Vogel stated that he has “full support” of Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia.
Losing in the postseason is never fun. Having the level of talent that the Phoenix Suns possess and losing is worse. Being swept out of the First Round? That’s embarrassing, upsetting, and on par for this franchise. Why wouldn’t they be one of the biggest disappointments to ever lace them up? It’s Phoenix, after all.
Mat Ishbia arrived a year ago with hopes that he could change the culture and fortunes of this franchise, and he put his money where his mouth is. He made this team accessible to the fan base, brought in All-Star-level talent, put a championship-level coach at the helm, and hoped that it would be enough to compete for a title. Sadly, they barely even competed. The Minnesota Timberwolves swept them on Sunday night and now he must determine what steps need to be taken to right the wrongs.
Head coach Frank Vogel is one of those who will certainly be on the hot seat, although he does not think so. Prior to the Game 4 loss, he was asked if he’d be around for year two in the Valley of the Sun. “I’ve got full support of Mat Ishbia”.
Frank Vogel said Grayson Allen (ankle) is OUT, and couldn’t get through on testing it entering Game 4.
Vogel also told @DuaneRankin he feels “very” confident with “full support of (Suns owner) Mat Ishbia” to keep his head coach job if Suns lose Game 4 and get swept by T-wolves. pic.twitter.com/zqR1PYR0An
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) April 28, 2024
Shortly after the Suns lost, however, The Atheltic’s Shams Charania and Doug Haller released an article that was a deep dive into the misfortunes of the Phoenix Suns this season. After the April 9 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Vogel ripped into his team for their poor performance. It continued the next day at practice.
From The Atheltic’s Shams Charania and Doug Haller:
The outburst seemed forced and out of character in their eyes. It continued at the next day’s shootaround in Los Angeles, Vogel tearing into the Suns before that night’s road win over the Clippers. Vogel’s eruption left players rolling their eyes, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic. One player even told The Athletic he had to keep from laughing.
It is something we have felt throughout this season, that this team was disconnected and lacked the appropriate leadership to execute success. Either Vogel didn’t know how to coach them or they were too lackadaisical to care. Based on these comments, it appears that Vogel didn’t have the right recipe for winning, the ability to get the best from his team, or even their respect when he displayed frustration.
Fundamentally, this team was broken. In countless areas. Offensive sets, defensive communication, the ability to hold on to the ball, fourth quarter execution. The list goes on and on. The players do not get a pass in this, but it is the coach who is responsible for the schematics and the game planning.
The Atheltic’s piece spoke to the player’s frustration with what we felt nightly: the utter lack of anything outside of a “your turn, my turn” offense:
But Phoenix’s players questioned the coaching staff’s inability to structure the offense and maximize the output of a lineup featuring three of the game’s best scorers, per team sources.
This disdain was visible on the court during their Game 4 loss, as Bradley Beal — who argued with Vogel during Game 3 — brushed aside his hand shake as he exited the game in the third quarter. Is this the sign of someone who believes in the leadership appointed above him? Or a chance encounter that the cameras caught and we are making too big a deal of?
It’s not a good look, that is for certain, especially considering Beal takes the time to dap up the bench unit.
Bradley Beal swats off Vogel’s high five and then proceeds to normally high five the bench pic.twitter.com/4CRjbUjvUq
— 5 Fouls Book (@PrimeDBook) April 29, 2024
So should Vogel feel so comfortable at the helm? And should he be around next season? It’s hard when you add the human factor to the mix, knowing that these types of conversations are about the job someone holds and the family surrounding him. But if you are basing it purely on performance, this season was a massive L for Vogel.
The Phoenix Suns don’t have many outs as they enter Offseason 2024. Their cap sheet is ugly. They are tied to Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause, are beginning Devin Booker’s super-max extension, and have the last year of KD’s deal on the books. Running it back isn’t outside of the realm of possibility.
And then there is Vogel: a man handed the keys to the Ferrari but didn’t know who to drive a stick. The team sputtered and stalled all season long with him at the wheel. And I doubt he even had the thing washed.
The upcoming days will be very telling. We will see if Vogel does indeed have Ishbia’s confidence. Or if the Suns will once again be on the open market for a head coach.
REPORT: Frank Vogel’s job security is in “peril” and could be fired after one season with Suns, per @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/26xpSutlVA
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 28, 2024