Three Takeaways From Frank Vogel's Introductory Press Conference
PHOENIX -- The Frank Vogel era of the Phoenix Suns is jus a few hours into his official start, and there was a different sort of energy in the arena as James Jones joined his new head coach on stage for an introductory press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
The nearly 30 minute press conference featured both Jones and Vogel discussing their ideas and future in Phoenix, with fans in the Valley hoping their first franchise championship will be coming soon.
After listening to Vogel speak, here's our three biggest takeaways from his introductory press conference:
1. Yes, it's still championship or bust here in Phoenix
Don't let a new head coach fool you - there's absolutely expectations to win a title next season, even with Vogel at the helm.
"Hell yeah," said Vogel when asked if he embraced the championship or bust mentality.
"I've been with teams where we're going to take the long road and that can be fun, that journey can be fun. But I love the mindset that we're going to go after right away with all we have. I don't give a damn about what the outside narrative is around expectations or whatnot. I care about what our expectations are, and our expectations are to go for it this year and hopefully every year that I'm here.
"I know what it's like to be a fan and wants to taste that championship. I'm just thrilled with the opportunity to be the coach that leads this team to its first."
Vogel led the Lakers to a title during his first year at the helm in 2020, and there's hope he can replicate that success here.
2. Deandre Ayton could be key building block
Ayton has found his name more associated with the trade block than being labeled a building block, but Vogel didn't mince words when speaking on Ayton and what he can bring to the table.
"I think he can be one of the best centers in the league," said Vogel.
"I think he's shown that at times throughout his career, and I know he showed that when we played him in the playoffs a couple years back and he shot about 80% from the field and deterred every drive, every cut, every effort to attack the basket. He can be a big time deterrent. There's still areas that he can grow offensively. But I'm intent on really connecting with him and restoring him to an all star level player."
Vogel also mentioned that Ayton would be an integral part of his notoriously tough defensive scheme.
"I think it starts with the big fella. I've always had elite rim protectors, and you can get the job done without that, but boy when you got a guy like that in front of the basket deterring everything that comes to the rim. You just get stronger in everything," he said.
Ayton's future is still TBD in Phoenix, but it's clear that if he does stay, Vogel already has plans on how to maximize him.
3. Grit isn't asked, it's required
Vogel - like we previously alluded to - is notorious for his tough defense. Toughness is something Phoenix's new head coach won't ask, but more so require.
"This is the beginning of a new era in Phoenix Suns basketball and it's going to be an exciting one. We are committed to bringing in championship level talent. I will be committed to bringing a championship level culture both on and off the court. A culture centered around hard work, toughness, intelligence, teamwork, and when we get out there and play we're gonna be scrappy as hell," said Vogel.
"We're gonna have talent out there. But we're gonna be a scrappy team that plays harder than our opponent every night. We're going to be a team that makes this community very proud."
When asked how he plans to blend the toughness with the elite talent, Vogel said he and his staff with lay the foundation from day one:
"I think it starts with the work. When we get after it in practice and training camp, I think we set the tone very early on of what's expected of really how we coach practice, how we coach our film sessions," Vogel said.
"But our guys are going to hear that the number one habit that we develop all year is that we have to play harder and tougher and with more hustle than our opponents every night. Because if you develop that habit over 82 games, immediately come playoff time when every team is trying to ratchet it up, it's already going to be there for us. It's just something that's going to be a way of life for us from the beginning of training camp all the way to playoffs."
For so long, people clamored that the Suns - under Monty Williams - weren't able to showcase the needed brand of playoff basketball required to win a championship.
Vogel plans on changing that.
