Poll - Igor Kokoskov's Future With the Suns

[Errntknght]

It's hard to stay interested in the problems of this team. We all know that Sarver is the real problem and we also know that no one who is competent will come to work for him. In fact, if someone competent was willing to do it just for the sake of players and fans, Sarver wouldn't hire him.

Maybe if the whole front office and the players would go on strike, the NBA would step in. The evidence is pretty strong already that they need to, but they seed something to give them a solid kick in hte pants.

 

[Capital Card]

I took the third option... since no one else did.

 

[Raindog]

It's hard to stay interested in the problems of this team. We all know that Sarver is the real problem and we also know that no one who is competent will come to work for him. In fact, if someone competent was willing to do it just for the sake of players and fans, Sarver wouldn't hire him.

Maybe if the whole front office and the players would go on strike, the NBA would step in. The evidence is pretty strong already that they need to, but they seed something to give them a solid kick in hte pants.

I agree - you can re-arrange the deck chairs, but at the end of the day, it's awfully hard not to sink when the captain keeps steering into icebergs because of his arrogance and obstinance.

Throughout NBA history, there have been lousy/incompetent owners who were eventually driven out, either through league intervention or public pressure... Ted Stepien, George Shinn, and Donald Sterling, as primary examples. But in most cases, not before many bad years that nearly killed their franchises.

 

[bwgood77]

i'll bet he was a fine assistant coach. he still is
he was one for a long time and no one wanted to promote him until Sarver went bargain shopping after loosening up his wallet on player salaries.

replacing Igor at any time would only confirm what any team who has prepped to play the Suns already knows -- the team is fundamentally flawed and predictable under Igor. Their weaknesses can be exploited and they're only a threat if 3 or more players are hot on the same night.

we can only preserve or enhance our bad reputation by keeping him
but we might start repairing it and our players bad habits by replacing him
sooner than later

He's still playing with 3 rookies who are major parts of the rotation, a 38 year old combo guard no one else would sign for the minimum, a disappointing 2nd year player and only two veteran scorers who have been injured. McD set anyone up to fail with this roster.

And Nash? Why would people want Nash? He's never coached at ANY level.

And some seem to think Ayton used to be more or better utilized on offense, but he's on pace to be the first rookie in NBA history to avg 15+ PPG, 10+RPG and a 60% FG%.

Also one of only 4 guys (along with Duncan, Shaq and Griffin) to record 300 points and 200 rebounds through 20 career games.

Continuity among coaches, players and roster is important. We need to add some pieces and depth, but the players are improving and becoming more competitive, when Booker and Warren are healthy enough to play. They are pretty important given our lack of depth, and without Booker, the Suns will be forced to start a rookie or a 38 year old over the hill combo guard at PG.

 

[1tinsoldier]

And some seem to think Ayton used to be more or better utilized on offense, but he's on pace to be the first rookie in NBA history to avg 15+ PPG, 10+RPG and a 60% FG%.

yes, we're all happy with the stats
but most of us don't just look at the box scores
we actually watch the games
and we're not happy with what we see with our eyes

clearly, he can be better utilized on offense and defense

 

[1Sun]

Bump

 

[BC867]

I'd like to change my vote from #2 to #1.

Unless you can introduce a new choice --"Tonight!"

 

[Matt L]

This is embarrassing. I don't know if I have ever seen a worse game.

 

[Cheesebeef]

come on... what practical jokers actually voted 3-4 years? There's no one who really believes that, right?

 

[Matt L]

Why did they not fire McDonough last year? Why did they let him hire a coach and pick Ayton?

 

[TJ]

Igor doesn’t inspire me. He’s like the Serbian Steve Wilks. Good at developing individual talent but bad at coaching a team. I hope he’s poo-canned after the season.

 

[taz02]

Last season we were 8-16 at this point. We added Ayton, Bridges and TJ improved yet we are worse than last season.

I suppose we should be less worried about the coach than the lack of a real GM and scouting team since we are playing for the lottery AGAIN!

Find a real GM and staff, sign an experienced coach, rest Booker and trade our top 3 pick, players and cap space for established players that can play.

 

[Hoop Head]

I wonder if we would have a shot at signing Luke Walton if Magic lets Lebron fire him. He's someone who seems to have a handle on developing young players. He's done well with what he's been given so far. He has helped the Lakers improve during his time there, not just with Lebron this year. There is also the UofA connection with he and Sarver, as well as Ayton. He would have the chance to coach a young upcoming rival of the Lakers for years to come. We have talent that needs direction and he should be able to provide it. He hasn't been a head coach long but we also don't want someone like a Triano who has bounced around a lot as a lifer of sorts that's given chances because he's been around.

One potential issue is Kerr because you can bet Walton would talk to him about the Suns and if Kerr bashes Sarver then there goes any chance of hiring him. Just throwing the idea out there. I'm not sold on firing Kokoskov. He needs to make it through the year. Walton would be seen as an upgrade by most and firing Kokoskov because he was a McD hire might help cushion the bad look of cutting him loose so soon but if our record is worse than last year, could anyone really blame us?

 

[taz02]

The only reason Igor should make it through the season is a lack of options.

I'm sure he can improve and likely will but at this stage players have regressed, there is little to no effort some nights, there is zero defense, his offense is boring to watch and does not fit the players we have.

With the exception of TJ's outside shooting, which has nothing to do with the coach, has anyone or any aspect of the team improved as a result of Kokoskov? Maybe someone can point out what he has done well.

I know we don't have a PG, but that has been the case for a while and the offense should have been adjusted by now. We have enough talent to be competitive and we aren't.

I don't think he should be canned unless there is a clear plan to hire an experienced coach. There is no point, play for the lottery again, identify an experienced GM and coach offer them max money and control and start the rebuild with a blockbuster trade(s) before the draft.

Until then, put your seat belts on and try and survive the train wreck.....

 

[Raindog]

I am turning out not to be a fan of Igor, either. There is still time to turn around the season, and maybe this will all eventually look just like growing pains for a young team with a novice head coach. But there is plenty of room for doubt at this point.

I still maintain that firing McD immediately before the season started set a bad tone and threw the mood of the entire organization off - from coaches down to players. That kind of drastic action when you should be trying to get positive momentum going for the new season just smacks of arrogance and shortsightedness by the guy in charge. But then again, look who we are talking about... someone whose entire tenure as owner has been defined by those very attributes.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wonder if we would have a shot at signing Luke Walton if Magic lets Lebron fire him. He's someone who seems to have a handle on developing young players. He's done well with what he's been given so far. He has helped the Lakers improve during his time there, not just with Lebron this year. There is also the UofA connection with he and Sarver, as well as Ayton. He would have the chance to coach a young upcoming rival of the Lakers for years to come. We have talent that needs direction and he should be able to provide it. He hasn't been a head coach long but we also don't want someone like a Triano who has bounced around a lot as a lifer of sorts that's given chances because he's been around.

One potential issue is Kerr because you can bet Walton would talk to him about the Suns and if Kerr bashes Sarver then there goes any chance of hiring him. Just throwing the idea out there. I'm not sold on firing Kokoskov. He needs to make it through the year. Walton would be seen as an upgrade by most and firing Kokoskov because he was a McD hire might help cushion the bad look of cutting him loose so soon but if our record is worse than last year, could anyone really blame us?

I'm all ears about Luke Walton if he becomes available.

 

[95pro]

Lakers trade Ball & Walton to the suns for...?

 

[slinslin]

Igor is garbage
I believe he lacks the communication and inspirational skills to be a headcoach.
He does not seem to know how to push his players. A lot of his interviews were also sounding like he pushes a lot of responsibility on the players "does not coach effort etc".
He seems to give the players too much freedom to do what they feel like instead of pushing them to do what is effective.
He also comes across soft and maybe that is reflected by the players.
I think we would do better with a stricter old school coach. Someone who can take charge and commands respect. Somehow I don't feel that with Igor at all.

This is a young team that needs a hands on approach and clear direction, I just don't see it.

 

[1Sun]

Igor is garbage
I believe he lacks the communication and inspirational skills to be a headcoach.
He does not seem to know how to push his players. A lot of his interviews were also sounding like he pushes a lot of responsibility on the players "does not coach effort etc".
He seems to give the players too much freedom to do what they feel like instead of pushing them to do what is effective.
He also comes across soft and maybe that is reflected by the players.
I think we would do better with a stricter old school coach. Someone who can take charge and commands respect. Somehow I don't feel that with Igor at all.

This is a young team that needs a hands on approach and clear direction, I just don't see it.

x 1,000

 

[Mainstreet]

I wonder if the Suns could reach a buyout with Igor which would help save face for both sides.

I'm wondering who would be the interim. Joe Prunty has coaching experience but I don't know much about him.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Prunty

 

[95pro]

Keep Igor as an assistant if it comes to that.

 

[Hoop Head]

I am turning out not to be a fan of Igor, either. There is still time to turn around the season, and maybe this will all eventually look just like growing pains for a young team with a novice head coach. But there is plenty of room for doubt at this point.

I still maintain that firing McD immediately before the season started set a bad tone and threw the mood of the entire organization off - from coaches down to players. That kind of drastic action when you should be trying to get positive momentum going for the new season just smacks of arrogance and shortsightedness by the guy in charge. But then again, look who we are talking about... someone whose entire tenure as owner has been defined by those very attributes.

I can see firing McD making some players angry or upset. Not that they were fans of McD but someone doesn't get fired like he did if he did his job well this offseason. Firing him said that he didn't build a good or complete roster and any expectations that some players had were off.

 

[1Sun]

I can see firing McD making some players angry or upset. Not that they were fans of McD but someone doesn't get fired like he did if he did his job well this offseason. Firing him said that he didn't build a good or complete roster and any expectations that some players had were off.

Well, it might explain Trevor Ariza and Tyson Chandler dogging it...

 

[taz02]

Then we shouldn't have Chandler or Ariza on the team. This team lacks a true leader, owner, coach or GM.

 

[1Sun]

Then we shouldn't have Chandler or Ariza on the team. This team lacks a true leader, owner, coach or GM.

I agree we shouldn't have them on the team. And at least on the court, the head coach is supposed to be the leader...