The Suns’ 92-105 loss on April 9 to the Clippers saw an uncharacteristically angry Frank Vogel in the locker room. The outburst was so loud that his voice carried out of the locker room. But there was one tiny problem. Well, in hindsight, not so small.

According to The Athletic, league sources said, “Suns players weren’t buying it. The outburst seemed forced and out of character in their eyes. It continued at the next day’s shootaround in LA, Vogel tearing into the Suns before that night’s road win over the Clippers. Vogel’s eruption left players rolling their eyes. One player had to keep from laughing.”

Whoever it was is certainly not laughing now, for sure. The Suns coach seemed to have foreseen the end of the team already. If not by the hands of the Clippers, the Minnesota Timberwolves were sure to rip them apart. And that’s precisely what happened. The first team to make it into the second round, they didn’t give the Suns a chance to breathe as Anthony Edwards and Co. took care of business early.

Talking to the press post-game, Vogel sympathized with Phoenix’s fans. “I want to speak to our fans directly and say, I share your passion. I’m as disappointed as y’all are. I’ll share that with you all.”

The Suns’ owner, Mat Ishbia, spared no expense when he put together a championship-contending team, hoping to get the franchise’s first-ever title. Beal’s injuries kept him off the floor for most of the season. Fans and the NBA world were sure that once the Big 3 got enough time on the floor together, the trio would wreak havoc on opposing teams.

They did show flashes of efficiency, but none significant enough to provide hope. The team spent the entire season in search of something. Or so it seemed. They lacked an identity and consistency, and “not one of the trio emerged as the necessary leader on the floor,“ per what the locker room sources told The Athletic. 

Unfortunately, though, all of it comes back to the coach.

Bradley Beal’s disrespect to Frank Vogel raises eyebrows and questions

Soon after Beal fouled out, he made his way over to the bench. But on the way, his pointed swatting away of Coach Vogel’s hand has gone viral. While many call him out for his blatant disrespect, others are sure this further proves that Vogel’s stay with the franchise is on shaky ground.

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These issues of respect have been around for quite some time. One issue could be that Vogel’s defensive approach to the team’s offensive firepower isn’t working out. But whatever the crux of the issue, it goes without saying that there will be changes. It’s more like there is a need for changes.

With many on guaranteed contracts for the 2024-25 season, Frank Vogel would be the more likely option to be cut off. But when a similar outcry happened earlier, an instant promise of Ishbia 100% behind Vogel was the news. The man in question seems to be focused on what to do to better the team in the coming season. We’ll have to wait and see whether he will be there to implement the changes or not.