Who will be the Suns new head coach?

[JCSunsfan]

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.

That really was Hinkie's problem. It doesn't do a team any good to get all those picks if you don't make good use of them once you have them.

 

[GatorAZ]

That really was Hinkie's problem. It doesn't do a team any good to get all those picks if you don't make good use of them once you have them.

Honestly every pick seemed like BPA to me.

 

[Covert Rain]

Anybody but D'Antoni is as step in the right direction.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If we're willing to go the college route I'd give serious consideration to Tubby Smith. I've always thought he'd do well at the next level and while he's 64 years old it's not like NBA coaches last long enough in their position to make his age that big of an issue. He'd also be a great choice to mentor his successor if we had our eye on a young coach that wasn't quite ready yet.

 

[sunsfan88]

I hope it's not Walton, I'm not a fan. I think my dog can probably coach that Warriors team to the same record and accolades that he did.

 

[FArting]

It will be Watson

The players want him back.

He is the leading candidate.

 

[Mainstreet]

It will be Watson

The players want him back.

He is the leading candidate.

The Suns may not be willing to pay a top coach which always seem to limit their pool of candidates. It seems to be their mode of operation although I am not sure how much money Watson will want. For once I'd like to see the Suns hire a coach without money as their first concern.

 

[Errntknght]

Didn't Watson just hire an agent who's known for outrageous money demands? That may be enough to make him unappetizing before the process gets under way...

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

It was good hearing M. D'Antoni on Bickley and Marotta show today. Im still hoping the Suns bring him back although Im probably in the minority. Mike still speaks fondly of his Suns teams and seems to miss living and coaching in Phx.

 

[elindholm]

Mike still speaks fondly of his Suns teams and seems to miss living and coaching in Phx.

So his qualification is that he would like to have the job?

 

[Mainstreet]

It was good hearing M. D'Antoni on Bickley and Marotta show today. Im still hoping the Suns bring him back although Im probably in the minority. Mike still speaks fondly of his Suns teams and seems to miss living and coaching in Phx.

I miss the D'Antoni years with the Suns but not many posters do. It would drive them bonkers if he came back. Maybe Ettore Messina might be a good coaching candidate for the Suns.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

So his qualification is that he would like to have the job?

I didnt state his qualifications for the job here but feel free to add your own.

 

[Iceman]

I wouldn't mind seeing Watson get a chance to prove he can do a good job. The players seem to be vouching for him

 

[Mainstreet]

I wouldn't mind seeing Watson get a chance to prove he can do a good job. The players seem to be vouching for him

I read somewhere that Mirza Teletovic said he would not remain with the Suns if Watson was not re-signed. IMO, this would be a loss for the Suns.

 

[elindholm]

I read somewhere that Mirza Teletovic said he would not remain with the Suns if Watson was not re-signed. IMO, this would be a loss for the Suns.

The greater loss would be allowing a journeyman role player to think that he has a relevant say in who the coach is.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The greater loss would be allowing a journeyman role player to think that he has a relevant say in who the coach is.

seriously.

 

[Mainstreet]

The greater loss would be allowing a journeyman role player to think that he has a relevant say in who the coach is.

I think Mirza was just voicing support for Watson. I certainly do not think he would have any input on who the Suns new coach should be. However, losing Mirza would be a loss in free agency. I think he will be in demand.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I read somewhere that Mirza Teletovic said he would not remain with the Suns if Watson was not re-signed. IMO, this would be a loss for the Suns.

This sounds like an ultimatum which never plays well. I don't know what he actually said but the blurb I read was much less demanding (from a Dave King article at SB Nation):

(Leuer and Teletovic)...both free agents, expressed a desire to return to the Suns next year. Mirza even suggested that he'd be most inclined to return if Watson returned as well.

Hopefully the above quote is closer to what he actually said than what you read.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think Mirza was just voicing support for Watson. I certainly do not think he would have any input on who the Suns new coach should be. However, losing Mirza would be a loss in free agency. I think he will be in demand.

I have no problem with any of the players having input on the performance of Watson but that input would hopefully just be one of many factors consdiered during the process. And I agree, losing Mizra would be disappointing.

 

[sunsfan88]

It will be Watson

The players want him back.

He is the leading candidate.

Certainly looks like it.

Other teams have already reportedly interviewed candidates such as Thibs, JVG, Scott Brooks and maybe even Walton already. Haven't heard a word about the Suns interviewing anyone else so Watson may just be the only one on the list.

One team has already even made their hire and that too a good one in Atkinson.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

So his qualification is that he would like to have the job?

Well, with the way everyone else that has been jettisoned by the Suns has spoken about them, since MD left, I'd say speaking fondly of the team is 1 qualification.

 

[sunsfan88]

The Suns may not be willing to pay a top coach which always seem to limit their pool of candidates. It seems to be their mode of operation although I am not sure how much money Watson will want. For once I'd like to see the Suns hire a coach without money as their first concern.

Same here. I suspect many of the top available coaches such as Thibs, JVG etc would not even waste their time interviewing for the Suns job because they don't think they will get the compensation in Phoenix that they can get elsewhere.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Same here. I suspect many of the top available coaches such as Thibs, JVG etc would not even waste their time interviewing for the Suns job because they don't think they will get the compensation in Phoenix that they can get elsewhere.

The only one that wouldn't consider the Suns, IMO, is Thibodeau and that's just because he's interested in full control of personnel decisions and that's not happening in Phoenix. Matter of fact, that's probably not happening in very many places.

 

[crisper57]

Jude LaCava of Fox 10 is reporting that the Suns will just remove the "interim" tag from Watson. He is the real HC now.

Jude LaCava ‏@judefox10 2h2 hours ago
Sources inside the Suns inform me that the interim tag will be removed and Earl Watson will be the next head coach of the Suns #nba

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I like the move. I'm surprised they didn't conduct a more open search, but I get it. The organization has some perception issues at this point. Watson came in and delivered on everything he was asked to do while gaining the trust of the players. If the Suns had moved on from Earl at this point, it would be another sign that they are disloyal.

I'm not sure Watson is the long-term answer, but I think he's the right choice for now, and I think he did enough as interim coach to earn the chance to prove that he's the long-term answer.