On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Phoenix Suns were arguably the most disappointing team in the NBA this season, and they have not been shy about using former head coach Mike Budenholzer as their scapegoat.
Budenholzer was fired on Monday after just one season at the helm in Phoenix. The Suns went 36-46 and missed the playoffs despite having the highest payroll in the NBA.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia discussed the future of the franchise during a press conference on Thursday. He did not mince words when asked about the decision to make another coaching change.
“There’s a lot of reasons why Coach Bud is not here. I’m not going to get into all those reasons, but definitely believe we should’ve won a lot more games and been a lot more competitive during those games as well,” Ishbia said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “Wish him the best, but it was the wrong coach for our organization and for that team and at the end of the day, you can blame me for it because I’m the owner.”
Ishbia said he is the person to blame for hiring the “wrong coach,” but that seemed like a roundabout way of pointing the finger at Budenholzer for the Suns’ struggles this season.
The stance is not surprising. There have been reports that Budenholzer could not coexist with Phoenix’s superstar core of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Booker supposedly had issues with the coach that affected the rest of the team.
Those reports probably leaked from the Suns organization. Though, Budenholzer and Durant also openly butted heads at times this season.
If the Suns decide to stick with Durant, Booker and Beal, they had better enjoy better results next season. Otherwise, it will quickly become obvious that Budenholzer was not the biggest problem in Phoenix.
More must-reads:
- Suns owner Mat Ishbia has strong response to Stephen A. Smith’s insulting claim
- Suns' head-coaching job is a poisoned chalice
- The 'NFL QB rushing TD leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
LeBron James, Steph Curry reveal whether they will play in 2028 Olympics
Team USA Men’s Basketball will have to defend its Olympic gold medal without the help of the elder statesmen. Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry appeared this week on the “Mind the Game” podcast co-hosted by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and retired former NBA MVP Steve Nash. During the episode, the topic of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles came up. James revealed that he will not be playing at the 2028 Games, and Curry then said that he is extremely doubtful to play as well. They may not be planning to play, but there are five players Team USA should consider. “You already know my answer is no,” said James. “I will be watching them in Cabo. I’m done.” “Never say never, but I highly doubt it,” Curry added of his own status. Here is the full clip. James is now 40 and will be 43 by the time the L.A. Olympics roll around. Meanwhile, Curry is not far behind at 37 right now and set to be 40 in 2028. Both superstars have also already paid their dues after leading Team USA to gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics (marking Curry’s first Olympic participation and James’ fourth). To his credit, James has consistently said over the last several months that he does not intend to participate in the 2028 Games. Now Curry is looking like a major doubt for Los Angeles too, which would leave Kevin Durant as potentially the only member of the NBA’s old guard to participate (as he is seemingly open to doing).
Steelers work out two QBs amid Aaron Rodgers injury
With Aaron Rodgers dealing with a left wrist injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers worked out veteran quarterbacks Jason Bean and Tanner Mordecai on Tuesday, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The Steelers currently have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and zero on their practice squad. Backup Mason Rudolph, and third-stringer Will Howard will both move up a spot on the depth chart for at least a week, leaving the Steelers without a third option should either of them get injured. Bean, 26, signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Kansas in 2024. He did not make the 53-man roster, but stuck around on the practice squad for the entire season. He was waived during final roster cuts this year and did not draw practice squad interest from the Colts or any other team. Mordecai is also a 26-year-old who entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2024. Mordecai finished his college career at Wisconsin and signed with the 49ers last spring. He spent the season on San Francisco’s practice squad and was repeatedly cut and re-signed during training camp as the team balanced their other roster needs. He was waived due to injury a final time during roster cuts. The Steelers did not sign Bean or Mordecai, though that could be coming in the next few days as they continue to assess Rodgers’ wrist. They could also work out other available quarterbacks later this week.
Commanders rocked as a young defender’s emergence violently collapses
The Washington Commanders are mercifully at their bye week. This time last year, fans were dreaming of potentially making a postseason run. This time around, it's an entirely different story. There's plenty of blame to be tossed around. That being said, Washington's defense was much-improved from previous weeks against the Miami Dolphins after head coach Dan Quinn took over coordinator duties from Joe Whitt Jr. The Commanders are particularly banking on growth from their long-term building blocks after the change. Some such players, including defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw and cornerback Mike Sainristil (fourth-quarter muffed punt return aside), had positive showings. Others, not so much. Commanders put Quan Martin on notice after underwhelming campaign so far Entering the 2025 season, safety Quan Martin was considered one of the Commanders' top breakout candidates. He came on strong at the end of 2024, solidifying his starting spot and making some big plays during Washington's run to the NFC title game. Notably, he recorded a pick-six in the divisional round win over the Detroit Lions. Martin was expected to be one of Washington's top emerging young pieces. Instead, he has taken a step backwards. The free-agent loss of Jeremy Chinn and the injury to Will Harris have placed a greater burden on the Illinois product, and he's struggled in coverage and tackling. The 2023 second-round pick's issues continued in the NFL's inaugural trip to Madrid, and Martin saw his snap count take a significant hit. The third-year pro was on the field for only 66 percent of the Commanders' defensive plays, way down from his season mark of 92%. Darnell Savage Jr. saw 26 snaps compared to Martin's 37, a troubling sign for the player. Harris could also be set to return after the Commanders' Week 12 bye, so it will be interesting to see how that plays into his role moving forward. Jeremy Reaves has been holding down the fort at strong safety in Harris's absence, and Quinn may want to explore moving one of them to free safety if Martin remains a liability. Either way, it's not looking good for the long-term future of a player the Commanders had high hopes for before the campaign. Martin still has the rest of the season and possibly next year to turn the narrative around, but his playing time can no longer be taken for granted. The message has been sent loud and clear to all underperforming contributors, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Play better, or you won't play.
CFP rankings: SEC in great shape after third reveal
The third College Football Playoff rankings of the 2025 season were released on Tuesday night with Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A M, Georgia and Texas Tech making up the top five. The Bulldogs and Red Raiders each move up one spot with Alabama falling down to 10th after a 23-21 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday. Ole Miss, Oregon, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Alabama round out the top 10. The Big Ten and SEC continue their dominance by claiming eight of the top-10 spots, but the SEC looks to be in the best position of any league with five teams in the top 10, even with Alabama's second loss of the season. Alabama clings to playoff spot as SEC's outlook only grows stronger Here is a look at what the 12-team bracket would look like as of Tuesday: The biggest takeaway from this week's rankings is the position the SEC finds itself in. Texas A M, Georgia and Ole Miss appear to be in excellent shape, while Oklahoma and Alabama still find themselves in the projected field. Texas was the biggest loser, falling seven spots to No. 17 after its loss to Georgia. Even for Alabama, which suffered its second loss on Saturday, it could still find itself in the SEC Championship game depending on how everything plays out over the final two weeks, which could only strengthen its case even more. Miami remains the highest-ranked ACC team at No. 13, ahead of No. 16 Georgia Tech and No. 19 Virginia. With the five highest-ranked conference champions guaranteed to make the 12-team field, Miami would inherit the 11-seed as things currently stand. Following South Florida's loss to Navy, Tulane moves up to No. 24 and the 12th-seed as the highest-ranked Group of Five team. No. 11 BYU would be the first team out following the third reveal. There are two ranked matchups this weekend as No. 8 Oklahoma hosts No. 22 Missouri and No. 15 USC takes on No. 7 Oregon. With only two weeks of regular-season play remaining, time is running out to add quality wins to resumes, something each of these two games will certainly do. Assuming there are no more hiccups, the SEC has a realistic shot at getting five teams in the field. Week 12 presented an opportunity for other teams to move up, but after Texas A M completed its remarkable comeback over South Carolina and with Alabama remaining in the top 10, that does not bode well for the rest of the field.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
