PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have landed on its new head coach in Jordan Ott. The seven-year assistant has been a part of three franchises in the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Ott has learned under elite NBA coaches, who might’ve learned just as much from him. Former Lakers head coach and current Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham had high praise about Ott when talking with The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin, highlighting his creativity.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Apr 2, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham follows the action against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Ham on what Ott will bring to Suns:
“[Ott] riding shotgun with me and sort of my special teams coach, helping me with special situations, helping me with overall offensive and defensive concepts that we were trying to implement,” Ham said. “We didn’t win a championship, but we had a great amount of success in that situation. There’s no one more deserving, man. He’s a humble kid, tough, smart.”
Feb 25, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jordan Ott against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ham praised Ott’s ability to stay with the trends of coaching and playstyles in the NBA. Ott is “well equipped” with player development, programs, Xs and Os, and all the intangibles required to be head coach, according to Ham. The Suns needed their next head coach to represent the Valley to the best of his ability, and if what Ham states translates to Phoenix, the franchise might’ve found its man.
Ott’s “calmness” and “steadiness” is what likely separated him from the 15 other candidates that were interviewed for the job. The month-long coaching search saw multiple round of interviews, both online and in-person that had assistants from around the league flocking to earn their first head coaching job.
Aug 12, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Brooklyn Nets Summer League head coach Jordan Ott reacts during a game against the Washington Wizards at Cox Pavillion. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Phoenix is set to go through a massive shift in its personnel this offseason, but Ham believes Ott will be ready for the challenge. Ham has seen Ott’s ability to connect with players struggling to get to the league and max players all believing in his message to compete. Suns wanted a first-time head coach to take the reigns of the organization, and if Ott’s success under Ham continues in Phoenix, it could lead to a resurgence of the franchise as a whole.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
