FATALLY FLAWED 😬 Wilbon has NO solution for Phoenix's roster + Lakers' HC search | NBA Today

ESPN
10 May 202410:19

TLDRThe Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Frank Vogel after being swept in the first round of the postseason. The team is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Mike Budenholzer as their next head coach. Despite Budenholzer's impressive track record, including a championship win and high win percentage with the Milwaukee Bucks, there are concerns that Phoenix's roster is fatally flawed. The Suns lack a player who can take charge in crucial moments, and there's a debate over whether a 'big three' approach is still viable in the NBA. The team's roster issues are seen as deeper than just coaching, with suggestions that significant changes may be needed, including potential trades of key players. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are also searching for a new head coach, with the focus on finding someone who can maximize Anthony Davis's performance. The Lakers' search is expected to intensify during the NBA draft combine, with a variety of candidates being considered, including assistant coaches and unorthodox choices.

Takeaways

  • 🏀 The Phoenix Suns have fired their head coach, Frank Vogel, after being swept in the first round of the postseason.
  • 🔄 The Suns are expected to appoint Mike Budenholzer as their next head coach, following talks that are progressing well.
  • 🏆 Mike Budenholzer has a strong track record, with nearly a 70% win rate over 5 years with the Milwaukee Bucks and has been named Coach of the Year.
  • 🤔 There are concerns that the Suns' roster is fatally flawed and lacks a player to take charge in crucial game moments.
  • 👥 Discussion about whether the Suns need an 'alpha' player alongside Kevin Durant to improve leadership.
  • 📉 The Suns' roster issues are highlighted by the lack of depth and the fact that they traded many assets to acquire key players.
  • 🤝 There is an emphasis on the need for the Suns to make significant roster changes, not just subtle ones, to improve.
  • 🚫 Devin Booker and Bradley Beal's playing styles are questioned in terms of their ability to lead and involve others in the offense.
  • 🛠️ The Suns are said to be considering another run with their current group, including Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
  • 🔍 The Lakers' head coach search is expected to intensify, with a focus on finding a coach who can maximize Anthony Davis's potential.
  • ⏳ There is no clear candidate for the Lakers' head coach position, and the organization will need to be strategic in their selection.

Q & A

  • Who was the head coach of the Phoenix Suns before being fired?

    -Frank Vogel was the head coach of the Phoenix Suns before being fired.

  • Why was Frank Vogel fired from the Phoenix Suns?

    -Frank Vogel was fired because the Suns were swept in the first round by the Timberwolves in the postseason.

  • Who is expected to be the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns?

    -Mike Budenholzer is expected to be the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns.

  • What is the concern about the Phoenix Suns' roster?

    -The concern is that the Suns' roster is fatally flawed, lacking the necessary pieces and a leader to organize the team in crucial moments.

  • What is the suggested solution to the Suns' roster issues?

    -The suggested solution is making a substantive change to the primary roster, which may involve trading one of the key players.

  • What is the current status of the Los Angeles Lakers' head coach search?

    -The Lakers' search for a new head coach is expected to heat up during the NBA draft combine.

  • Who are some potential candidates for the Lakers' head coach position?

    -Potential candidates include assistant coaches like James Borrego from New Orleans and unorthodox candidates like JJ Redick.

  • Why is Anthony Davis expected to have a significant influence on the Lakers' next head coach?

    -Anthony Davis is expected to have a significant influence because he is likely to play for the next coach longer than LeBron James, given his potential to stay with the Lakers.

  • What is the main focus for the Lakers in their head coach search?

    -The main focus for the Lakers in their head coach search is finding a coach that can maximize the potential of Anthony Davis.

  • What is the criticism regarding the concept of 'big threes' in the NBA?

    -The criticism is that 'big threes' are outdated in the NBA, especially if it requires trading away all assets to acquire two of the three players, which can hinder the team's ability to improve the rest of the roster.

  • What is the situation with Bradley Beal's contract and his no-trade clause?

    -Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause and despite his value not being high last year, it is not ruled out that he could be traded between now and July, depending on conversations and changes in the Suns' strategy.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Suns Fire Vogel, Eye Buerholer as New Coach

The Phoenix Suns have dismissed head coach Frank Vogel after being swept in the first round of the postseason by the Timberwolves. Vogel was in the first year of his five-year contract. Mike Budenholzer is the leading candidate to become the Suns' new head coach, with discussions progressing and an expectation of a deal being finalized. Budenholzer has a strong track record, with nearly a 70% win rate over five years with the Milwaukee Bucks and has been named Coach of the Year. However, despite his impressive credentials, the Suns face significant roster issues that even a new coach might not be able to solve immediately. The team lacks a clear leader in clutch moments, and there is speculation that a significant roster change may be necessary to address the team's flaws.

05:00

🤔 Roster Issues Beyond Coaching for Phoenix

The discussion highlights that the Phoenix Suns' problems extend beyond the coaching change. The team's roster is considered flawed, lacking a player who can take charge during crucial moments in games. The Suns have traded many assets to acquire key players like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, which has left them with limited resources to improve the roster depth. The comparison is made with other successful teams that have developed their core players through drafting and internal growth rather than trading away assets. There is a suggestion that the Suns may consider trading one of their star players to reshape the team. The conversation also touches on the importance of having a player who can organize and lead the team, especially when paired with a star like Durant, who may not naturally fit that role.

10:02

🏆 Lakers' Coaching Search and Anthony Davis' Influence

The narrative shifts to the Los Angeles Lakers and their search for a new head coach. The Lakers' focus is expected to be on finding a coach who can maximize the potential of Anthony Davis, rather than catering to LeBron James. The coaching market is analyzed, noting the absence of an obvious veteran coach after Mike Budenholzer is no longer an option. The Lakers are said to be considering a range of candidates, from experienced assistants to unorthodox choices who have not previously held a head coaching position. There is an emphasis on the importance of the new coach in developing a strong relationship with Davis, who is expected to have a significant voice in the hiring process. The challenge for the Lakers is to find a coach who can lead the team to success in a highly competitive Western Conference.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are part of the NBA (National Basketball Association). In the context of the video, they have recently fired their head coach, Frank Vogel, after being swept in the first round of the postseason. The Suns are looking for a new head coach to lead the team, which is a significant decision for their future performance.

💡Frank Vogel

Frank Vogel is a basketball coach who was previously the head coach of the Phoenix Suns. He was in the first year of a 5-year contract when he was let go. His dismissal is a key event in the video, as it leads to discussions about the team's future and the search for a new head coach.

💡Mike Budenholzer

Mike Budenholzer is a professional basketball coach who is being considered as the next head coach for the Phoenix Suns. He has a strong track record of success, having won nearly 70% of his games in 5 years with the Milwaukee Bucks and having been named Coach of the Year. His potential hiring is a central topic in the video, as it discusses his coaching style and how he might impact the Suns.

💡Roster

In basketball, a roster refers to the list of players on a team. The video discusses the Phoenix Suns' roster as being 'fatally flawed,' meaning that the current lineup of players is not considered ideal or sufficient to achieve success. The analysis suggests that significant changes to the roster may be necessary to improve the team's performance.

💡All-Star

An All-Star in the context of the NBA refers to a player who has been selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game, an annual exhibition game featuring the league's top players as voted by fans, coaches, and players. The video mentions that the Phoenix Suns have three All-Star level players, indicating a high level of talent on the team.

💡Trade

A trade in professional basketball involves exchanging players between teams. The video suggests that the Phoenix Suns may need to make a significant trade involving one of their key players to alter their roster and improve the team's dynamics and performance.

💡Leadership

Leadership in a basketball context refers to a player's ability to guide and motivate the team, especially during crucial moments in a game. The video discusses the lack of leadership on the Phoenix Suns' roster, which is seen as a problem that needs to be addressed for the team to succeed.

💡Big Three

A 'Big Three' in basketball terminology typically refers to a team having three star players who are expected to carry the team to success. The video argues that the concept of a 'Big Three' may be outdated, especially if it requires trading away valuable assets to acquire such players, which can limit the team's roster depth.

💡Assets

In the context of basketball team management, assets refer to the players, draft picks, or financial resources that a team possesses and can use to improve the team. The video mentions that the Phoenix Suns traded many of their assets to acquire key players, which has made it difficult for them to improve the rest of their roster.

💡Lakers

The Lakers, short for the Los Angeles Lakers, are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, and are also part of the NBA. The video discusses the Lakers' search for a new head coach, which is a significant event for the team as they look to improve their performance in future seasons.

💡Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. The video suggests that the Lakers' search for a new head coach should focus on finding someone who can maximize Davis's performance, as he is expected to have a significant role in the team's future success.

Highlights

Phoenix Suns fired head coach Frank Vogel after being swept in the first round of the postseason.

The Suns are expected to hire Mike Budenholzer as their next head coach, marking their third coaching change in as many seasons.

Budenholzer has a nearly 70% win rate over five years with the Milwaukee Bucks and was also named Coach of the Year.

The Suns' roster is considered fatally flawed, lacking a player to run and organize the team in crucial moments.

The Suns may need to make a significant roster change, potentially trading one of their star players.

The current Suns roster does not fit the traditional 'big three' dynamic seen in successful NBA teams.

Kevin Durant is not seen as a natural leader on the court, which is a concern for the Suns.

Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are primarily scorers, not known for their playmaking or leadership.

The Suns traded many assets to acquire Beal and Durant, limiting their ability to improve the roster depth.

The Suns are looking to go another year with their current group, including Durant, Booker, and Beal.

The Lakers' head coaching search is expected to intensify, with a focus on finding a coach who can maximize Anthony Davis' potential.

The Lakers' coaching search does not have an obvious veteran candidate, unlike previous searches.

Anthony Davis is expected to have a significant voice in the Lakers' coaching decision, as he is likely to play for the new coach longer than LeBron James.

The Lakers aim to find a coach who can help them navigate a competitive Western Conference, with teams like Minnesota and Oklahoma City on the rise.

The Lakers' coaching search is a critical task for one of the most historical franchises in sports.

The Suns and Lakers are both in need of strategic changes to their rosters and coaching staff to improve their chances in the NBA.

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