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PHOENIX — Jusuf Nurkic explains exactly how Mike Budenholzer ruined the Suns chemistry with his drinking problem and strange tactics. The aftermath of the Phoenix Suns’ disappointing 2024-25 season has officially erupted into the public eye. In a jaw-dropping podcast appearance that is actively sending shockwaves across the NBA landscape, veteran center Jusuf Nurkic leveled stunning personal and professional allegations against his former head coach, Mike Budenholzer.
As blasted across social media by viral aggregates, fans are reacting in disbelief as Jusuf Nurkic explains exactly how Mike Budenholzer ruined the Suns chemistry in an explosive interview. Speaking on the X&O’s CHAT podcast, the big man laid out a scathing, detailed autopsy of how a championship-caliber team boasting Kevin Durant,Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal collapsed from the inside out.
Apr 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
According to Nurkic, the environment under Budenholzer turned toxic almost immediately upon the team’s arrival at training camp. The veteran coach reportedly established a confrontational dynamic with the entire roster, alienating role players and cornerstone superstars alike.
“He became extremely negative from the very first day of training camp,” Nurkic revealed during his appearance. “Toward everyone. Literally, there was no difference whether it was Booker, me, or someone else… every single practice was: ‘You’re no good. You’d be better off just getting dressed and leaving. You shouldn’t even be playing basketball’.”
The breakdown in basketball logic reached a breaking point during tactical sessions. Nurkic detailed a specific level of system absurdity where Budenholzer attempted to micromanage one of the greatest scoring weapons in the history of the sport.
“He was literally explaining to Kevin Durant how to score a basket,” Nurkic stated. “If he had been telling it to me, or Gordon, or Royce O’Neal or Grayson Allen, whatever, but explaining to Kevin Durant how to score? That’s like explaining to a pilot how to fly a plane. To me and to everyone else, that whole system felt so absurd.”
Sep 30, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) pose for a photo during Media Day at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The friction between the center and the head coach was not an entirely new development. Tensions had bubbled under the surface for months, dating back to January last year when Nurkic was abruptly benched and displaced in the rotation. At the time, Nurkic openly stated that he and Budenholzer possessed “no relationship,” a reality that clearly deteriorated as the season progressed toward its unceremonious conclusion.
However, the latest details shared on the podcast go far beyond standard frustration over playing time. Nurkic claimed that Budenholzer’s personal struggles actively compromised his professional capacity to lead an NBA franchise.
“Then later you find out that the guy really was, I don’t know if this should be said, but an alcoholic, someone who genuinely had a drinking problem,” Nurkic alleged on the podcast. “People knew about it… He would schedule one-on-one meetings just to provoke people.”
With the Phoenix roster experiment now a failure and key pieces already gone by year’s end, these revelations provide a chilling look at one of the most dysfunctional team environments in recent memory. This interview will likely spark intense debate among Suns faithful for some time to come.
Credit:© Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
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Jusuf Nurkic Explains Exactly How Mike Budenholzer Ruined the Suns Chemistry and His Drinking Problem in Explosive Interview
As blasted across social media by viral aggregates, fans are reacting in disbelief as Jusuf Nurkic explains exactly how Mike Budenholzer ruined the Suns chemistry in an explosive interview. Speaking on the X&O’s CHAT podcast, the big man laid out a scathing, detailed autopsy of how a championship-caliber team boasting Kevin Durant,Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal collapsed from the inside out.
“Explaining to Kevin Durant How to Score a Basket”
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Apr 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
According to Nurkic, the environment under Budenholzer turned toxic almost immediately upon the team’s arrival at training camp. The veteran coach reportedly established a confrontational dynamic with the entire roster, alienating role players and cornerstone superstars alike.
“He became extremely negative from the very first day of training camp,” Nurkic revealed during his appearance. “Toward everyone. Literally, there was no difference whether it was Booker, me, or someone else… every single practice was: ‘You’re no good. You’d be better off just getting dressed and leaving. You shouldn’t even be playing basketball’.”
The breakdown in basketball logic reached a breaking point during tactical sessions. Nurkic detailed a specific level of system absurdity where Budenholzer attempted to micromanage one of the greatest scoring weapons in the history of the sport.
“He was literally explaining to Kevin Durant how to score a basket,” Nurkic stated. “If he had been telling it to me, or Gordon, or Royce O’Neal or Grayson Allen, whatever, but explaining to Kevin Durant how to score? That’s like explaining to a pilot how to fly a plane. To me and to everyone else, that whole system felt so absurd.”
Serious Allegations of Locker Room Dysfunction
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Sep 30, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) pose for a photo during Media Day at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The friction between the center and the head coach was not an entirely new development. Tensions had bubbled under the surface for months, dating back to January last year when Nurkic was abruptly benched and displaced in the rotation. At the time, Nurkic openly stated that he and Budenholzer possessed “no relationship,” a reality that clearly deteriorated as the season progressed toward its unceremonious conclusion.
However, the latest details shared on the podcast go far beyond standard frustration over playing time. Nurkic claimed that Budenholzer’s personal struggles actively compromised his professional capacity to lead an NBA franchise.
“Then later you find out that the guy really was, I don’t know if this should be said, but an alcoholic, someone who genuinely had a drinking problem,” Nurkic alleged on the podcast. “People knew about it… He would schedule one-on-one meetings just to provoke people.”
With the Phoenix roster experiment now a failure and key pieces already gone by year’s end, these revelations provide a chilling look at one of the most dysfunctional team environments in recent memory. This interview will likely spark intense debate among Suns faithful for some time to come.
Credit:© Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Continue reading...
