By Jordan Long
The Phoenix Suns finished the year at 45-37, earning a playoff spot for the 3rd year in a row. It was a disappointing playoff run, losing to the Nuggets in the second-round in 6 games. Once the series was over, Phoenix fired Monty Williams. They found his replacement, Frank Vogel.
Williams was very successful with the Suns. He was there from 2019 to this season. His overall record was an outstanding 194-115, a winning percentage of .628. The Suns earned a playoff spot in 3 of his 4 years. They missed the playoffs once, in 2020.
This year they higher had expectations. The Suns made a trade to land superstar Kevin Durant. This occurred on February 9th. The Suns sent Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Juan Pablo Vaulet, as well as 5 future first-round picks, and 2 second-round future selections to the Nets for Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren. It seemed like this was a lot for one player. In the end, it cost Williams his job since the Suns didn’t advance far in the playoffs.
The Suns started a coaching search. Plenty of names were out there for them including Nick Nurse, Mike Budenholzer, Frank Vogel, and Terry Stotts. All of them have NBA Head Coaching experience. Nurse, Budenholzer, and Vogel have won NBA Championships as head coaches. In the end, the Suns felt Vogel is the right man for the job.
Vogel has coached 820 games for Orlando, Indiana, and the L.A. Lakers. His record is 431-389, a winning percentage of .526. His teams earned a playoff spot 7 times. Vogel was the Laker’s coach when they won the NBA Championship in 2020 in the bubble setting. The Lakers let him go following a 33-49 record last year.
According to NBA.com, Vogel said, “The first thing I can apply is direct belief. “Now because I’ve done it, I’ve been a part of it. If the talent is in place, that you can galvanize a group and take the league by storm.”
The Suns should be a top 4 team in the Western Conference next season. They have superstars in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Chris Paul. These shooters are going to need to lead the way. It will be up to Vogel to coach them not only to playoffs but the franchise wants a long playoff run.
Vogel will have plenty of time to keep the Suns as one of the best teams in the Western Conference. They should be a playoff team for a few years. The goal is to win an NBA championship. If the Suns fail to do so, Vogel may be gone. For now, this is a great hire for the Suns.
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