A quieter press conference but maybe a louder message from Jordan Ott

Maybe this is what a real culture shift in Phoenix actually looks like.

The Phoenix Suns introduced their new head coach, Jordan Ott, on Tuesday, and with that, marked an inflection point for a franchise in search of direction. Sitting beside general manager Brian Gregory, the 40-year-old Ott took questions from the media with a calm clarity, representing not just a younger voice, but a modern mind tasked with reshaping the identity of this team.

Trust, of course, isn’t built in a press conference. And while words at the podium don’t guarantee wins, being present at the Verizon 5G Performance Center, you could feel it. Something is shifting. A subtle but meaningful energy. Ott was poised, thoughtful, and direct. His focus on maximizing the opportunity ahead was apparent, not performative.

Yes, these press events often leave more questions than answers, but there’s a quiet optimism brewing. Perhaps not a seismic shift, but a strategic one. A sense that the Suns may finally be turning a corner, at least in terms of process and philosophy.

The biggest question now becomes: how?

How will Ott, with this fresh start, scheme and structure a team that has too often fallen short of its potential? Frank Vogel brought toughness and a defensive ethos. Mike Budenholzer arrived with a belief in volume threes and spacing. Both lasted just a year.

Ott’s philosophy? It centers around possession. Valuing each one, understanding its leverage, and building identity through intentionality.

When asked about his offensive a defensive philosophies, Ott responded, “Offensively, playing faster. I think a way to look at it is playing earlier in the clock. We know the efficiency of offensive possessions start high and they drop. How often can we get a good look early in the possession? So we’re going to play fast. We’re going to move, and you know the cutting piece is important.”

One of the issues that plagued the Suns in recent seasons was offensive stagnation. Under Budenholzer’s brief tenure, the system was built around precision and spacing. Players moving to specific spots on the floor, designed to create lanes and open looks. But the challenge came once they got there. They’d run to their marks…and stay.

The offense too often froze. The movement off the ball stalled. Back cuts were rare. Off-ball screens were scarce. What should’ve felt like motion became isolation. Too much watching. Not enough acting.

A simple recognition of this flaw and a commitment to reintroducing dynamic movement into the offense would be a meaningful first step toward evolution.

“We’re going to move bodies,” Ott continued, “and then we’re going to find ways to get extra possessions. So we’re going to crash. We know how important it is to win the possession game. “

“Defensively, I want to play aggressive,” Ott stated. “We see it in the playoffs. We see exactly two teams that are at the end of the day in the Finals.”

Yeah, some defense would be nice. The Suns were an outright joke on that side of the ball last season, finishing 27th in defensive rating at 117.7. For a team with championship aspirations, that’s embarrassing. It’s one thing to struggle offensively when shots aren’t falling, but when you can’t stop anyone either, you’ve got no margin for error.

“And then we’re going to communicate,” Ott added. “Offenses are becoming more conceptual in how we communicate. At the end of the day, defense needs effort. All-out effort all the time. And then we’re going to have to be connected. Through the 48 minutes, there’s going to be some type of adversity. Can we stay connected to move past that and be more connected for a longer period of time than the other team, and the last piece,e and I’ve already hit on a little bit is we’re going to do it collaboratively.”

Communication was one of the Suns’ biggest downfalls last season. Devin Booker brought it up regularly in postgame interviews — whether it was on missed switches, blown coverages, or late-game breakdowns. And it showed.

I like what I’m hearing so far. I do. Time will ultimately tell whether the Phoenix Suns can execute Jordan Ott’s vision. And, to be fair, we don’t even know who the Phoenix Suns are going to be yet. But if this is the vision — movement, connectivity, purpose — it’s a step in the right direction. And more importantly, it’s a step away from what we’ve all had to stomach these past two seasons.

With Royce O’Neale, Oso Ighodaro, and Ryan Dunn watching from the sidelines, Ott repeatedly emphasized the importance of building real relationships with his players; of forging trust before forging game plans.

“It has always been about the players,” Ott stated. “It’s incredibly tough what you do. You’re in the toughest environment in the world, in the NBA. I hope I made you better because I know you made me better.”

Again, actions speak louder than words, and only time will reveal whether this was the right decision. Personally, I’m jaded. After what we’ve endured the past two summers, it’s hard to get excited about another head coaching hire. But something about this feels different.

After the press conference, Ott lingered. He took extra questions, chatted casually, and presented himself in a way that felt…human. Relatable. I introduced myself and shook his hand. He looked me square in the eye. And you know what? Bud never did that. There’s something to be said for that kind of presence.

Maybe success next season won’t be measured in wins and losses. It’s going to be an uphill climb, no doubt. But to make that climb, you first need stable footing. And maybe the Suns are laying that foundation right now.

---

Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.

Please subscribe, rate, and review.