FORMER NBA champion Kendrick Perkins was laughing after an ESPN colleague trashed the Phoenix Suns during live television.
Perkins, 39, fired back at fellow NBA Today analyst Michael Wilbon criticizing the Suns, who signed Mike Budenholzer to a five-year, $50 million contract to be their head coach on Friday.
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Phoenix fired Frank Vogel as head coach after just one season.
The Suns finished with 49 wins during the regular season, but were defeated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
NBA Today host Malika Andrews asked the panel if Budenholzer, who has an NBA title under his belt, could solve Phoenix’s problems and get the team over the hump.
Wilbon didn’t mince words as the Pardon The Interruption star spoke about the Suns’ problems.
“Red Auerbach wouldn’t solve your biggest problems, Phil Jackson wouldn’t solve your biggest problems, Pat Riley wouldn’t solve your biggest problems,” Wilbon said.
“Their list is flawed…fatally flawed!”
Perkins could be heard laughing when Wilbon mentioned legendary NBA coaches during his speech.
Still, Wilbon, 65, highlighted the absence of a leader on Phoenix’s roster, which wouldn’t help any coach’s ability to help the team improve.
Wilbon also thinks the Suns need to trade one of their big three players, consisting of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
“You have to have someone on that team who will manage it and organize it in the most important moments of the game,” Wilbon said.
“They don’t have that.”
Booker, Durant and Beal never seemed to click on the court as Phoenix dealt with injuries to all three stars.
The franchise lacked production at the point guard position and also lacked reliable rim protectors.
The Suns have lost six consecutive playoff games since 2022.
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Budenholzer will be the third Phoenix coach to work under team owner Matt Ishbia, who took control of the club in February 2023.
Bundenholzer, 54, has been named NBA Coach of the Year twice in his career.
NBA Western Conference Playoffs
First round
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) 4-0 New Orleans Pelicans (8)
Los Angeles Clippers (4) 2-4 Dallas Mavericks (5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) 4-0 Phoenix Suns (6)
Denver Nuggets (2) 4-1 Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Conference Semifinals
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) x Dallas Mavericks (5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (2)
His most recent tenure was with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he led the team to the 2021 NBA Championship, coincidentally against the Suns.
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