How will Budenholzer maximize bench?
Mike Budenholzer kept it real during his introductory press conference as the Phoenix Suns’ new head coach on Friday.
The Arizona native and two-time NBA Coach of the Year was emotional as he discussed his time off spent with his family and revitalizing his health away from coaching over the past year.
He spoke bluntly about working with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant, roster construction and how to be more competitive amid championship aspirations.
“Talking about championships, it’s kind of meaningless. At the end of the day, talk is cheap. What you do everyday is powerful,” he said. “As I talk to our players, I talk to our ownership, our front office, everybody, what are we doing everyday to be our best? And that’s what’s gonna give us our best chance to win championships in Phoenix.”
James Jones, the Suns’ president of basketball operations and general manager, was seated next to Budenholzer at Friday’s press conference. Budenholzer replaced Frank Vogel, who was fired earlier this month after one season as head coach. That came after Phoenix was swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Suns had several issues that hampered them this past season, among them a bench that finished 30th in scoring, 29th in 3s made, and 18th in net rating.
Budenholzer said he’ll have input working with Jones and team owner
Mat Ishbia in developing the roster this off-season. That includes possibly adding a true point guard. Booker and Beal, natural shooting guards, were the primary ball handlers initiating the offense this season.
Two of their top reserves Royce O’Neale and Bol Bol have contracts expiring when free agency begins on June 30. Their other bench players Drew Eubanks, Josh Okogie, Eric Gordon, and Damion Lee are on veteran minimum deals and have player options for next year.
“No doubt, it starts with our roster. It starts with Devin and Kevin and Brad, but all throughout the roster, we’ve got to build a team that’s built with