Vogel, Suns Not Concerned With Rocky Start

The Phoenix Suns' season appeared to be dead in the dirt as recently as two weeks ago. 

Today, they sit just a game outside of the five seed in the Western Conference. In the near future are games against two teams Phoenix trails in the standings as the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks await in the coming days. 

The slow start to the season hasn't changed the approach of the team - it's actually made the team stronger moving forward. 

ESPN's Brian Windhorst shared an outside perspective of how head coach Frank Vogel and co. have dealt with the adversity.

Windhorst began the expository on Vogel by reminiscing on the day he was hired by the Lakers - a tumultuous time in which Magic Johnson went after the franchise's management on national television along with reports surfacing that Vogel was L.A.'s third choice for the vacant head coach position. 

There was never a sense that Vogel was bothered by the noise surrounding the franchise and the hefty expectations that came with being the head coach of one of the most storied franchises in professional sports.

"Not once did Vogel show a hint of being bothered, instead referring to his notes about his plan for creating a defense-first team and insisting he would help build a winning team. He approached the job largely the same way -- low-key and high-will. He stayed mellow and constructed a defense that was the best in the league," wrote Windhorst. 

"Things were not fine for the Lakers at the start. But Vogel was convinced they would be in time."

Vogel eventually led the Lakers - a star-studded team headlined by LeBron James and Anthony Davis - to their 17th NBA championship in 2020. He remained stoic when accepting the Larry O'Brien Trophy months after the Lakers' victory, simply saying "We have a PhD in adversity."

Windhorst sees various parallels between this year's Suns and the 2020 Lakers that won the title - untimely injuries that led to failures in building continuity, potential disconnect between players and coaches, poor performances in closing out games, etc. 

The ugly 138-111 loss to the L.A. Clippers just ten days ago may have been the turning point in the season.

"We're remaining confident," Vogel said Jan. 8 following the Clippers game, without a hint of doubt about a team where things were once again not fine. 

"It's a long season. It's going to take time."

This unabashed stoicism and confidence have seeped down to every level of the team, Windhorst added:

The Suns spent the off days in Los Angeles, largely working on their craft and truly reflecting Vogel's approach while providing a testament to the team's desire to work through the various issues that have plagued Phoenix.

"After the loss to the Clippers, the Suns had two off days in L.A. and they spent them working: the coaches meeting and players working on film and practicing. They returned and throttled the Lakers 127-109 for perhaps their most complete game of the season as Beal looked spry with 37 points, his season high. The team's mood was electric, an indication of their intent," Windhorst wrote.

Suns star guard Devin Booker echoed the same sentiment in an interview after dismantling the Lakers three days after the loss to the Clippers, saying:

"We're not trying to be too worried about who we're playing against and [are focused on] working on ourselves. ... We have a lot to work on."

Windhorst goes on to mention that there is a sense the Suns are beginning to turn a corner, including mentioning the five-man lineup of Booker-Allen-Gordon-Durant-Nurkic rates as the top unit from a defensive rating perspective, providing a true reflection on what Vogel can do as a coach when there's some semblance of stability in place. 

"Coach has a good grasp of who we are as a team," Durant said. "We just keep grinding, man. Come back to work the next day. Keep figuring it out."

Windhorst closed his piece with one last ringing endorsement of Vogel:

"At a glance, the Suns might still appear underwhelming considering their talent and championship expectations. There's no question they're fragile -- sitting eighth in the Western Conference. And with no proven depth to help withstand injuries to the Big Three, there is no guarantee it's going to ultimately lead to the title the franchise has chased for decades," he wrote.

"But looking at just the surface might be a mistake. Real progress is starting to take place and the group still has next to no appreciable time truly working as a unit. And Durant, Booker and Beal have the unshakable faith of their coach."

Vogel reflected that faith right back at his players.

"I trust these guys," he said. "We have a roster that can win."

Vogel was hired by Phoenix largely for his ability to connect with star players - he remains close to former Pacers G Paul George and reportedly got along with James/Davis during their tenure in Los Angeles. 

It seems as if he's won the respect of the Suns' star trio as well, and his defensive philosophies have a chance to pay off as continuity is built by the game.

At the end of the day, there are many holes on the roster that need to be filled and the machine hasn't yet become well-oiled, but the signs are there that this team could be a sleeping giant just waiting in the wings to strike.

And Vogel's unwavering faith in his team is at the forefront of that - or so it seems.