“Getting mad at your star for being a leader”: Fans poke fun as the Phoenix Suns’ head coach asks Devin Booker to ‘tone it down’

Being a great pep talker, especially during team huddles, is essential to a team—especially if the one who is doing the pep talk is the leader. But, in the Phoenix Suns' case, the leader is being asked to tone down his inspirational talks.

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns' iconic guard and team leader, was asked by their head coach, Mike Budenholzer, to tone down all of his talking on and off the court, shocking Devin Booker and his teammates. (via X/@BleacherReport)

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Fans Funny Reactions with the Mike Budenholzer and Devin Booker Drama

Because of Mike Budenholzer's surprising move against Devin Booker's pep talks in-game and off-game, Phoenix Suns fans poked fun at the Suns' head coach, saying that Mike Budenholzer is getting mad at Devin Booker when DBook is trying to lead and inspire his teammates. (via X/@MANOMAGIC)

"Coach told him “stop being a leader” lmaooooo!" - a Phoenix Suns fan remarked (via X/@kvngdkn)

Other Phoenix Suns fans were also shocked about Mike Budenholzer's move against Devin Booker, saying that if DBook suddenly became less energetic during games, the reason is Mike Budenholzer's "tone it down" comment to Devin Booker. (via X/@10K_Takes1)

Some Phoenix Suns fans are hilariously betting who will leave Phoenix Suns first—is it Kevin Durant OR Devin Booker?

"And so it begins. who moves first this off season? KD? Book? Both?" - another Phoenix Suns fan asked (via X/@RainManHa11)

NBA fans also jumped in the conversation, saying that what Mike Budenholzer did is too petty, jokingly pointing out that the team is a mess because their head coach is also a mess as an effective coach and mentor.

"Too vocal? This team is a MESS." - an NBA fan commented (via X/@JeremyKamali)

Some NBA fans also trolled Mike Budenholzer, saying that he ruined the team's chemistry more by giving Devin Booker "the talk"!

"Sounds like an easy way to lose chemistry with your players — oh right, the suns are 2-10 in their last 12 lol." - another NBA fan replied (via X/@TerrxbleT)

And lastly, because of Mike Budenholzer's recent "talk" with Devin Booker, fans are roasting the Phoenix Suns' head coach, saying that he will be looking for another job come summer!

"Budenholzer gonna be looking for another job this summer!" - another NBA fan added (via X/@tyler11williams)

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To pep talk or not to pep talk: The Phoenix Suns' Record this season

It seems that Devin Booker knows how bad this season is for their team; that's why he's giving too many pep talks during team huddles and even during games.

Sitting at the 11th position in the Western Conference with 28 wins and 32 losses and having 2 wins and 10 losses in their last 12 games, the Phoenix Suns really need those inspiring pep talks from DBook and to bring back their team chemistry that led them to the 2021 NBA Finals.

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Being vocal if you're the team leader is a great way to lift the spirits of your teammates, especially if the team badly needs the positivity and pep talk during crucial games. So for someone to reprimand their leader to "tone it down" is somewhat not a good look for the team, especially if that leader is hell-bent on winning the games, whatever it takes.