Many people believe that Frank Vogel inherited a great opportunity after being hired as coach of the Phoenix Suns.
But not Fox Sports’ Jason McIntyre.
McIntyre, co-host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, was filling in for Cowherd when news broke of Vogel’s hiring to replace Monty Williams in Phoenix on Friday.
He made waves with his take on the rental and the situation Vogel had with the Suns, who advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals this season and have a star duo of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
His opinion ?
Vogel enters a “toxic situation” becoming the coach of the Suns.
McIntyre explained, “I’m a big Frank Vogel guy. Everyone says good things about him. A defensive guy. But, he’s going into a really toxic situation in Phoenix. And I know toxic is a strong word. …
“Two things that jump out at you. No. 1. Kevin Durant… I can’t forget Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving saying ‘who needs a coach? We don’t need a coach, we can just roll the ball and play. Kevin Durant, I respect talent, top 15 player of all time, no doubt, you need a coach, it’s undeniable…
“It’s tough for Frank Vogel. … Vogel loves his rim protectors. When he had that Laker team, they had JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard and Anthony Davis protecting the rim. Right now it’s Deandre Ayton, Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo, I think? I don’t know if that’s going to cut it and I don’t know if you can really move Ayton now.
“So this is going to get interesting and I wonder if this ends, or maybe begins, Kyrie Irving’s journey to Phoenix.”
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Social media criticized McIntyre for his take, with Kevin Ray, a Suns broadcaster, among them:
He tweeted: “Toxic? You know the definition of Toxic, right?! Please highlight Toxicity that exists? Missing pieces, lack of quality depth maybe, but Toxic? Come on man. words matter.”
Others were also not thrilled with McIntyre’s “toxic” take on the Suns:
It was definitely a catch.
Moore: Frank Vogel is a safe, obvious and smart hire as the new Phoenix Suns coach
Contact Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Frank Vogel in ‘toxic situation’ as new Phoenix Suns coach, host says