Newly hired Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer sat down with the team’s media and production staff for an interview that was posted on Monday. In this sit down he spoke on many topics, including Al McCoy’s impact, his father’s coaching impact, the hiring process, and more.
What stood out to me most, however, was tucked away at the end of the interview, where he spoke about what fans can expect from his desired style of play:
“Playing fast and playing random, and the ball moving are things that I believe in.”
This quote alone jumps off the screen. I’ve written and done film sessions and recorded podcasts ad nauseam on this team that needed to get their blender blending offensively. Whenever they’ve been at their best, it’s been the movement of the ball and players in tandem with their pick-and-roll attack, as well as isolation touches.
They lack nothing in the ability to create advantages, but their process in how they’ve gone about doing so — and the habits in process, even more — have lacked especially in waning moments. Having organization generally, but especially an identity in habits to fall back on when adversity hits and the stakes rise — especially in the clutch — should all be emphasized.
That, in addition to the three-point shooting remarks he emphasized during his inaugural press conference — in not wanting to take away from Booker and Durant from the midrange, but rather add to what they already do so well — is appropriate in assessing. It was good to hear that coach Budenholzer has these things prioritized in building his system and establishing his principles, through the work.
Additionally, he capped with speaking to the defensive side:
“And really, probably most importantly, is have a defensive identity. Be a team that really competes on the defensive end and knows it’s important to us.”
I reserve thoughts that the roster as presently constructed does not align with this particular desire of his — as there’s just a middling ceiling and expectation on returns in effectiveness that they can reach.
Conversations have likely already taken place regarding how they can navigate the second tax apron restrictions, to ultimately both optimize the Big Three as well as insulate them with ancillary pieces that fit, as well as pieces that can uphold Budenholzers principles.
