The Phoenix Suns had the highest payroll of any team in NBA history this season and despite a stacked starting five, finished as the 11th seed in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record. Suns owner Mat Ishbia took part in a press conference on Thursday and was brutally honest with his thoughts about this season.
“Embarrassing season, right?” Ishbia said. “Disappointing. Awful. I watch every game like all you guys do and no one’s proud of it, no one’s happy with it, from me, to the front office, to the coaches and players, to the marketing executives to the security guards… It was a failure.”
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With a star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Phoenix was expected to have one of the best rosters in the league, but they became arguably the NBA’s worst defense this season. Ishbia noted that they lack substantial grit and defensive determination.
“I want to put a team out there on the court that everyone is proud of,” Ishbia said. “It has to have an identity, an identity similar to Phoenix. Some grit, some determination, some work ethic, some grind, some joy. We just haven’t had that.”
Ishbia seems to have actions behind his words, as Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer was fired just hours after their season-ending loss to the Sacramento Kings. They are now on the hunt for their fourth head coach in four seasons.
“We’ve got to get the next hire right,” Ishbia said. “And we will.”
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
