Paul Pierce: Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant is a 'coach killer'

One other spring is upon us, and the Phoenix Suns have fired one other head coach — this time earlier than the rabbit goes hopping.

After going 36-46 and lacking the playoffs for the primary time in 5 years, Phoenix fired head coach Mike Budenholzer on Monday, which got here only one 12 months after it fired Frank Vogel following only one season on the job. Moreover, Vogel was employed after the Suns fired Monty Williams following the 2023 playoffs, Kevin Durant’s first playoff run with the franchise.

Given the Suns’ continuous head-coaching adjustments, has Durant turn into a “coach killer?”

“I hate to say it and never in a unfavourable manner, however he actually is [a coach killer],” Paul Pierce stated of Durant on Monday’s version of “Converse.” “However that is what comes with guys like KD as a result of when you’ve a man of KD’s caliber like him and LeBron [James], expectations include them, in order a coach, for those who do not fulfill these expectations, you are all the time on the recent seat. And that is why you have seen so many alternative coaches for LeBron and in addition KD, however there are only some guys you could put in that class, and people two are the fellows. He is positively a coach killer.”

“Expectations come, and rightfully so, due to who KD is to the place if they do not carry out at a sure degree, then they’re bringing any person else in. It simply is what it’s.”

Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, four-time scoring champion and 11-time All-NBA honoree, averaged 26.6 factors per sport this season, whereas taking pictures 52.7/43.0/83.9 in what was his seventeenth 12 months within the sport.

The Suns acquired Durant from the Brooklyn Nets earlier than the 2023 NBA commerce deadline in what was one of many largest strikes in league historical past. Phoenix despatched out forwards Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder, 4 unprotected first-round picks and a first-round decide swap in what grew to become a four-team commerce. For perspective, the Nets traded Bridges to the New York Knicks for 4 unprotected first-round picks and 5 first-rounders whole, amongst different belongings, 16 months later.

The Suns proceeded to lose within the semifinal spherical of the Western Convention playoffs, fired Williams after which fired Vogel after being swept within the first spherical of the 2024 playoffs. Budenholzer (Milwaukee Bucks in 2021) and Vogel (Los Angeles Lakers in 2020) every received NBA championships as head coaches previous to taking on the Suns.

Earlier than arriving in Phoenix, the Nets had 4 completely different head coaches with Durant: Kenny Atkinson, Steve Nash and Jacque Vaughn (twice). Durant by no means performed for Atkinson, who was fired through the 2019-20 season in what was Durant’s first season in Brooklyn, however noticed him not play attributable to restoration from a torn Achilles tendon suffered within the 2019 NBA Finals.

Previous to Durant’s three-year stint with the Golden State Warriors (2016-17 to 2018-19), who had and nonetheless have Steve Kerr as their head coach, the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder had three head coaches with Durant: P.J. Carlesimo, Scott Brooks and Billy Donovan.

Durant, who shall be 37 at first of the 2025-26 NBA season, is getting into the ultimate season of a four-year, $194 million deal. The Suns are reportedly anticipated to take heed to commerce presents for the longer term Corridor of Famer this coming offseason.

Durant is eighth in NBA/ABA historical past with 30,571 profession factors.

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