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The Phoenix Suns' recent win against the Houston Rockets has contributed at least a little when it came to quelling concern surrounding the team.
That doesn't mean that questions don't continue to hover over Phoenix's 15-15 record.
Earlier this week, PHNX Suns insider "FLEX From Jersey" made some eyebrow-raising statements.
Flex essentially dismissed a fellow co-hosts suggestion that James Jones should take the fall for the Suns' disappointing start, instead pointing towards coaching as the main culprit.
He then reported that there is a fundamental disconnect between the coaching staff and players, going on to say:
"The move is the coaches. If I'm being honest, I'm saying Frank [Vogel] and Kevin [Young] have to go," he said.
"I will also say this: I've had some interesting conversations and I'm feeling like there's a divide. There's a part of that locker room that sides with Frank, and there's a part of that locker room that sides with Kevin.
"Kevin is a holdover from Monty's [Williams] staff. So I'm telling ya'll there is something fundamentally broken on that bench."
Full clip:
Young was notably retained from Williams' staff and was made the highest-paid assistant coach in the league by team governor Mat Ishbia.
Young reportedly also has a big fan in the locker room in Devin Booker.
Flex's replacement would be in the air if the Suns did decide to fire the two prominent coaches, though he feels as if it's now necessary for the team to move forward in one piece.
The disconnect isn't necessarily surprising, but it is disappointing.
Young being a holdover from the previous staff with candidacy in several previous head coaching searches made him a threat to Vogel from the start, and the varying philosophies both have could certainly create tension in the locker room.
The disconnect between the coaching staff and roster could also explain the regression on both ends of the court- including a failure to communicate basic rotations and properly box-out on defensive rebounding opportunities.
Should Vogel and/or Young go?
Possibly.
But not at this point.
Vogel very well may have been the wrong coach for this team, operating as a defensive-minded coach who has coached teams with very specific roster builds to success might've been an interesting risk for the Suns.
At the end of the day, the win against the Rockets last night gave Suns fans a glimmer of hope that a Wednesday night contest in Houston could mark a true turning point in a turbulent season - and that the disconnect between staff/players can be remedied.
More must-reads:
- Former NBA player turned podcaster a finalist for Hornets coaching job
- Clippers make key decision regarding Kawhi Leonard's status
- The 'Most points in a playoff game by team' quiz
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