Igor Kokoskov will be Suns new head coach

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Here is a nice article on how Kokoskov plans to uses the Suns big men as playmakers.

Though early on in the process, count rookie center Deandre Ayton among those excited about a Kokoskov-led Suns team.

“His playmakers are his big men so the ball really runs through us a lot. Us setting screens and really looking for our guards and talking to our guards, especially on the defensive end is a really big thing for him,” Ayton said.

“He always calls it out. When he’s demonstrating something he always calls my name and says, ‘Deandre you’re the playmaker of the team, this is what you got to do, this is what you got to pay attention to for the day.’”

There is much more at the link below.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1584...plus-the-plan-for-josh-jackson-dragan-bender/
 

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That is good news for Ayton and Bender, not so much for Chriss.
I think Chriss has a better chance of still being on the roster opening than Bender even despite the weird decision to not have Chriss play in summer league.
 

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Really instilling good qualities for this team already.

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I would be in awe if the Suns ball movement looked like this.

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I would be in awe if the Suns ball movement looked like this.

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The Suns cooperated too much... the worst of it being Peters close out on the corner shooter - he had help coming from the left but he gave the shooter space to his (own) right, along the baseline. If he'd sealed the baseline the guy would have been trapped in the corner.
 
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Here are some encouraging comments by Greg Popovich regarding Kokoskov. It's always nice to hear from a respected head coach.

Here is an excerpt from Duane Rankin's article at azcentral:


“Igor’s been coaching for like 90 years,” joked Popovich about Kokoskov, who’s been an NBA assistant dating back to his time with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2000-01. “Everybody thinks he’s some kind of rookie.”

It’s been a rough start for Kokoskov as the Phoenix Suns (2-7) suffered through a seven-game losing skid, but Popovich, the Spurs' longtime head coach, believes there are better days ahead for the Suns with their first-time NBA head coach at the helm.

“It’s just about being at a new program,” Popovich said. “Putting new people together is not easy. It takes a while. They’re going to learn what he’s all about and vice versa and they’ve had a very tough schedule so far. It’s been a difficult start because of that.

“So the future portends well because he knows what he’s doing.”


https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...rs-nick-nurse-opposite-ends-early/1900103002/
 

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Before I start, I want to make clear that I want to give Igor ample time to prove himself. I don't expect too much from this extremely young team. However, here are some major issues that I would love to see him address.

1. The use of Ayton in the high post. I get that Ayton has a good outside shot but seriously, this is ridiculous. First of all, his first few shot attempts are coming from mid range. Why not give him some low post possessions to build confidence and gradually work outside? Second, touches in the post will provide two things: 1) increased comfort and understanding of defensive adjustments and 2) easy offense (boggles my mind that we don't take advantage of his advanced low post skills). Get the guy in the post and feed him.

2. Our overall defensive IQ. It's dreadful. Worse than last year. How could we add two good defenders in Ariza and Bridges and actually look worse? The team is lost on just about every level. They have absolutely NO IDEA how to rebound. They show very little pride and hunger to shut teams down. I don't see the communication on switches. They are susceptible to back door passes. I'm not kidding when I say this, I've seen high school teams with better defensive IQ than this team. Yes, the team is young, but c'mon. These errors would get a high school kid benched let alone an NBA player. This rests firmly on Igor's shoulders. This just looks like a poorly coached team on D with very little accountability.

3. This one goes along with #1, Igor needs to adjust the overall game plan around the talent he has. Ayton living in the high post? JJ at the 2? Anderson getting minutes he clearly doesn't deserve...? I just don't understand the goal here. I would think you would put your best 5 players on the court and tailor a game plan around their skill sets. I don't see anything remotely close to that. As someone posted before, this reeks of trying to fit players to a system. That's bad coaching no matter the sport.

4. Accountability. At the beginning of the season I was adamant that Anderson was a waste of space. But I'm actually happier with his effort than Ariza's (and I think Anderson has been about what I expected; a waste). At least Anderson is playing smart(er) and trying. Ariza has been an utter joke. He's making errors that you would normally see from rookies not vets. And most of his mistakes have been on D, and that's supposed to be his staple. He looks like a dude who's doesn't give a rip. If I'm Igor, I'm in that dudes grill non stop. I'd trade that guy ASAP and send Anderson with him. They are offering about as much as Tyson was: minimal veteran leadership while soaking up minutes someone else can use. Which leads me too...

5. Can someone please HATE losing. Someone, please. Where's the passion? Where's the disdain? Where's the push to get better? Sorry, guys, I don't see it. Actually, that's not true. Canaan has showed it. But what does that say when our rental PG shows more passion than our potential stars? I HATE losing, but losing wouldn't suck as much if my team cared MORE than I did.

Igor, I'll give you a fair chance to prove Pop right about you. But dang bro, this is an uninspiring start to the season.
 

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