Mat Ishbia is not backing down from critics, especially when it comes to defending his team. The Phoenix Suns owner fired back at The Ringer’s Bill Simmons after the popular NBA analyst predicted the Suns would have the worst defense in the league this season.
Mat Ishbia Fires Back at Bill Simmons
On Tuesday, October 21, Ishbia took to X to clap back at Simmons’ bold take, challenging him directly and even putting money on the line.
“.@BillSimmons, you and your crew have some good takes and some that are terrible,” Ishbia wrote. “You’re the betting guru and even you know better than to actually take this bet. Tell you what, go put your money on this take. When you lose, I will donate the same amount to charity of your choice. Different culture and different team in PHX this year. Let’s go!”
.@BillSimmons, you and your crew have some good takes and some that are terrible. You’re the betting guru and even you know better than to actually take this bet. Tell you what, go put your money on this take. When you lose, I will donate the same amount to charity of your… https://t.co/dCLMUdtbMz
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) October 22, 2025
Ishbia, who has emphasized accountability and culture since taking over in early 2023, clearly believes this Suns team bears little resemblance to last year’s version.
Simmons made a rather harsh assessment of the Suns’ defense. In the Ringer article, the veteran NBA analyst predicted that Phoenix would “have the worst defense in the NBA.” He cited the Suns’ poor effort in transition and lack of consistent rotations as red flags.
According to Simmons, Phoenix’s “hustle was voluntary on most nights and a complete fantasy on others.” He also noted that the team gave up an alarming 68.4% shooting in the restricted area despite trying to protect the paint without a true rim protector.
If we look at the stats, Simmons seems to have a solid take. Last season, the Suns ranked 22nd in defensive rating, allowing 116.2 points per 100 possessions, trailing only the Pelicans and Jazz.
Their defense collapsed late in the year, particularly after center Jusuf Nurkić, their main interior presence, was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in February, but Ishibia is counting on the Suns’ new roster to turn things around on the defensive side.
A New-Look Suns Team Focused on Defense
This year’s Suns are built differently. With Kevin Durant traded to Houston and roster turnover reshaping the lineup, the focus in Phoenix has shifted toward a more athletic, defense-first approach under the new coach, Jordan Ott.
New additions like Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams, and rookie Khaman Maluach bring toughness and versatility across all positions.
Meanwhile, Jordan Goodwin provides tenacity and defensive grit in the backcourt, something the Suns sorely lacked a season ago.
Before his departure, Durant had served as one of the Suns’ better help defenders, often rotating to contest shots and stabilize their half-court defense. But the team’s overall inconsistency and limited depth derailed any hopes of cracking the league’s top 15 in defensive efficiency.
Meanwhile, Phoenix’s past five years have been a roller coaster — four playoff trips and one NBA Finals appearance (2021), but no championship. The team’s 36-46 finish last season marked a major setback and reignited questions about its direction.
Now, Ishbia is betting literally and figuratively that this new version of the Suns will prove doubters wrong.
The Suns open their 2025–26 campaign on October 22 against the Sacramento Kings, marking their first full season without Durant but with renewed defensive energy and depth.
