Jordan Ott graduated from Michigan State and served as a graduate assistant under longtime head coach Tom Izzo for two seasons. Suns owner Mat Ishbia played for Izzo during the Spartans’ 2000 championship run and new general manager Brian Gregory was an assistant under Izzo that season.
However, Ott denies that his MSU ties had anything to do with being named Phoenix’s head coach, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic relays.
“So I’ll say it like this,” Ott said during his introductory press conference on Tuesday. “I’ve earned the right to be here. I’ve spent 20 years of working as hard as I possibly can to be here in this spot. I’ve been around great people, great coaches and great players that have allowed me to grow, put me in tough spots to see if I can get better. I know I’ve earned this opportunity. I’m going to work as hard as I can from here on out to prove that I’m here for the right reasons. I’ve earned this opportunity. That excites me. That excites me going forward.”
The Suns interviewed more than 15 candidates for the position and the two finalists were Ott and fellow Cavs assistant Johnnie Bryant. Gregory said Ott was the “clear choice” for the job.
“Jordan Ott stood out in every single stage of that process,” Gregory said, adding “His work ethic is beyond reproach. His basketball knowledge, his forward thinking in terms of offensive schemes and systems, the blueprint for an aggressive defensive style of play fit in perfectly with everything that we’ve been talking about for the last five weeks. His leadership, his ability to develop players, his ability to develop deep relationships with players constantly stood out.”
What isn’t clear is what group of players Ott will be coaching next season. There’s been no indication that the Suns are interesting in a full rebuild, but the cap-strapped team is looking for a reset around Devin Booker. The front office is working with Kevin Durant and his agent, Rich Kleiman, to find a landing spot for Durant as early as this month with the draft approaching.
It’s no secret the Suns would also like to move Bradley Beal and his onerous contract, but Beal has a no-trade clause and would have to agree to waive it if Phoenix can find a trade partner willing to make a deal.
There will be changes to the coaching staff. David Fizdale, one of Mike Budenholzer‘s top assistants this past season, will not be retained, Phoenix radio host John Gambadoro tweets. Former Houston head coach Stephen Silas is under consideration to join Ott’s staff.
Methinks the lady doth protest too much.
I can’t stress enough how bad Brian Gregory was as head coach of Georgia Tech. He was decent at Dayton or wherever he was before Tech & more importantly he was cheap & we were still paying Paul Hewitt, so we gave him a chance. Gregory was the worst basketball coach we’ve had in my lifetime & it’s not like we’ve had a bunch of great coaches. Forget Ott, it’s painfully clear that the only reason Gregory is GM of the Suns is bc he’s friends with the owner. Idk anything about Ott but I guarantee he’s more qualified to be HC for Phoenix than Gregory is to be GM.
“You’re right, I got the job because of nepotism.”
How was he expected to answer that question?
If you need to make this statement… it’s probably not on merit alone. 60-40
The Suns need a PR person badly. These guys should have been prepared for what was coming.
You can’t answer these questions any worse.