I agree that youth is a contributing factor but keep in mind its Bookers 4th season, he is a max star level player, its TJ's 5th season and Ayton is the #1 pick. We also played Ariza big minutes. He is scoring 5 ppg more since the trade.
If we were on pace to win 30 games I'd agree with the youth excuse 100%.
I think combining youth with poor coaching, or a system that doesn't fit the players we have results in a 16 win season.
If there isn't significant improvement (winning percentage) over the last 20 games, now that we have a servicable PG, I don't see how the suns can roll the dice on being forced to fire Igor midway through next season.
Ariza didn't want to be here since he stepped foot in the facilities. It showed very much on the court with his lackluster and uninspired play.
While both Booker and Warren can be relied upon to give you some consistent scoring, neither are truly in the prime of their career's yet and neither really does the little things that help you win.
Sure Ayton is the #1 pick, but he has some serious required growth to live up to that position.
I have no doubt the system isn't well taylored to the personnel either as players have taken steps backwards under Koko instead of forward movement.
Booker is shooting worse and turning the ball over more, JJ looked very promising to end last season and struggled mightily to perform in the new offense, Ayton doesn't get nearly enough touches in spots where he has much of a chance to do anything with the ball and even Warren when he is playing looks like he really doesn't have a very defined role in the offense either.
This team ultimately has 3-5 problems that it needs to fix. They need more shooters (team is dead last in 3P% in the NBA), need more playmaking as Booker is the only player who can be relied upon in that regard and he is not a natural facilitator, need more rebounding and interior defenders, need 3-5 more solid players in or near their prime years and we need a coach that is going to get them playing to their strengths.
Of course you could argue that if this team had more vets, shooters, interior defense and playmakers than the coach would be looking a whole lot better right now. That is the only issue I have with lumping too much blame on the coach and that is that there is a laundry list of things that this team needs before we even get to the coach, but I do imagine we would be looking at least moderately better right now with a known good coach, but what does that mean 5-7 more wins right now?