Devin Booker Gets Brutally Honest About Relationship With Coach Mike Budenholzer
Devin Booker Gets Brutally Honest About Relationship With Coach Mike Budenholzer
The Phoenix Suns currently stand at 28-32 in the Western Conference, a disappointing record considering their significant financial investment in the team. Recent media speculation has suggested potential friction between star player Devin Booker and head coach Mike Budenholzer, but Booker has directly addressed these rumors.
When questioned by reporters about his relationship with Budenholzer, Booker firmly denied any significant issues. He explained that they’ve had multiple conversations, and no particular interaction stands out as problematic. Booker attributed the speculation to the natural tendency for people to “point fingers” when a team underperforms.
“It’s a player-coach relationship,” Booker stated. “We’re on the same page, we’re trying to win, and that’s that.”
The situation deserves context:
- Budenholzer joined the Suns this season after previously winning:
- Two Coach of the Year awards
- 2021 NBA championship with Milwaukee
- The Suns have invested heavily in their roster, with:
- Over $400 million in combined salary and tax
- League-high payroll
- Booker’s coaching history with Phoenix:
- Budenholzer is his seventh head coach since being drafted in 2015
- Demonstrates significant coaching turnover during Booker’s tenure
Despite Booker’s apparent commitment to the organization and coach, Budenholzer’s position may be less secure if results don’t improve. The underperformance relative to financial investment has intensified scrutiny on the team’s leadership and direction in the competitive Western Conference.
The dynamic between star players and coaches often becomes a focal point during challenging seasons, but Booker’s public comments suggest he’s focused on collective improvement rather than internal discord.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
