PHOENIX — Mike Budenholzer acquired a bit of teary-eyed speaking about his previous in Arizona, describing an idyllic childhood within the small city of Holbrook, about three hours northeast of Phoenix.
These tears dried up in a rush when speaking about his future.
“It is mind-boggling to me, like mind-blowing, to suppose that I’ll be the pinnacle coach of the Phoenix Suns,” Budenholzer stated Friday throughout an introductory information convention in downtown Phoenix.
Budenholzer, 54, replaces Frank Vogel, who was fired Might 9 after one disappointing season. The 2-time NBA Coach of the 12 months might be charged with getting extra out of the workforce’s All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal because the franchise continues to chase a championship.
The group by no means fairly meshed final season below Vogel, ending with a 49-33 document earlier than getting swept by Minnesota within the first spherical of the playoffs.
“I am enthusiastic about working with this roster and these gamers,” Budenholzer stated. “We’ve got nice gamers. And with nice gamers come nice expectations. I believe we embrace that.”
Budenholzer spoke Friday in entrance of some dozen household and buddies, together with his 94-year-old dad, Vince, whom Budenholzer referred to as “the unique coach Bud.” Mike Budenholzer received the 2021 NBA title whereas main the Milwaukee Bucks — a championship that got here on the expense of the Suns.
Phoenix has by no means received a title, advancing to the Finals 3 times in 56 seasons.
Budenholzer was fired by the Bucks in 2023 after 5 seasons and did not coach within the NBA this previous season. He additionally coached the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2018 and has a 484-317 document over 10 seasons.
Earlier than he went to Atlanta, Budenholzer spent 17 years as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs and coach Gregg Popovich.
“This yr, for me, was actually wholesome,” Budenholzer stated. “I form of had a listing of priorities, diving into my children and my household, tremendous essential. We have been by means of loads. So actually, the time with my children was simply superb. My son’s a senior in highschool — going to each considered one of his video games — driving house you are like, ‘Wow, I acquired a present.”
As a lot as he cherished the prospect to recharge, he is able to get again on the court docket.
“I might wish to hold teaching as a lot and so long as I can,” he added.
Along with bringing in Budenholzer, the Suns are closing in on hiring Brooklyn Nets government Matt Tellem to the franchise’s entrance workplace, sources instructed ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on Friday.
The group faces a tough activity in reshaping the Suns’ roster. Phoenix does not have a lot room to maneuver below the league’s wage cap due to the massive contracts for Booker, Durant and Beal. The workforce’s different two projected starters — Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic — are additionally below contract for subsequent season.
The Suns did not have a real level guard final season and struggled with turnovers, significantly within the fourth quarter. Budenholzer made it sound like he’d like so as to add a minimum of one level guard throughout the offseason.
“The conversations have been nice and there is no doubt that we have to take a look at the entire roster and discuss level guard,” Budenholzer stated. “I am certain it is a hot-button situation right here, whether or not it is with the media, gamers or the entrance workplace. We want to consider it.
“We want to have the ability to play with out one. We most likely want to have the ability to have one. We should be versatile — play other ways.”
However earlier than he begins interested by level guards or turnovers, the coach spent a lot of Friday savoring his probability at a dream job.
“The largest message I need you to listen to is that I might coach this workforce if it was on the moon,” Budenholzer stated, grinning. “I might coach this workforce if it was in Alaska. If these gamers had been in Denmark. … I might go wherever to educate this workforce.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
