ESPN’s NBA insiders cite Mike Budenholzer as one of the league’s coaches with high expectations as part of a list of coaches and front office executives who are “feeling the heat” this season.
THE Phoenix Suns hired Budenholzer shortly after firing Frank Vogel following a season that ended with 49 regular-season wins and a first-round playoff exit.
Minnesota swept the sixth-seeded Suns, who were the first team eliminated from the playoffs. Budenholzer, who won an NBA championship as the Suns’ coach, Milwaukee Bucks past Phoenix in the 2021 finals, is back after not coaching last season.
The Bucks fired Budenholzer after the 2022-23 season. A native of Holbrook, Ariz., Budenholzer, 55, has a coaching record of 484-317 over 10 seasons (five in Atlantafive in Milwaukee). His teams reached the playoffs in nine of those 10 seasons.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote: “Coaching the Suns’ roster, loaded with stars and big names, carries with it enormous immediate expectations. Just ask Budenholzer’s predecessor, Frank Vogel, who was fired after his first season in Phoenix ended with a 49-33 record and a first-round sweep.
“Like Vogel, Budenholzer brings to the Suns a head coaching resume that includes an NBA championship and a reputation as one of the league’s best defensive tacticians. He is tasked with harnessing the potential of the Suns’ trio of max-salary players. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker And Bradley Bealwho only played 41 games together last season due to injuries.”
The Suns were 26-15 in those 41 games with their Big 3.
Billy Donovan (Bulls), Kenny Atkinson (Riders), Steve Kerr (Warriors), Ty Lue (Lawnmowers), JJ Redick (Lakers), Taylor Jenkins (Grizzlies), Doc Rivers (Bucks), Mike Brown (Kings) and Budenholzer are the coaches who, according to ESPN, are under the most pressure and face the greatest number of expectations.
As for management, ESPN cited Arturas Karnisovas (Bulls), Calvin Booth (Nuggets), Mike Dunleavy Jr. (Warriors), Lawrence Frank (Clippers) Rob Pelinka (Lakers) Jon Horst (Bucks) and David Griffin (Pelicans) as front office people with the same issues and concerns.
The NBA regular season begins on October 22.
Got an opinion on the current state of the Suns? Contact Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article was originally published on the Arizona Republic: Suns coach Mike Budenholzer faces ‘huge immediate expectations’
