Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver will take part in the NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Phoenix Suns Arena on February 08, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
Robert Sarver, owner of Phoenix Suns, has a complicated history with the franchise’s fan base and was the first to joke about his previous mistakes in the position.
“I finally got it right!” Sarver told Burns & Gambo of Arizona Sports on Monday. “We did a remodel and, gosh, I wish we could have saved about four years there.”
The Suns ended the 2020-21 regular season with a record of 51-21. The second-best brand in the NBA gave Phoenix its first playoff spot in over a decade and the fifth-highest percentage of profits in franchise history.
“I’m excited [about] What we have achieved, ”said Sarver. “Hats off to (head coach) Monty (Williams) and (general manager) James (Jones) and our players.”
The biggest moment in the Rise of the Suns this year was the takeover of All-NBA point guard Chris Paul, who was an All-Star this season and will most likely be All-NBA for the second season in a row.
Sarver went back to the days when the deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder was swapped for Paul. Like many during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarver worked from home with his children.
“They all just looked at me and said, ‘Dad, this is just a slam dunk. You have a chance to get an all-star here who just has to do it, ”said Sarver.
Sarver has been the owner of the franchise since April 2004 and has seen its ups and downs.
He was asked what he learned the most when he was over 15 years at the top.
“I think you learn from experience,” said Sarver. “There’s no substitute for experience in a business you’re in … you learn, so it just boils down to making better decisions.”
Regarding a specific lesson, Sarver said a young team doesn’t necessarily have to have a young coach, which is common in many sports. The Suns hired Williams two offseasons ago and had great success with him.
“Sometimes I got it right and sometimes I got it wrong,” Sarver said of the attitude of GMs and coaches. “Like I said, I am blessed to have James and Monty. The three of us work very well together and they work well together and they are both very good at what they do. “
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