Shams Bomb: Suns hire Mike Budenholzer

[Deshaun Taden]

Great hire. I don't really buy them as a champion, not with so many young, explosive teams in the West, but I think they'll be put in the best position to succeed. They'll probably be a top 3 seed, meaning they get an easier first round matchup.

[The High Cyde]

This won’t do or change sh*t. Unfortunately the rot starts from ownership and the stink will last years.

[boomershadow]

I honestly don't think Budz is that much different than Vogul in terms of ability, so we'll see.

He isn't. They're extraordinarily similar coaching wise, aren't they?

[Slimjimzv]

Buds is a great coach. He did more with less in Atlanta and took the Bucks to a new level. I think he'll be great for the Suns. I hope so, anyway. Booker deserves another real shot at the Championship.

[Waynearchetype]

Was really hoping they'd take Billups off our hands... The dream is dead.

[Infinite Llamas]

Good luck but I think we place too many expectations on coaches and not enough on GMs in this era.

I sat through Borrego trying every single defensive coverage in the book, drop, ice, even some zone, switching, etc. just throwing **** at the wall and hoping it would stick. He tried his absolute best to find a defensive scheme that worked but at some point our personnel was just inherently too exploitable.

This is the Suns issue too.

I liked Borrego. He got that team to the play in a couple of times and they spiraled when he was fired for Clifford. I’m sure it was a tanking maneuver and they got Miller out of it but Borrego was really solid I thought as an outsider looking in.

[sp6r=underrated]

Good luck with his zero adjustments

Bud isn't the greatest coach and is too rigid. But he's one of the best coaches at identfying the best possible scheme for his roster. And that has a lot of value.

[sp6r=underrated]

I honestly don't think Budz is that much different than Vogul in terms of ability, so we'll see.

He isn't. They're extraordinarily similar coaching wise, aren't they?

Different strengths/weaknesses. Vog is a great defensive coach with a mediocre offensive mind. When the Suns hired him they were hoping he could make the defense servicable while the stars could carry the offense. Bud is one of the best strategist in the last 2 decades at (i) evaluating his team's strengths and weaknesses; and (ii) developing and implementing the best scheme based on point 1. His problem is he is way too rigid about deviating from his plan which makes him very vulnerable if someone cracks it.

I'm not sure Bud is the perfect fit but I don't see this as a lateral move.

[IamBBAnalysis]

Bud is a great coach, but no coach is going to fix this roster and the owner and FO's mindset. Ishbia and JJ made it clear they dont want a PG and want their 3 stars taking turns iso'ing and that will limit the coach's impact on offense. They need better defensive personnel but Vogel did a great job building a decent defense considering the roster. Vogel wasn't the problem and Bud wont be the solution. It's a lateral move for the Suns if no impactful player move is made and unless he manages to make a miracle Bud probably wont last more than a season.

As someone who is local and listens to the Suns insiders, the coach had lost the team early and they never respected him. And there never was an offensive plan. Really, the offense should be better. Vogel did fine with the defense.

[Pointgod]

Matt Ishbia is a wild boy lmao

[Pointgod]

I honestly don't think Budz is that much different than Vogul in terms of ability, so we'll see.

He isn't. They're extraordinarily similar coaching wise, aren't they?

Different strengths/weaknesses. Vog is a great defensive coach with a mediocre offensive mind. When the Suns hired him they were hoping he could make the defense servicable while the stars could carry the offense. Bud is one of the best strategist in the last 2 decades at (i) evaluating his team's strengths and weaknesses; and (ii) developing and implementing the best scheme based on point 1. His problem is he is way too rigid about deviating from his plan which makes him very vulnerable if someone cracks it.

I'm not sure Bud is the perfect fit but I don't see this as a lateral move.

Perfect assessment. Bud is Monty Williamsesque when it comes to sticking to his game plan regardless of outcome. The perfect coach for the Suns is a Ty Lue who will exploit match ups, tweak and try new things.

[ChipotleWest]

2025: Suns fire Mike Bud

[sp6r=underrated]

He isn't. They're extraordinarily similar coaching wise, aren't they?

Different strengths/weaknesses. Vog is a great defensive coach with a mediocre offensive mind. When the Suns hired him they were hoping he could make the defense servicable while the stars could carry the offense. Bud is one of the best strategist in the last 2 decades at (i) evaluating his team's strengths and weaknesses; and (ii) developing and implementing the best scheme based on point 1. His problem is he is way too rigid about deviating from his plan which makes him very vulnerable if someone cracks it.

I'm not sure Bud is the perfect fit but I don't see this as a lateral move.

Perfect assessment. Bud is Monty Williamsesque when it comes to sticking to his game plan regardless of outcome. The perfect coach for the Suns is a Ty Lue who will exploit match ups, tweak and try new things.

My view is Bud is the perfect coach for a team whose direction is unclear. If you're a GM who has assembled some talent but can't figure out how to utilize hire Bud. He'll figure out the best strategy and that will give you a good foundation going forward even if he's probably not the guy to get you the over-the-top. Fans tend to make fun of guys like Monty or Bud but there is real value there.

So I do like Bud but what you said makes sense. I'm not sure Phoenix's problems are things you need Bud for.

[In-N-Out 247]

Haven't the Suns fired 3 coaches in 3 years?

2025: Suns fire Mike Bud

How much are they spending on coaches lol - $10M annually for Bud, $5M+ for Vogel not to coach. Did they owe Monty any money when they fired him?

[Jellybeans]

Who wouldnt take that job with 8 digit salary

[LaLover11]

How much help does Booker need

[KGtabake]

Great regular season coach.
The problem is they need a great playoffs coach.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Who wouldnt take that job with 8 digit salary

Anyone else think "Approaching 8-figures per year" is low?
Spoelstra 8/120m
Kerr 2/35m
Williams 6/78m
Kidd? - Think he was 4/32 but can't find anything new on the extension
Nurse? - $9m per
Pop - $16m per
Doc - 4/40

Sure, he probably doesn't deserve Spoelstra level lifetime contract but he has to be a tier above Kidd and Doc before you consider how desperate of a mess the Suns are in right now.


That said, not a bad overall fit for Bud since the Mavs job is off the market and SAS and Boston are probably pipe dreams for at least another year.

[Archx]

How long until he gets the blame??

A 1 year (expensive) rental?

Matt Ishbia is a wild boy lmao

He wakes up in the morning, fires up his PS5 and plays GM mode in NBA2k for a bit. Then goes to the office and tries to replicate what he did vs AI.

[DonaldSanders]

How does this work with the Bucks? Bud has 1 year, 8 million left on his contract. Do the Bucks get off the hook now that Phoenix hired him?