Mega•lo•mania:
n. — a highly inflated conception of one’s importance, power, or capabilities, as can be observed in many individuals with mania and paranoid schizophrenia. In the latter, megalomania is often accompanied or preceded by delusions of persecution. (American Psychological Association)
Suns Have Only Mat Ishbia To Blame For Post-Finals Falloff
This week, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his displeasure with “the so-called experts” who projected the team would be title contenders. His comments were in response to an ESPN article that suggests the Suns would be one of the five worst teams in the Western Conference in 2025-26. Though projected to finish with a 30-52 record, Phoenix will have lost just six more games than last season.
I’m not worried about what the so-called experts think. They had us as a title contender the past two years and were wrong then. We’re focused on making our fans proud by playing great as a team and building a brand of basketball that’s tough and gritty. https://t.co/o9ysQlxW6r
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) August 27, 2025
With that in mind, the likelihood of the Suns becoming a better team after trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and replacing him with Jalen Green (plus Dillon Brooks and Khaman Maluach) isn’t necessarily the question that needs to be asked after reading Ishbia’s post. It’s a fascinating one that must and will be answered sooner rather than later. However, the chief query is why does Ishbia seem to believe everyone is the problem but him?
The Sun Sets
Ishbia, the CEO and president of United Wholesale Mortgage, purchased the Suns in 2022. The season prior, Phoenix had made it to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. In 2021, they managed to make it all the way to the NBA Finals before falling to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
Since Ishbia’s takeover?
The Suns have reached the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, been bounced out of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, and failed to make the cut for the 2025 NBA Playoffs. A steady decline of that nature usually speaks to an aging core or a major disruption in the rotation.
In Phoenix’s case, it would seem to be a bit of both given the age of Durant and Bradley Beal. Yet, Durant remains a perennial All-Star, his scoring ability unperturbed by Father Time. Beal’s issues with the Suns weren’t about a decline at all, he just didn’t fit within Phoenix’s Big 3.
Instead, the cause of the Suns setting is Ishbia’s overinflated ego.
Michigan Megalomaniac
Throughout the Michigan native’s life, that level of confidence has shown it can pay off.
In college, he became an NCAA champion because he made Michigan State’s team as a walk-on. Just over a decade after leaving college, he transformed his father’s company into an industry powerhouse. Then he became the owner of an NBA and WNBA team (Suns and Phoenix Mercury).
That takes a lot of gumption. With that being said, his success is to be applauded. However, the megalomaniacal tendencies he’s displayed since taking over the Suns are not.
He’s the common denominator in every decision, as he told the Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin:
“When decisions are made in the organization, (team president of basketball operations and GM) James Jones, myself, (CEO) Josh Bartelstein, (head coach) Frank Vogel, our executive team make decisions.”
So, trading stars Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton was his call. Firing former head coaches Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer was his call. Demoting James Jones from his general manager role was his call. With Durant, Beal and Devin Booker all being multi-time All-Stars, they were inherently a title contender because of their top-end talent. Two of those players are now gone, their stand-ins currently at least a tier below All-Star level.
Ishbia’s zealousness stems from a good place in that he cares about the fan experience and wants to win. Yet, his decision to be so hands-on has been to the detriment of his team. His impatience, the flipping of personnel like he’s playing NBA 2K, undermines his desire to build a championship team. Now they have no stability. They have no foundation.
If he doesn’t look in the mirror, the Suns will probably continue to be eclipsed.
© Allan Henry-Imagn Images
