As the Phoenix Suns look at 2024-25 as the do-or-die season, they already have some pressing matters to attend to – injuries. And while the Suns have managed to win three out of the four preseason games they have played so far, Bosnian center, Jusuf Nurkic, and Duke alum, Grayson Allen have also missed most of the games due to various health issues. While that alone is concerning, Mat Ishbia might just have to deal with another problem – locker room tension.
Talking about the status of the duo, Mike Budenholzer wasn’t too concerned with providing a diplomatic answer. “Nurk and Grayson, you know Nurk, I think, hasn’t had any contact, hasn’t done any basketball,” he said recently.
Furthermore, Coach Bud pointed out that while the 30-year-old was on top with regard to conditioning, “there’s nothing like playing basketball.” Naturally, the chances of “Nurk” taking kindly to such a remark are less. And he made it clear during the media availability during practice.
“When I came to the camp, he [Budenholzer] was all about his words. I think he believes, from day one, he said, ‘talk is cheap.’ And he put everything on the floor for us. Accountability was something I’m big on. And he stands by those words, no matter who it is,” Nurkic subtly revealed.
When Budenholzer was asked about Jusuf’s comments, primarily being the message he received was that “talk is cheap,” and whether it was his “MO,” the 55-year-old once again had a straight answer. “I think so. I learned it somewhere a long time ago, and it’s kind of been hammered into me,” he admitted.
“Talk is cheap.”
Jusuf Nurkic on message Suns coach Mike Budenholzer gave at start of camp.
“It’s really what we go out and do each day, what we do in practice, what we do in the games. Talking about things and making declarations or saying this and that is meaningless.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/T3m88Ip6II
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 17, 2024
“I probably don’t love doing these scrums. All this talk, and interviews, and the questions. It really doesn’t matter. It’s cheap,” Coach Bud reiterated.
So what does matter? For the 2x NBA COTY, it’s all in the work.
Amid Jusuf Nurkic’s subtle jab, Coach Bud focuses on what truly matters and it’s not just on the court
“It’s really what we go out and do each day. What we do in practice, what we do in the games, talking about things. And making declarations or saying this and that, it really is kind of meaningless,” Budenholzer further added, making his stance clear on the matter.
But it seems that his ideology extends beyond just professional commitments. Talking to reporters, Bud talked about visiting Jusuf Nurkic and his girlfriend, Emina Duric. He pointed out his most enjoyable moments – “Just being on the water, Dalmatian coast, Croatia.” “The summer there is special.” And, “I’m going to tell Nurk, I might be coming back every summer.“
Even amidst the lighthearted conversation, a keen reporter asked what it meant for him as a coach to actually keep his word. And Bud being Bud, used the opportunity to clarify matters further. “If you’re going to say things like that or talk is cheap or talk about building relationships and showing people and players that you care about them, there’s things that you have to do to do,” he explained.
“It can’t just be talk. So if that’s what I have to do to show my care, I’m in for showing Nurk I care about him,” Budenholzer stated, ending it with a smile.
Well, things seem to be calm. On the surface, at least. The Suns have one more preseason game vs the Lakers before they start the regular season against LA. And Jusuf Nurkic, on his availability, said, “If it’s opening night, I’d definitely play.”
Hopefully, he gets the green signal from the medical staff, too.