Who will be the Suns new head coach?

[Mainstreet]

Since fresh talk has begun about who the new Suns head coach might be, I'm thinking it needs it's own thread.

Earl Watson may have the inside track, but the Suns will probably interview other candidates as well.

Here is some speculation.

Paul Coro Retweeted
Mitch Lawrence ‏@Mitch_Lawrence 4h4 hours ago

Fresh off NCAA title, Villanova’s Jay Wright has emerged as the top choice of the Phoenix Suns to become their head coach, per NBA sources.

https://twitter.com/paulcoro

 

[PDXChris]

Tom Thibodeau

 

[sunsfan88]

Tom Thibodeau

I wish.

Watson seems to be a disciple of Thibodeau's minute distribution strategy already.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Looks like it may be Jay Wright.

 

[Mainstreet]

Marc Stein of ESPN reports the Suns will conduct a full-scale search for a head coach at season's end.

This off-season will really be exciting with the draft, the hire of a a head coach and the speculation about Steve Nash returning to the Suns in some capacity.

NBA coaching sources told ESPN.com that Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton, former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni (who currently serves as associate head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers) and former Suns star Dan Majerle (head coach at fledgling Division I program Grand Canyon in the Western Athletic Conference) are among the names likely to feature a broad list of targets.

Nash, according to sources, is not presently prepared to entertain the thought of a head-coaching position or even an assistant coach's role at this juncture, preferring to focus on fatherhood (he has three young children), his various off-court interests, the part-time consulting role with the Warriors that he took on at the start of this season and his duties as the general manager of Team Canada.

Sarver recently told The Arizona Republic that general manager Ryan McDonough will "definitely" continue as GM next season, but that hasn't stopped speculation among rival teams that Phoenix might pursue Nash to work in a front-office capacity instead.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...aching-search-earl-watson-luke-walton-targets

 

[Finito]

I like Walton I really like Thibs but man I'm afraid he might just run our young guys into the ground

I'd it's D'Antoni I'm just gonna quit being a Suns fans

 

[Mainstreet]

I like Walton I really like Thibs but man I'm afraid he might just run our young guys into the ground

I'd it's D'Antoni I'm just gonna quit being a Suns fans

I think Jay Wright is still in the mix . It appears Walton may be a long shot but why not give it a try.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

None of the names mentioned intrigue me.

I don't buy Watson. I haven't seen him COACH us to a win. Haven't seen anything that makes me thinks he's anything other than a "players" guy.

Wright might be good, maybe best option. But count me in the eternal skeptics re college-to-pros transition.

Majerle - see Watson, only goofier. Maybe a modern day Westphall. But Westy was more cerebral. Maybe a good coach for a vet team with established discipline.

Dantoni retread - he's not Cotton part deux, who was a perfect retread for a young team. Dantoni detests youngsters, or really rookies, and cannot, or refuses to, develop them. He's just not a good fit. And realistically maybe not a good fit unless he has the perfect roster.

Thibs is interesting in that he'd hopefully install defensive concepts and principles for the first time ever. Maybe a good hire for a young team to learn and acquire basics and then you replace him with an offensive guru to put them over the top when they're ready to compete for championships.

 

[JCSunsfan]

None of the names mentioned intrigue me.

I don't buy Watson. I haven't seen him COACH us to a win. Haven't seen anything that makes me thinks he's anything other than a "players" guy.

Wright might be good, maybe best option. But count me in the eternal skeptics re college-to-pros transition.

Majerle - see Watson, only goofier. Maybe a modern day Westphall. But Westy was more cerebral. Maybe a good coach for a vet team with established discipline.

Dantoni retread - he's not Cotton part deux, who was a perfect retread for a young team. Dantoni detests youngsters, or really rookies, and cannot, or refuses to, develop them. He's just not a good fit. And realistically maybe not a good fit unless he has the perfect roster.

Thibs is interesting in that he'd hopefully install defensive concepts and principles for the first time ever. Maybe a good hire for a young team to learn and acquire basics and then you replace him with an offensive guru to put them over the top when they're ready to compete for championships.

I am still mystified that Westy did not have a better coaching career. He was the headiest player I have ever seen. I guess it goes to show that coaching is not just about strategy. Its also about relationships, motivation, and accountability.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I am still mystified that Westy did not have a better coaching career. He was the headiest player I have ever seen. I guess it goes to show that coaching is not just about strategy. Its also about relationships, motivation, and accountability.

Barkley was uncoachable and Westphal was too young and inexperienced to handle that strong of a personality IMO. I was in a similar position as a first time supervisor in the army. At 18 years of age, I was in charge of men and women as much as a dozen years older than me and I had one guy that challenged my every decision.

He was very intelligent and a hard worker but absolutely hated authority figures. When it became obvious to everyone else that I couldn't force this guy to do what I wanted they all began to test me. I got through it (barely) and eventually learned how to do my job but initially I survived by just doing all the extra tasks that I couldn't get them to do. Westy didn't have that same escape route available to him.

 

[JCSunsfan]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...aching-search-earl-watson-luke-walton-targets

According to this article, considerations are:

Walton, DAntoni, Dan Majerle, Steve Nash, Jay Wright, Earl Watson, and maybe more.

So, my opinions based on the list.

Walton. Too young, too inexperienced. Not enough of a resume to indicate he could actually do the job.

DAntoni. Part of the next coach's job description would be to develop a host of young talent, even at the expense of wins in the short term. Since when has DAntoni been willing to do that?

Dan Majerle. Just doesn't strike me as having the "stuff." His experience at Grand Canyon is hardly qualification. Just never thought of him as having the smarts or personal skills to do this job.

Steve Nash. Love the guy. Smart. No experience coaching whatsoever, as a HC or an assistant. I get the Sarver likes him. I get that he wants him in the organization. Hire him as an assistant GM or a VP over something, not as head coach.

Jay Wright. Who knows, he may have what it takes. He has managerial experience and has gotten alot out of young players. He has not dealt with the prima donnas that are in the NBA though. He has built great teams with mid-level recruits. The NBA is a different game, and the schedule is different too. Worth a look, but I am skeptical.

Earl Watson. I think he has done an admirable job helping and developing young talent. He seems to be a good teacher. I think he could be a good choice for this stage, but I doubt his ability to take this team to any significant level of contention. I see him as a teacher and encourager, not a strategist and team architect.

So there you go. Long list, don't really like any of them. I am just throwing other names against the wall here: Jeff Van Gundy, Kevin Ollie, Thibideau, Messina. Messina may be a sleeper. He has been an assitant for years under Pop and is considered brilliant. He is probably my favorite. Why not hire coach away from another team? Maybe someone could post a poll with all these names.

 

[BC867]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...aching-search-earl-watson-luke-walton-targets

According to this article, considerations are:

Walton, DAntoni, Dan Majerle, Steve Nash, Jay Wright, Earl Watson, and maybe more.

So, my opinions based on the list.

Walton. Too young, too inexperienced. Not enough of a resume to indicate he could actually do the job.

DAntoni. Part of the next coach's job description would be to develop a host of young talent, even at the expense of wins in the short term. Since when has DAntoni been willing to do that?

Dan Majerle. Just doesn't strike me as having the "stuff." His experience at Grand Canyon is hardly qualification. Just never thought of him as having the smarts or personal skills to do this job.

Steve Nash. Love the guy. Smart. No experience coaching whatsoever, as a HC or an assistant. I get the Sarver likes him. I get that he wants him in the organization. Hire him as an assistant GM or a VP over something, not as head coach.

Jay Wright. Who knows, he may have what it takes. He has managerial experience and has gotten alot out of young players. He has not dealt with the prima donnas that are in the NBA though. He has built great teams with mid-level recruits. The NBA is a different game, and the schedule is different too. Worth a look, but I am skeptical.

Earl Watson. I think he has done an admirable job helping and developing young talent. He seems to be a good teacher. I think he could be a good choice for this stage, but I doubt his ability to take this team to any significant level of contention. I see him as a teacher and encourager, not a strategist and team architect.

So there you go. Long list, don't really like any of them.

I agree with you on all but 1 1/2 points.

I would be happy with Jay Wright as Head Coach. A college coach knows firsthand what it means to be the guy at the top, in the limelight and held responsible. Plus, college coaches are recruiters as well. A former Assistant NBA coach, such as Hornacek, did not bring any of that resume to the job. Whether he could be the figurehead remained to be seen. And we saw.

You made a good point about the experience of working with prima donna NBA players. Yes, it is different than college kids, but with college stars jumping to the NBA after one season, I am sure they are prima donnas to some degree. Neither situation is perfect.

Regarding Thunder Dan, no one was more vocal than I about his being too immature to jump to Head Coach from player. I had personal experience. But I have seen recent interviews. Dan has (finally) taken giant steps to become mature and responsible.

Other than Jay Wright, he is the only other possible candidate from the list whom I would consider. Walton was in a strange position. He was the day-to-day Coach, but Kerr never relinquished and remained involved.

D'Antoni and Nash -- absolutely not. Watson -- we can do better in terms of experience. 'Just my opinions. Of course, what fans think don't matter. With the slew of many recent Head Coaches that Sarver has hired, we've seen that his choice is someone whom he can keep under his thumb.

 

[Errntknght]

Barkley was uncoachable and Westphal was too young and inexperienced to handle that strong of a personality IMO. I was in a similar position as a first time supervisor in the army. At 18 years of age, I was in charge of men and women as much as a dozen years older than me and I had one guy that challenged my every decision.

I saw that situation the same way. But I thought they did Westy a disservice bringing him as Cotton's heir apparent, his whole future laid out for him. A few years making his way up the assistant ranks on his own would have seasoned him, prepared him. And then Cotton stepped down after one year, IIRC - one year and 11 games or something like that.

I believe that has to be the time Cotton had the goofy idea of installing the triangle. Frank Johnson you expect goofy from but not Cotton. (FJ installed the pinchpost motion offense one year... probably the year D'A replaced him after a couple of months of ugly basketball.)

 

[Carolinacacti]

Watson

 

[JCSunsfan]

I agree with you on all but 1 1/2 points.

I would be happy with Jay Wright as Head Coach. A college coach knows firsthand what it means to be the guy at the top, in the limelight and held responsible. Plus, college coaches are recruiters as well. A former Assistant NBA coach, such as Hornacek, did not bring any of that resume to the job. Whether he could be the figurehead remained to be seen. And we saw.

You made a good point about the experience of working with prima donna NBA players. Yes, it is different than college kids, but with college stars jumping to the NBA after one season, I am sure they are prima donnas to some degree. Neither situation is perfect.

Regarding Thunder Dan, no one was more vocal than I about his being too immature to jump to Head Coach from player. I had personal experience. But I have seen recent interviews. Dan has (finally) taken giant steps to become mature and responsible.

Other than Jay Wright, he is the only other possible candidate from the list whom I would consider. Walton was in a strange position. He was the day-to-day Coach, but Kerr never relinquished and remained involved.

D'Antoni and Nash -- absolutely not. Watson -- we can do better in terms of experience. 'Just my opinions. Of course, what fans think don't matter. With the slew of many recent Head Coaches that Sarver has hired, we've seen that his choice is someone whom he can keep under his thumb.

My point with Jay Wright is that usually had mid-level talent at Nova. Did he even have any one and done players? He is not used to dealing with top level players. Maybe he would be fine. Not sure if recruiting experience helps. The NBA game is different. Among the candidates, I would not argue with him, I would just be doubtful.

OK. I just checked. The NBA players (of any significance) that Wright coached are: Dante Cunningham, Randy Foye, Kyle Lowry, Malik Allen, Tim Thomas, Alvin Williams, Michael Bradley, Kerry Kittles, and Doug West. Not sure what it means but that's the top talent he has ever coached.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Walton, Wright are the only two people who intrigue me on that list, but to be honest, neither of them excite me all that much. Wright probably more then anyone, but I don't think we're looking at the next Brad Stevens there. If Nash, Majerle or DA get the hire, well, it will just continue to prove how inept the FO and ownership of this franchise continues to be.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Van Gundy, Messina?

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

My guess right now is that it will be Earl Watson at the start of next season. Unless there is a great coaching prospect available to us than I would prefer to just ride out the Watson tenure for now and see how it develops. He clearly seems to have the players' buy in and with a little bit of shuffling of the roster between the draft and free agency I think this team could be halfway decent next season.

 

[82CardsGrad]

For me, if they can't make it work with Marjle, then Watson is my guy. Every time I hear Watson talk I like him more. And given the junk pile thrusted on him, I'd say he's done a very respectable job...

 

[Phrazbit]

Not Majerle. They shouldn't even consider Nash or D'Anotni. I'd rather we expanded the gene pool with the next hire, we just got done with some inbreeding, it didn't end well, none of those guys have resumes worthy of consideration anyway.

I suspect the Sixers are going to spare us the opportunity of a 2nd D'Anotni hire anyway.

 

[az jam]

Not Majerle. They shouldn't even consider Nash or D'Anotni. I'd rather we expanded the gene pool with the next hire, we just got done with some inbreeding, it didn't end well, none of those guys have resumes worthy of consideration anyway.

I suspect the Sixers are going to spare us the opportunity of a 2nd D'Anotni hire anyway.

I like D'Antoni but not to coach a group of young players like the Suns will have next season.

 

[Mainstreet]

Not Majerle. They shouldn't even consider Nash or D'Anotni. I'd rather we expanded the gene pool with the next hire, we just got done with some inbreeding, it didn't end well, none of those guys have resumes worthy of consideration anyway.

I suspect the Sixers are going to spare us the opportunity of a 2nd D'Anotni hire anyway.

It sure seems to be shaping up that way.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I like D'Antoni but not to coach a group of young players like the Suns will have next season.

Then expect Okafor to be traded, maybe Embiid too. I am not even sure Noel is a good choice for center in DAntoni's system based upon his shooting. His mobility and size work, but he has to improve his shot.

 

[Phrazbit]

No chance they dump Okafor, regardless of who they hire. 4 years of tanking and he is all they really have to show for it.

 

[AzStevenCal]

No chance they dump Okafor, regardless of who they hire. 4 years of tanking and he is all they really have to show for it.

New regime, they can do things that the old one couldn't do. But even if they hire Dantoni they won't just dump Okafor, they'd need high lottery level return for him. Which means it might take some time to move him, there aren't a lot of teams looking to play 90's style basketball right now.