Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia expressed his frustration and disappointment with the team’s performance in a recent news conference, describing the season as an “embarrassment” and “failure.” The 36-46 record missed the postseason and was marred by poor defense, leading to blowout losses against top teams.
Ishbia blames himself for the team’s lack of identity and passion, stating that he needs to create a cohesive unit with grit, determination, and joy. He has already made one significant change by firing coach Mike Budenholzer, and plans to make more seismic changes to address the team’s struggles.
Despite acknowledging his own role in setting up the team for failure, Ishbia is confident in his ability to outwork everyone else. He emphasizes his commitment to building a winning culture with players like Devin Booker, who he describes as “the franchise player” and has vowed not to trade.
The Suns’ front office personnel also expressed their commitment to finding solutions. CEO Josh Bartelstein and general manager James Jones were in attendance at the news conference, suggesting they will have at least some role in shaping the team’s future.
With a new coach to be hired, Ishbia is ready to focus on winning games rather than just press conferences. He emphasizes that getting the next hire right is crucial to turning around the franchise and bringing success back to Phoenix.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44720540/suns-owner-mat-ishbia-begins-process-franchise-reset