Latest news with #JordanOtt
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The NBA has entered its weak link era
Yahoo Sports AM is our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it every weekday morning. 🚨 Headlines 🥎 Texas wins Game 1: Texas rallied for a 2-1 victory over Texas Tech in Game 1 of the best-of-three Women's College World Series Final, notching the game-winning hit on a failed intentional walk when the pitch flew a little too close to the strike zone. Advertisement 🏀 USA vs. The World: Next season's NBA All-Star Game will indeed feature a "USA vs. The World" format, commissioner Adam Silver confirmed. And it will air on NBC, which will be in the midst of broadcasting another global sporting event: the 2026 Winter Olympics. ⚾️ Rockies sweep Marlins: A day after the Rockies clinched their first series win of the season, they got their first three-game sweep since May of last year. Their record is now a sterling 12-50. Don't let Colorado get hot! ⚽️ Ronaldo nets game winner: Portugal is headed to the UEFA Nations League final thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's game-winning goal in the 68th minute to give his side their first win over Germany since 2000. 🏀 Suns hire new coach: The Suns have found their new head coach, hiring former Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott after interviewing more than 15 potential candidates. 🏀 The new NBA blueprint: No weak links (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports) Most team sports can be categorized as either "strong link" or "weak link" sports. Advertisement In strong link sports, the team with the best player usually wins. In weak link sports, the team without the worst player usually wins. Basketball is widely considered a strong link sport due to the outsized impact one player can have. And for decades, that's how I would have described the NBA. But now? After watching this year's playoffs, I'm convinced the NBA has entered its weak link era. Having the best player in a series has never mattered less. Not having the worst player has never mattered more. From Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor: The deeper we go into the NBA playoffs, the more one truth gets hammered home: If you've got a guy on the floor who can't shoot or defend, he's getting exposed and you're probably getting sent home. But the 3-and-D archetype with the guy who just stands in the corner isn't quite enough anymore. All players on the floor must ideally be able to dribble and make quick decisions. Advertisement That's why the Celtics won the title last year. Sure, they had stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. But they also surrounded them with well-rounded pieces. Even with bench units, there was no obvious weak link. The same blueprint is playing out this season with the Thunder and Pacers facing off in the NBA Finals. No weak links: Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the hub, but OKC's success hinges on the fact that nobody else gums up the system. There's no ball-stopper, no spacer who can't dribble, no defender the Thunder can't trust to ferociously execute a game plan. Even OKC's bigs fit the mold: shooting, facilitating, handling the ball. Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton is Indiana's engine, but the pieces around him are all skilled enough to play with tempo, precision and relentless energy. Consider their historic comebacks: The Pacers never turned to clear-out, hero-ball isolations; in the moments when most teams tighten up, they just keep running their offense. Bottom line: For years, the NBA's top teams assembled "Big Threes," often at the expense of sensible roster-building and depth. OKC and Indiana are the new blueprint: deep and versatile rotations, with systems built on interchangeable skill sets. Everyone is a threat. Advertisement Shoutout: Former Knicks analytics coordinator Owen Phillips wrote about the NBA's weak link era at the start of the playoffs and heavily influenced my view. If you like the NBA and data, I highly recommend signing up for his newsletter, The F5. 🏆 In photos: Oilers take Game 1 Oilers fans pregame. () The Stanley Cup Final rematch got off to a thrilling start on Wednesday in Edmonton, where the Oilers scored the final three goals in a 4-3 (OT) victory. Marchand high fives his teammates. () Brad Marchand gave the Panthers their first lead at 2-1 midway through the first period. His goal was Florida's 50th road goal of the 2025 postseason, a new NHL record. Draisaitl celebrates his game-winner. () Leon Draisaitl, who didn't score in last year's Cup Final, scored the first and last goal of the night. The German forward netted the game-winner in the final minute of overtime off a feed from Connor McDavid. The Stanley Cup on the ice before the start of the game. (Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) Looking ahead: Teams that win Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final have gone on to win the title 76.5% of the time. The Panthers will try to reverse that trend, starting with Game 2 on Friday night. ⚾️ MLB power rankings (Mallory Bielecki/Yahoo Sports) For the first time this season, the Dodgers do not sit atop our MLB power rankings, with the Tigers taking over the top spot. Advertisement Top 5: Tigers (41-22): Detroit is MLB's most complete club, as evidenced by the fact that they are the only team ranked in the top five for both ERA and runs scored. Mets (39-23): The staff is unbelievable (league-best 2.86 ERA), Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso are mashing and Juan Soto is heating up (1.395 OPS over his last six games). Dodgers (37-25): Pitching injuries may prevent them from reaching their full potential, but L.A.'s high-powered offense gives them a chance every night. Yankees (37-23): No Juan Soto, no Gerrit Cole, no problem. It helps that Aaron Judge is doing an awfully good impression of Barry Bonds in the batter's box. Cubs (38-23): The offense remains electric, and their vastly improved bullpen has made them much more formidable in their quest for their first full-season division title since 2017. Full rankings. 📺 Watchlist: Thursday, June 5 (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports) 🏀 NBA Finals, Game 1 | 8:30pm ET on ABC The NBA's grand finale begins tonight in OKC, where the Thunder are massive favorites (-700 at BetMGM) over the Pacers (+500). Only the 2004 Pistons (+500 vs. the Lakers) have ever won the Finals as that big of an underdog. 🥎 WCWS, Game 2 | 8pm, ESPN Will Texas clinch their first national championship, or will Texas Tech force a decisive Game 3? 🎾 French Open, Semifinals | TNT No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on three-time defending champion Iga Świątek (9am) in the first women's semifinal, followed by No. 2 Coco Gauff vs. hometown hero Loïs Boisson (10:10am) in the second. Advertisement More to watch: 🏀 WNBA: Liberty at Mystics (7:30pm, Prime); Valkyries at Mercury (10pm, Prime) … Commissioner's Cup. ⛳️ PGA Tour: Canadian Open (6:45am, ESPN+/3pm, Golf) … Rory McIlroy headlines the field in Toronto. ⚽️ UEFA Nations League: Spain vs. France (3pm, FS1) … Winner takes on Portugal in Sunday's final. Today's full slate. 🏀 NBA Finals trivia (Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) This is the first NBA Finals since 2006 that will be contested between two teams seeking their first championship.* Question: Which two teams matched up in 2006? Answer at the bottom. *The Thunder don't claim the SuperSonics' 1979 title as their own. 👊 Let the body keep the score (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports) Cub Swanson spent nearly two decades as a pro fighter, and he has the scars to prove it, writes Yahoo Sports' Ben Fowlkes. The world sees the highlights. But this is what 20 years in the fight game really looks like — tendons torn, bones broken, and a body that never stops paying the price. Advertisement "I woke up in the middle of the night and I felt like I was going to throw up," said Swanson. "And they had told me, 'If you throw up, well, your jaw is wired, so you might die.' There's nowhere for it to go. You could suffocate, so you've got to cut the wires off." Dive in. Trivia answer: Heat over Mavericks We hope you enjoyed this edition of Yahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Suns hire Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as head coach, AP source says
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns hired Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as their head coach, opting for a young, emerging leader to rebuild a franchise that has regressed over the past few seasons, a person familiar with the search told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the hire hasn't officially been announced.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Phoenix Suns hire Jordan Ott as head coach ahead of key offseason moves
Jordan Ott named new Phoenix Suns head coach Extensive coaching search led by GM Brian Gregory Live Events Suns face roster decisions following coaching hire (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Phoenix Suns have appointed Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as the franchise's next head coach, according to sources familiar with the decision. Ott, who has served as an assistant in the NBA since 2012, replaces Mike Budenholzer following a 36-46 was among two finalists, alongside fellow Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, who met with team owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and general manager Brian Gregory in Michigan earlier this week. Devin Booker, the team's All-Star guard, was reportedly involved in the final stages of the hiring process and supported Ott's read: Cavaliers' Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott finalists for Phoenix Suns coaching vacancy The hire marks the Suns' fourth head coaching change in as many seasons. Ott brings a reputation for tactical innovation on both offense and defense, as well as strong communication skills with players and staff. Team officials cited his adaptability and extensive background in video and analytics as key Suns began their coaching search after firing Budenholzer on April 14 and naming Gregory as general manager on May 1. Gregory led a multiround process that began with more than 15 eight coaches advanced to second-round interviews, and six, including Ott, Bryant, Miami's Chris Quinn, Dallas' Sean Sweeney, Oklahoma City's Dave Bliss, and Suns assistant David Fizdale, participated in in-person meetings last selection reflects alignment between Phoenix ownership and front office leadership, with all parties agreeing on the decision during final deliberations. His NBA coaching experience spans several franchises, including Atlanta (2013–16), Brooklyn (2016–22), the Los Angeles Lakers (2022–24), and Cleveland (2024–25).The Cavaliers, who posted an Eastern Conference-best 64 wins in 2024–25, now lose one of their top assistants. The team ranked first in offensive efficiency and eighth in defensive efficiency this season, according to ESPN read: Phoenix Mercury signs former Duquesne guard Megan McConnell to WNBA roster With the head coaching vacancy filled, the Phoenix Suns will shift focus to roster adjustments ahead of the 2025–26 season. The team is expected to engage with All-Star forward Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman of Boardroom, to evaluate potential trade is expected to draw interest from four to six teams during the offseason. His future, along with that of the broader Suns roster, will be key to the team's direction under Ott's began his coaching career as a video coordinator at Michigan State under Tom Izzo from 2008 to 2013 before transitioning to the NBA. He has worked closely with player development staffs throughout his career, contributing to both veteran leadership and the growth of young read: NBA finals preview: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - key matchups and predictions The Suns enter the offseason aiming to restructure their roster while stabilizing leadership on the bench. Jordan Ott's appointment is expected to bring continuity and a structured development path for a team seeking consistency and long-term improvement.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Phoenix Suns hire Jordan Ott as head coach ahead of key offseason moves
Jordan Ott named new Phoenix Suns head coach Extensive coaching search led by GM Brian Gregory Live Events Suns face roster decisions following coaching hire (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Phoenix Suns have appointed Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as the franchise's next head coach, according to sources familiar with the decision. Ott, who has served as an assistant in the NBA since 2012, replaces Mike Budenholzer following a 36-46 was among two finalists, alongside fellow Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, who met with team owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and general manager Brian Gregory in Michigan earlier this week. Devin Booker, the team's All-Star guard, was reportedly involved in the final stages of the hiring process and supported Ott's read: Cavaliers' Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott finalists for Phoenix Suns coaching vacancy The hire marks the Suns' fourth head coaching change in as many seasons. Ott brings a reputation for tactical innovation on both offense and defense, as well as strong communication skills with players and staff. Team officials cited his adaptability and extensive background in video and analytics as key Suns began their coaching search after firing Budenholzer on April 14 and naming Gregory as general manager on May 1. Gregory led a multiround process that began with more than 15 eight coaches advanced to second-round interviews, and six, including Ott, Bryant, Miami's Chris Quinn, Dallas' Sean Sweeney, Oklahoma City's Dave Bliss, and Suns assistant David Fizdale, participated in in-person meetings last selection reflects alignment between Phoenix ownership and front office leadership, with all parties agreeing on the decision during final deliberations. His NBA coaching experience spans several franchises, including Atlanta (2013–16), Brooklyn (2016–22), the Los Angeles Lakers (2022–24), and Cleveland (2024–25).The Cavaliers, who posted an Eastern Conference-best 64 wins in 2024–25, now lose one of their top assistants. The team ranked first in offensive efficiency and eighth in defensive efficiency this season, according to ESPN read: Phoenix Mercury signs former Duquesne guard Megan McConnell to WNBA roster With the head coaching vacancy filled, the Phoenix Suns will shift focus to roster adjustments ahead of the 2025–26 season. The team is expected to engage with All-Star forward Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman of Boardroom, to evaluate potential trade is expected to draw interest from four to six teams during the offseason. His future, along with that of the broader Suns roster, will be key to the team's direction under Ott's began his coaching career as a video coordinator at Michigan State under Tom Izzo from 2008 to 2013 before transitioning to the NBA. He has worked closely with player development staffs throughout his career, contributing to both veteran leadership and the growth of young read: NBA finals preview: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - key matchups and predictions The Suns enter the offseason aiming to restructure their roster while stabilizing leadership on the bench. Jordan Ott's appointment is expected to bring continuity and a structured development path for a team seeking consistency and long-term improvement.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Suns hiring Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as head coach
The Phoenix Suns have reportedly found their new head coach — their fourth in as many seasons. Jordan Ott, most recently an assistant on the Cleveland Cavaliers, will be hired as the Suns coach, according to ESPN. The network also reported, citing anonymous sources, that Suns star guard Devin Booker was involved in the coaching search and had favored Ott as his top choice. Advertisement The Cavaliers, under coach Kenny Atkinson, posted a 64-18 record this season, best in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland excelled on both sides of the ball, leading the NBA in offensive rating (121.0) and third in net rating (9.2). The Cavaliers embraced spreading the floor and distributing the ball, but also oversaw the rise of forward Evan Mobley as an elite defender, leading to his winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. Ott also served as an assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers (2022-24) under former coach Darvin Ham and the Nets (2016-22) — where Atkinson coached briefly during his time in Brooklyn. Ott also was the video coordinator of the Atlanta Hawks, interestingly, under former Suns coach Mike Budenholzer, whom the Suns fired Monday, April 14. Under Budenholzer, Phoenix struggled to gain traction in the Western Conference. The Suns, who have been led by the trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, finished 36-46, missing out on the play-in window. It marked the first time in four seasons that the franchise missed the playoffs. Jordan Ott Ott be Phoenix's fourth head coach in four seasons. Budenholzer had been Phoenix's third coach in as many seasons — they also fired Monty Williams after the 2022-23 season and Frank Vogel after the 2023-24 campaign. Advertisement Ott will now oversee a team that may be facing some roster overhaul. The Durant-Booker-Beal simply has not yielded satisfactory results, especially considering the salary cap space devoted to the three. The Suns had the highest payroll in the NBA this season, which had the unintended consequence of stripping the team of depth. Team owner Matt Ishbia has been very aggressive about investing money in his team and roster with the aim of bringing a championship to Phoenix. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suns hiring Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as head coach
