Vogel is officially unveiled at the Sun! Has spoken to Durant Booker to help Ayton get into the ranks of the best centers
On June 7, Beijing time, the Suns officially announced Vogel as the team's new coach and held a press conference for him. The 49-year-old Vogel officially made his debut at Phoenix, along with James Jones, the team's president of basketball operations. In the interview, Vogel said that he has communicated with Durant and Booker, and will require all players to be both offensive and defensive, and plan to help Ayton become the best center.
Vogel led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA championship and previously coached the Pacers and Magic. In his 11-year coaching career, Vogel was 431-389 in the regular season and 49-39 in the playoffs. The Suns sacked coach Monty Williams on May 14 and eventually selected Vogel among a number of candidates.
Speaking about the reasons for choosing Vogel, Jones said: "Championship experience, great communicators, excellent on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, coaching young and talented players, as well as experienced, Hall of Famer-level and All-Star players. Vogel meets all of these criteria. ”
Speaking about Monty's decision to fire, Jones said, "Personally, it's a very tough decision, but that's business. For us, it was a necessary choice, and we evaluated it and decided it was time to inject different voices, different visions. It's time to change, so we make tough decisions to change and get better. Jones said that he had communicated with Durant and Booker before hiring Vogel, and both supported the choice.
Vogel himself said: "This is the beginning of a new era in Suns basketball that will be exciting and we will be scrappy. He said he trusts the vision of Suns boss Ishpeare and President Jones and is excited to work with them.
When asked about the Suns' defensive potential, Vogel said all players must be both offensive and defensive. He also revealed that he has communicated with Booker and Durant since he was hired as the head coach of the Suns. Durant also texted himself that he couldn't wait to defend Vogel's system. Vogel called Durant and Booker "crazy scorers," and he also highlighted center Ayton.
Ayton did not perform well in this year's playoffs, being blasted by Jokic. Vogel said he thinks Ayton can be one of the best centers in the NBA, as he demonstrated in the playoffs against the Lakers in 2021. In the first round of the 2021 playoffs against the Lakers, Ayton averaged 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, shooting 79.6% from the field. "He still has room to grow on the offensive end, and I'm going to really connect with him and help him get back to an All-Star level." Vogel said.
Vogel also said that his favorite star growing up was Barkley when he played for the Suns. He wants to help the Suns win a championship. "It will mean the world to me, I know what it's like to be a fan who wants to taste the championship and I'm excited to be the coach of this team and have the opportunity to lead this team to a championship."