaches who could’ve kept this team afloat.
Budenholzer comes with a championship pedigree and well-documented success in the regular season.
He’s great with the Xs and Os, although his reluctance to make in-game and in-series adjustments has also backfired multiple times in the playoffs.
Whatever the case, it’s hard to envision a different outcome for this team unless they make some serious roster moves, which they might not be willing or able to do.
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