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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Jordan Ott of the Phoenix Suns stands on the side of the court during the second half of their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on November 04, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Jealousy can creep in when you see your neighbor having success while you struggle.
That is exactly what is happening in Phoenix, Arizona.
While the Arizona Cardinals are going through another horrible season, the Phoenix Suns are thriving. The Suns are 14-11 and find themselves in the NBA playoff picture under first-year head coach Jordan Ott.
Very few expected the Suns to have much success this year, and while there are a lot more games to be played this season, Phoenix looks to be pointed in the right direction under Ott.
The Suns’ surprising start has folks in the Valley of the Sun feeling skeptical about Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon.
Dan Bickley Says Cardinals Need Their Own Ott
During the Wednesday episode of ‘Bickley and Marotta’ on Arizona Sports 98.7, host Dan Bickley essentially called for Gannon’s job.
He did not say those specific words, but it is clear that he wants the Cardinals to bring in a new head coach that resembles Ott. Obviously, if that were to happen, then Gannon would not be brought back for a fourth season.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Gannon!
After about a minute and a half comparing Gannon and Ott, Bickley said Arizona should look for a new head coach that can change the vibes of the organization.
“If I were owner Michael Bidwill, I’d be searching every corner of the sport for the next Jordan Ott,” Bickley said on his daily radio show. “Because the Suns have proven that the right guy can indeed change a culture overnight. Finding him is another matter.”
These are strong words from one of the most prominent Phoenix sports media personalities. Even stronger considering he is offering up these thoughts on the flagship radio station of the Arizona Cardinals.
His viewpoint makes sense, though.
No Cardinals fan is happy with this season. Arizona is 3-10, and the last three times it faced an NFC West opponent, it lost by at least three scores each time.
It appears as though Kyler Murray has played his final game as a Cardinal, and while Jacoby Brissett has shined in some moments, he has also shown why he has been a career backup quarterback.
Any way you slice it, things are not looking good for Jonathan Gannon.
Expectations Impact Perception for the Cardinals and Suns
Unlike the Suns, the Cardinals actually had some expectations entering this season.
Those expectations absolutely factor into how both Gannon and Ott are viewed by Arizona sports fans.
After an 8-9 finish in 2024, there was some hope for the Cardinals entering the 2025 season. Many thought they could finish ahead of the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West and potentially compete for a wild card berth.
Clearly, those predictions were not accurate… to put it kindly.
Meanwhile, the Suns were expected to be a bottom-five team in the Western Conference. Not many even thought they would be in the mix for a play-in spot.
And some of those Suns predictions made sense given their bumpy 2024-25 season and the departure of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
Well, that’s why they play the games, because the Phoenix Suns are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference.
Devin Booker and a well-constructed supporting cast deserve credit for playing winning basketball, and Jordan Ott should get some praise for bringing the best out of this group.
I guess you can see why Arizona Cardinals fans want their own Jordan Ott patrolling the sidelines in Glendale.
Mark Harris Mark Harris is a sportswriter at Heavy. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in sports journalism and has spent the last seven years in sports media. Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with family, hiking, skiing, and watching sports. You can find Mark on Twitter/X at @Harris_Mark7. More about Mark Harris
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