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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 26: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of game three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 26, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 126-109. ˆNOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. ˆ (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Christian Petersen/Getty Images

NBA Fans Rip Suns for Firing 'Scapegoat' Frank Vogel After 1st-Round Playoff Loss

Paul KasabianMay 9, 2024

The Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Frank Vogel after just one season.

Phoenix entered this season with great expectations after adding ex-Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal to a team that already rostered Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

However, the 49-33 Suns finished just sixth in the Western Conference and fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a first-round playoff sweep.

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In the meantime, fans and analysts believe that the Suns have scapegoated Vogel. Bill Simmons of The Ringer summed it up well.

Given the team's roster construction, it's hard to see how the Suns would have fared better than the deeper teams still in the playoffs unless Phoenix's big three simply dominated and overwhelmed their opponents. But that didn't happen.

Ultimately, it's difficult to win with so much invested into a top trio unless (a) that group is sensational and (b) the remaining starting lineup and bench fares well and complements those players.

The first thing didn't happen, and while some Suns did have good seasons (e.g. Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkić), in hindsight Phoenix didn't have the resources left to truly build a full roster capable of competing with the West's best.

Was Vogel the best coach for this team? Maybe not, but it's hard seeing who could have fared all that much better given the team's situation.

Phoenix will now look for its third head coach in three years after firing head coach Monty Williams last May following the Suns' second-round playoff loss to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets.