Pacers @ Suns 11-27-18

[SirStefan32]

I am still high on Igor. I think it's unfair to evaluate someone on 20 games with a mismatched roster.
Three things are clear, however.

He tends to trust his veterans, and the youngsters really have to prove themselves. He will make adjustments, but he is slower with those adjustments than I would like. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing- is he stubborn or just methodical?

Team is improving. By default I give the coach credit for that, just like I blame the coach if the team is getting worse. I am seeing more effort out there, more improvements every game, so I am good with that.

As much experience as he has as an assistant, there are moments where it's obvious he is a rookie. Time outs are probably the biggest one. There was an instance in which he called a time out in the middle of Suns' run. I get it, he wanted that play executed a certain way, but it shifted the momentum. Don't ask me which game because I don't remember, but I do remember that it was in the middle of a major run by Phoenix. Then, he didn't call a time out during a run by the other team. Again, I don't remember the details, but it was something like 10-0 or 12-0 run. We'll see if this gets better, but so far, this is my biggest criticism of him. Item described in the second paragraph is frustrating, but I am OK assuming I don't know as well as he does, so I can let that one go for now.

 

[SirStefan32]

It could be Kokoskov needs to develop (as a rookie head coach) much like rookie players.

I am sure that's the case. Honestly, it's a good way to connect with the young team- flat out say, "Hey, we are a young team. I am a rookie too, just like some of you. We are all learning and developing together."

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, I'd imagine there are some growing pains involved. I remain hopeful about him but, as I said, I really don't feel strongly about him either way.

I'm giving Kokoskov the benefit of the doubt for now as I'm not looking for a new wave of changes except for the hire of a solid GM. However, I suspect we already know who that will be.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am sure that's the case. Honestly, it's a good way to connect with the young team- flat out say, "Hey, we are a young team. I am a rookie too, just like some of you. We are all learning and developing together."

I'm not sure how it works out but I'm tired of the game of rotating coaches. I do think being an assistant coach is much different than being a head coach. It's only fair to think he can improve with time especially with the Suns roster in disarray to begin the season.

 

[Suns_fan69]

As much experience as he has as an assistant, there are moments where it's obvious he is a rookie. Time outs are probably the biggest one. There was an instance in which he called a time out in the middle of Suns' run. I get it, he wanted that play executed a certain way, but it shifted the momentum. Don't ask me which game because I don't remember, but I do remember that it was in the middle of a major run by Phoenix. Then, he didn't call a time out during a run by the other team. Again, I don't remember the details, but it was something like 10-0 or 12-0 run. We'll see if this gets better, but so far, this is my biggest criticism of him. Item described in the second paragraph is frustrating, but I am OK assuming I don't know as well as he does, so I can let that one go for now.

Pretty sure both instances were in the Milwaukee game, and it's not hyperbole to say that both mistakes could have cost Phoenix the game.

 

[Superbone]

I'm not questioning the Suns trade, only pointing out who was available at #16.

Why?

 

[SirStefan32]

Why?

Informational purposes, I assume.

 

[Chaplin]

I am sure that's the case. Honestly, it's a good way to connect with the young team- flat out say, "Hey, we are a young team. I am a rookie too, just like some of you. We are all learning and developing together."

That's a nice sentiment. But Igor has been playing/coaching the game of basketball longer than most of our team has been alive. He's not a rookie, at least, not like THEY are rookies.

 

[Mainstreet]

Why?

In post #5 on this thread, @sunsfan88 was remarking it would be nice to have one of the Pacers point guards. Aaron Holiday was available if the Suns drafted at #16.

I was simply remarking it was possible.

 

[sunsfan88]

That's a nice sentiment. But Igor has been playing/coaching the game of basketball longer than most of our team has been alive. He's not a rookie, at least, not like THEY are rookies.

Being a head coach in the NBA and being an assistant coach in the NBA are vastly different jobs. There is definitely going to be an adjustment period for a rookie HC regardless of whether the coach was holding a basketball when coming out of his mother’s womb or whatever.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'm not sold either way on Koko but I find myself wondering if his real strength lies in the things that only assistant coaches get to do such as one on one work with the players.

Similar to that, I think one of his problems has been not assigning his assistants to specific things. I read an article just before preseason about how all of the assistant coaches have their hands in every thing. There isn't a specialist, be it an offensive or defensive or otherwise. He wanted them to help all players with all things and if a player comes to one of them for help, he wants them to provide it and not pass them off onto someone else. It sounds good for a Popovich type system that is established but to try that as a first time head coach seemed questionable. So perhaps he's been misusing his own assistants also. Trying to put them in positions he would have preferred himself, or may have been in.

 

[SirStefan32]

Similar to that, I think one of his problems has been not assigning his assistants to specific things. I read an article just before preseason about how all of the assistant coaches have their hands in every thing. There isn't a specialist, be it an offensive or defensive or otherwise. He wanted them to help all players with all things and if a player comes to one of them for help, he wants them to provide it and not pass them off onto someone else. It sounds good for a Popovich type system that is established but to try that as a first time head coach seemed questionable. So perhaps he's been misusing his own assistants also. Trying to put them in positions he would have preferred himself, or may have been in.

Or it could be a really good, smart move.

 

[Chaplin]

Being a head coach in the NBA and being an assistant coach in the NBA are vastly different jobs. There is definitely going to be an adjustment period for a rookie HC regardless of whether the coach was holding a basketball when coming out of his mother’s womb or whatever.

I disagree, him being a "rookie" head coach isn't a good enough reason for me to want to hold him accountable.

 

[1Sun]

Saw many of their fans on Jazz forum talking about how much the team misses Kokoskov.

Kokoskov strikes me as the type who is the perfect assistant coach but who doesn't have the overall assertiveness, leadership ability, communication skills, sharpness and quickness of mind and strategic wherewithal to be at the top and to be the one making the call on line-ups and in-game strategy.

Some guys are just meant to be assistant coaches (or coordinators in football, or bench coaches in baseball), rather than head coaches (or managers in baseball).

Sadly, I would put Steve Wilks and Torey Lovullo into that category as well.

This city is stuck with a bunch of assistants trying unsuccessfully to serve at a level higher than their capacity.

 

[1Sun]

Similar to that, I think one of his problems has been not assigning his assistants to specific things. I read an article just before preseason about how all of the assistant coaches have their hands in every thing. There isn't a specialist, be it an offensive or defensive or otherwise. He wanted them to help all players with all things and if a player comes to one of them for help, he wants them to provide it and not pass them off onto someone else. It sounds good for a Popovich type system that is established but to try that as a first time head coach seemed questionable. So perhaps he's been misusing his own assistants also. Trying to put them in positions he would have preferred himself, or may have been in.

I think he is too wishy washy and passive to delegate properly in this way that is needed.

 

[Mainstreet]

Oladipo will not play tonight for the Pacers.

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[Mainstreet]

Booker gets the Suns on the board with a runner.

Suns trail 6-2.

 

[Mainstreet]

Booker takes the offensive charge by Bogdan.

 

[Mainstreet]

Good defense by Booker tonight.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Booker takes the offensive charge by Bogdan.

It was the right call but I suspect we don't get it if the refs hadn't just missed the obvious foul at the other end when Booker threw up a prayer expecting two free throws.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ayton blocks Sabonis.

 

[Mainstreet]

It was the right call but I suspect we don't get it if the refs hadn't just missed the obvious foul at the other end when Booker threw up a prayer expecting two free throws.

Maybe but I thought it was the right call. It looked like a charge to me.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Maybe but I thought it was the right call. It looked like a charge to me.

Oh it was unquestionably the right call, I've just seen it go the other way on us so often this season. Like I said, at the other end Booker had put up a bad shot assuming the refs were going to call the contact and I think that played a part in the stripers doing their job on the next play.

 

[Mainstreet]

Canaan is in the game.

 

[Mainstreet]

Oh it was unquestionably the right call, I've just seen it go the other way on us so often this season. Like I said, at the other end Booker had put up a bad shot assuming the refs were going to call the contact and I think that played a part in the stripers doing their job on the next play.

No doubt. The referees make their own rules.