Suns 2024-2025 Season Discussions

[Mainstreet]

This is not good situation between Mike Budenholzer and Jusuf Nurkic.


By Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic, Published 8:46 p.m. MT Jan. 25, 2025:


Nurkic said he and Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t talk for two months. This is consistent with him saying Budenholzer didn’t inform him about a decision not to play him Jan. 9 against Atlanta.

Nurkic also didn’t see action in the next home game Jan. 11 versus Utah.

“We don’t have a relationship,” Nurkic said. “So, it’s fine. For me, just be a pro and do the best I can. Work and stay ready for whatever might be, but there is no chaos or bringing that to this team. They already have plenty of it. Trying to be as professional as I can and work my ass off for something else.”

Jusuf Nurkic says he and Mike Budenholzer didn't talk for 2 months, addresses Suns future

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic hasn't played since Jan. 7 at Charlotte but was available for Saurday's game.

www.azcentral.com

 

[Hoop Head]

“We don’t have a relationship,” Nurkic said. “So, it’s fine. For me, just be a pro and do the best I can. Work and stay ready for whatever might be, but there is no chaos or bringing that to this team. They already have plenty of it. Trying to be as professional as I can and work my ass off for something else.”

That line has me more concerned than anything else. I know it's obvious but not encouraging to hear from a player.


I have often wondered, as have others, how much control the coaches here have. I think this shines a light there also. Is it JJ or Ishbia? JJ was supposedly a bystander to Sarver's meddling but the meddling carried over to a new owner now. Why not step up for the coaches, and players? That's assuming he's not the one meddling while others receive the blame. Either way, he's a problem. I believer its the latter but both speak to him being a problem.

 

[Mainstreet]

That line has me more concerned than anything else. I know it's obvious but not encouraging to hear from a player.


I have often wondered, as have others, how much control the coaches here have. I think this shines a light there also. Is it JJ or Ishbia? JJ was supposedly a bystander to Sarver's meddling but the meddling carried over to a new owner now. Why not step up for the coaches, and players? That's assuming he's not the one meddling while others receive the blame. Either way, he's a problem. I believer its the latter but both speak to him being a problem.

It sounds a lot like the Jae Crowder situation, but in this case, Nurkic has spoken out about the situation.

It's a shame Nurkic and Bud are not communicating. This makes it even more important for the Suns to add size inside.

 

[AzStevenCal]

That line has me more concerned than anything else. I know it's obvious but not encouraging to hear from a player.


I have often wondered, as have others, how much control the coaches here have. I think this shines a light there also. Is it JJ or Ishbia? JJ was supposedly a bystander to Sarver's meddling but the meddling carried over to a new owner now. Why not step up for the coaches, and players? That's assuming he's not the one meddling while others receive the blame. Either way, he's a problem. I believer its the latter but both speak to him being a problem.

The same line jumped out to me. I don't really know what it means though. This team has played as if they're all strangers so a chemistry issue wouldn't be a shock even though the players keep insisting they all get along great. Until now. Now we have a player saying there's chaos there but if you'd asked me a week ago who I'd point to if there was a chemistry problem, it would be Nurkic. So it will be interesting to see what comes out of that locker room in the days ahead.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

This is not good situation between Mike Budenholzer and Jusuf Nurkic.


By Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic, Published 8:46 p.m. MT Jan. 25, 2025:


Nurkic said he and Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t talk for two months. This is consistent with him saying Budenholzer didn’t inform him about a decision not to play him Jan. 9 against Atlanta.

Nurkic also didn’t see action in the next home game Jan. 11 versus Utah.

“We don’t have a relationship,” Nurkic said. “So, it’s fine. For me, just be a pro and do the best I can. Work and stay ready for whatever might be, but there is no chaos or bringing that to this team. They already have plenty of it. Trying to be as professional as I can and work my ass off for something else.”

Jusuf Nurkic says he and Mike Budenholzer didn't talk for 2 months, addresses Suns future

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic hasn't played since Jan. 7 at Charlotte but was available for Saurday's game.

www.azcentral.com

I just don’t understand coaches not having a speaking relationship with any player.

 

[Phrazbit]

I just don’t understand coaches not having a speaking relationship with any player.

Yeah, do they not have film sessions? Are they not trying to correct mistakes?

 

[clyde2tw]

NBA Trade Rumors: Suns emerge as frontrunners for Bulls' $90 million forward amid Jimmy Butler trade buzz

Despite a trio of All-Star caliber players in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns are nowhere near the top. They are barely above the .

www.sportskeeda.com

Haven't seen this talked about anywhere, is Patrick Williams any good next to KD/Book?

 

[hcsilla]

I see absolutely no point of trading for Patrick Williams. He is a less mobile and effective version of Dunn with njury issues and a huge contract.

 

[Hoop Head]

I see absolutely no point of trading for Patrick Williams. He is a less mobile and effective version of Dunn with njury issues and a huge contract.

I agree. I thought I would be fine with Nurkic for Patrick but I didn't realize he signed an extension for $18 million for the next 4 years, 4th year is a player option. He really doesn't offer much more than Nassir Little did. He had a better collegiate career but honestly he's the same size (6'7" & 215 lbs), with similar athletic ability robbed by persistent injuries.

Their advanced stats are strikingly similar as well, which worries me because JJ likes repeating mistakes.

Patrick Williams vs. Nassir Little: Head-to-Head Stats Comparison | Stathead.com

Compare Players: Check out the head-to-head stats of Patrick Williams and Nassir Little including their awards, honors, championships, playoff and regular season stats, and much more on Stathead.com

stathead.com

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[Proximo]

That line has me more concerned than anything else. I know it's obvious but not encouraging to hear from a player.


I have often wondered, as have others, how much control the coaches here have. I think this shines a light there also. Is it JJ or Ishbia? JJ was supposedly a bystander to Sarver's meddling but the meddling carried over to a new owner now. Why not step up for the coaches, and players? That's assuming he's not the one meddling while others receive the blame. Either way, he's a problem. I believer its the latter but both speak to him being a problem.

You know one thing I have been contemplating lately is why is this years team worse than last years when the roster is clearly superior.

The biggest difference appears to be our defense has gotten much worse this season, the offense though it appeared to be a little different for the first 10 games or so seems to have morphed back to mostly what it was last year.

What this all seems to suggest to me is our coaching is actually worse this year and or the players are tuning them out.

 

[Proximo]

The same line jumped out to me. I don't really know what it means though. This team has played as if they're all strangers so a chemistry issue wouldn't be a shock even though the players keep insisting they all get along great. Until now. Now we have a player saying there's chaos there but if you'd asked me a week ago who I'd point to if there was a chemistry problem, it would be Nurkic. So it will be interesting to see what comes out of that locker room in the days ahead.

Well, the obvious thing one would suspect is there are likely issues with Beal behind the scenes, but who knows there might be more going on, or Nurkic could just be exaggerating and intentionally stirring the pot because he is not happy with the Suns coaches/org right now.

 

[Yuma]

Ryan Dunn just prior to the ankle roll:

The 6-foot-8 rookie out of Virginia averaged 10.5 points and five rebounds on 50% shooting since joining the starting lineup for the last 12 games.

 

[Yuma]

I just don’t understand coaches not having a speaking relationship with any player.

IDK, I worked at a military base and this doesn't sound that far fetched. Hardly any of the soldiers ever talk to the base commander. They have their own supervisors (in this case assistant coaches) that train them and tell them their role in the mission of their unit. I know civilians work at regular jobs and have at least met the boss in smaller companies. I worked for some large corporations and never met the real boss. Even bosses just a couple layers up even. It's not that weird when you really think about it. Some of those corporations I could say the same thing as Nurkic. I know they may not be buddies, but I am willing to bet Bud has met every player in that locker room. Does he have to interact with them every single day. Probably not. Look at all the travel they do, coaches studying game films, etc. They say it's hard to get a regular practice in. I could see in the course of a season where the head coach might not talk to a guy for a month or two, especially if they have been out with an injury and are in with the training staff each day.

 

[Yuma]

I see absolutely no point of trading for Patrick Williams. He is a less mobile and effective version of Dunn with njury issues and a huge contract.

Maybe we could move him easier than Nurkic?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Maybe we could move him easier than Nurkic?

I doubt it, Nurkic is quite easy to move.

 

[Yuma]

I doubt it, Nurkic is quite easy to move.

The only thing that makes ANY sense is we are short on wings. But he doesn't sound like the style of what we need anyway. I think if we can't move Nurkic, he's a viable back up for the remainder of the season. I have been reading it's easier to move guys in the off season. Plus I think he gets to the last year of his contract making it even easier to move him. I wouldn't take on more contract just to move Nurkic unless it's a guy whose skills we really need.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The only thing that makes ANY sense is we are short on wings. But he doesn't sound like the style of what we need anyway. I think if we can't move Nurkic, he's a viable back up for the remainder of the season. I have been reading it's easier to move guys in the off season. Plus I think he gets to the last year of his contract making it even easier to move him. I wouldn't take on more contract just to move Nurkic unless it's a guy whose skills we really need.

I'm sorry, I was messing around with your point by making it about how easily Nurkic gets moved around by our opponents. I'm pretty sure if anyone wanted him at a reasonable price, he'd be elsewhere by now.

 

[Yuma]

I'm sorry, I was messing around with your point by making it about how easily Nurkic gets moved around by our opponents. I'm pretty sure if anyone wanted him at a reasonable price, he'd be elsewhere by now.

The thought occurred to me that you could move him easily by saying the buffet is open!

 

[Ronin]

What we learned: Budenholzer addresses Nurkic 'relationship' comments, Suns top Wizards

Phoenix Suns are two games over .500 for the first time in over a month after defeating Washington on Saturday.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Ronin]

Phoenix Suns showing improvements in January road games

The Phoenix Suns went 3-2 during their five-game Eastern road trip and now are home for three games.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Yuma]

What we learned: Budenholzer addresses Nurkic 'relationship' comments, Suns top Wizards

Phoenix Suns are two games over .500 for the first time in over a month after defeating Washington on Saturday.

sports.yahoo.com

Can we play Washington for the rest of the season?

 

[AzStevenCal]

The thought occurred to me that you could move him easily by saying the buffet is open!

Then he'd have to get past me. I'll admit, every now and then I miss not eating at buffets anymore (a good one, anyway).

 

[Yuma]

Then he'd have to get past me. I'll admit, every now and then I miss not eating at buffets anymore (a good one, anyway).

In Reno they had one at the Atlantis. Tons of seafood. Of course Italian, Mexican, American, etc. Cuisines, and a full up ice cream buffet and also a very large pastry set up as big as some stores. Salad bar was next level. We would take our kids and three of their friends there for all you can eat on their birthdays and watch the kids eat until WE threw up! LOL!

 

[GatorAZ]

People think I’m a JJ defender which I’m not. I just think this failed creation is all Ishbia. However JJ has been here for the all the drama:

Crowder/Monty in 22-23’, Monty/Ayton. same year, KD/Vogel in 23-24’ and Nurkic/Beal/Bud this year. That’s a lot of poor chemistry/nonsense on his watch. I think KD brings uncomfortable vibes wherever he goes and we know Book hasn’t been the same since he got here. Ishbia needs to break up the roster and smoke out his GM because this isn’t going anywhere or ending well.

 

[Ronin]

Suns' Mike Budenholzer reflects on Kevin Durant making 15th All-Star Game

Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer continues to be amazed at Kevin Durant, as he's entering his 15th All-Star Game.

clutchpoints.com