PHOENIX — Because the uninspired finish of final season, one which didn’t embrace the playoffs, the Phoenix Suns, one among 10 NBA groups with out a title, have held three information conferences, all essential, all with completely different themes.
The primary included proprietor Mat Ishbia, and he expressed frustration with the Suns’ efficiency below dismissed coach Mike Budenholzer. Ishbia promised extra involvement from the highest in forming an id primarily based on toughness, and later despatched a letter to his basketball operations employees explaining this in larger element.
The second featured new basic supervisor Brian Gregory, a school basketball lifer who had spent two years with the group, the primary as a advisor, the second as vice chairman of participant programming. Gregory’s message targeted on the significance of alignment, from possession to entrance workplace to move coach.
The third unfolded Tuesday. The Suns launched new head coach Jordan Ott on the group’s follow facility. Ott is the group’s fourth head coach in 4 seasons and arguably an important in a few many years. With the Suns seeking to commerce Kevin Durant and presumably discard Bradley Beal, will probably be Ott’s duty to create a system that brings out one of the best in franchise guard Devin Booker whereas fostering a cohesiveness that in the end determines how deep this reset will go.
Ott, 40, got here off properly. He paid respect to these he’s discovered from all through his 12-year NBA journey. He mentioned he by no means presumed at the present time would come, reaching the highest of his career, he simply saved working. The theme of Ott’s media session wasn’t as simple to establish as Ishbia’s or Gregory’s, however it would possibly carry probably the most weight within the franchise’s route.
Curiosity.
It began within the video room, Ott mentioned, a spot the place he labored lengthy hours in school, on Tom Izzo’s employees at Michigan State (extra on this quickly), then later below Budenholzer (oh, the irony) with the Atlanta Hawks. “I feel part of being within the video room, you must be curious, to study to know that you simply don’t have all of the solutions,’’ Ott mentioned. “I feel I’ve carried that with me.”
The Suns tried championship coaches in Budenholzer and Frank Vogel, each right here and gone after one season. Ott arrives at a very completely different stage of his profession, a starting part, a special persona. Ott got here throughout as assured, not involved about proving anybody proper or unsuitable, simply eager to proceed on the trail he’s on.
He credited Kenny Atkinson, a head coach he labored for with the Brooklyn Nets and final season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, calling him “probably the most curious man in basketball,’’ and a mannequin to observe. “There’s different methods to study in regards to the sport, but additionally greatest practices within the coaching room, greatest practices within the weight room,’’ Ott mentioned. “That’s what I try to do, is to be curious and proceed to study.”
The Suns promised this search can be thorough. It was. Gregory confirmed the Suns began with 15 candidates. To start with, the overall supervisor talked with Phoenix gamers and others across the league in regards to the profile of a profitable head coach. He mentioned suggestions was comparable. Gamers wished somebody who may assist them develop as gamers whereas additionally molding their abilities into group success. They wished requirements, somebody who held them accountable. In addition they wished somebody who cared about them past basketball.
“Substance instructions the room,” a former Suns standout advised Gregory.
Gregory mentioned Ott stood out in each part.
“I’ve earned this chance in order that excites me.”
🗣️ Head Coach Jordan Ott pic.twitter.com/tp9Tp7IDOz
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 10, 2025
This all sounds nice on Day 1, when so many hurdles have but to type. Ott appeared to grasp as a lot. He must construct belief with the roster, which received’t be finalized for weeks. He wants to alter a mentality that’s leaned on star energy as an alternative of toughness. Ott pressured the significance of enjoying early within the shot clock, of crisp offensive motion and of discovering methods to get additional possessions. He summed up his defensive philosophy with three phrases: “All-out effort.”
There’s additionally the alignment half. Final week, Ishbia despatched a letter to his basketball ops employees, praising Gregory’s efficiency after only a few weeks and expressing pleasure about what Ott will deliver. He additionally promised change. Ishbia mentioned for 2 years he ran the “typical NBA proprietor playbook” — hiring specialists, signing checks and getting out of the way in which. It didn’t work. Transferring ahead, he plans to be extra concerned.
“I might be extraordinarily lively within the selections and administration of this group, on and off the ground,’’ Ishbia wrote to his employees in a letter obtained by The Athletic. “Whereas I received’t be reviewing movie, designing offenses, or working the draft room, I might be deeply concerned in guaranteeing that basketball operations, like each different space of our group, is performing on the highest stage.”
Ishbia, Gregory and Ott share a bond. All three have a Michigan State background. Ishbia performed for the Spartans as a walk-on guard. Gregory twice coached on Izzo’s employees. Ott was a graduate assistant and video coordinator. Whereas many have joked about Phoenix’s Michigan State “alignment,” Ott on Tuesday mentioned he didn’t meet Gregory till the Suns visited the Cavs in January. He didn’t meet Ishbia till the ultimate stage of this interview course of.
“I’ll say it like this: I’ve earned the precise to be right here,’’ Ott mentioned. “I’ve spent 20 years working as exhausting as I presumably can to be on this spot. I’ve been round nice individuals — nice coaches, nice gamers — to permit me to develop, put me in powerful spots to see if I can get higher. I’m going to work as exhausting as I can from right here on out and to show I’m right here for the precise causes.”
It is a new begin in Phoenix. Western Convention rivalry most likely will take time, however fast reversals aren’t unusual. Ott identified how far the Indiana Pacers have gone in a brief stretch, how the Cavaliers went from 48 to 64 regular-season wins in a single yr.
“We are able to make that soar, however we’re going to do it in a scientific means,” Ott mentioned. “… To construct this factor out proper.”
(Picture of Jordan Ott: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Pictures)
