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Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott have emerged as the two finalists for the Phoenix Suns' head coaching job. Both candidates will meet with Mat Ishbia, Josh Bartelstein and Brian Gregory later this week. Devin Booker has also been involved in the search process over the past week.

The Suns are searching for a replacement for Mike Budenholzer, who was fired at the end of the season. The Suns will have their fourth head coach in four seasons since Ishbia assumed ownership of the team.

Both Bryant and Ott are currently assistant coaches with the Cleveland Cavaliers under Kenny Atkinson. Bryant was an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz from 2012 until 2020 before joining the New York Knicks in 2020. Ott previously was an assistant coach wit the Atlanta Hawks under Mike Budenohlzer before joining Atkinson with the Brooklyn Nets. Ott also was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers under Darvin Ham. Ott was a video coordinator under Tom Izzo at Michigan State from 2008 until 2013.

Via Shams Charania/ESPN

Since Ott is a Michigan State tie, it would seem to me he's the guy and they're just keeping the other one around to not make it obvious. Either way, this isn't going to move the needle seeing that the problem isn't so much the coach but the player personnel and the owner.

SkyBill40 wrote:Either way, this isn't going to move the needle seeing that the problem isn't so much the coach but the player personnel and the owner.

Their new owner felt the need to scapegoat the coach when everyone knows it was the meddling owner who forced them into the Beal trade. Had to have that star power at all costs. He blatantly forced his own (terrible) opinions upon the front office and then put a ton of energy into claiming he had nothing to do with it after it blew up in his face.


Mat Ishbia is the problem. He needs to learn to let his FO do their jobs or move on and sell. His ego can't accommodate the 2nd option. So, hopefully he can figure out the 1st.

Rek wrote:

SkyBill40 wrote:Either way, this isn't going to move the needle seeing that the problem isn't so much the coach but the player personnel and the owner.

Their new owner felt the need to scapegoat the coach when everyone knows it was the meddling owner who forced them into the Beal trade. Had to have that star power at all costs. He blatantly forced his own (terrible) opinions upon the front office and then put a ton of energy into claiming he had nothing to do with it after it blew up in his face.


Mat Ishbia is the problem. He needs to learn to let his FO do their jobs or move on and sell. His ego can't accommodate the 2nd option. So, hopefully he can figure out the 1st.

Trust me when I say that we fans know precisely who is at fault: Ishbia for being the owner and driver; James Jones for being a pushover and yes man who failed in standing up to the idea.

I don't have any faith in the front office being able to accomplish anything without his meddling. And we need people who can do their job autonomously, without him pushing in and forcing bad moves.