Who will be the Suns new Head Coach?

[Hoop Head]

The Ringer recently posted an article about the start of the Suns coaching search. They go over who the Suns should look at including Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Monty Williams, Dave Fizdale, and long shots Steve Nash and Becky Hammon. I wouldn't put it past this team to hire Hammon because that would be a gimmick of sorts, the first female Head Coach in the NBA. She has been an assistant in San Antoni on Pop's staff for a few years now which is solid experience but I don't know how I'd feel about that hiring because it would be another gimmick hiring of sorts. Of the people listed I'd prefer Fizdale, Van Gundy, Williams, Nash, Hammon, and Jackson in that order. Williams and Nash would be even with Hammon being really close to those 2. I think those 3 would elicit the same response from me, not happy but not disgruntled. All 3 would be better than Triano. The only way I'd like to see Mark Jackson is if it came down to a choose of him or Jason Kidd. I'd rather have Earl Watson back then go that route.


https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/3/23/17157566/phoenix-suns-head-coach

 

[elindholm]

I'd love Van Gundy, as I've said before.

As for Hammond, I don't know that she'd be a gimmick so much as just another unproven assistant. There are a lot of assistant coaches in the league and probably even a lot of good ones. The next generation of head coaches has to come from somewhere, and the pool of assistants is a logical proving ground. But the Suns are so young and undisciplined that I think they need someone established, no matter how brilliant the assistant coach options may be.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Ringer recently posted an article about the start of the Suns coaching search. They go over who the Suns should look at including Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Monty Williams, Dave Fizdale, and long shots Steve Nash and Becky Hammon. I wouldn't put it past this team to hire Hammon because that would be a gimmick of sorts, the first female Head Coach in the NBA. She has been an assistant in San Antoni on Pop's staff for a few years now which is solid experience but I don't know how I'd feel about that hiring because it would be another gimmick hiring of sorts. Of the people listed I'd prefer Fizdale, Van Gundy, Williams, Nash, Hammon, and Jackson in that order. Williams and Nash would be even with Hammon being really close to those 2. I think those 3 would elicit the same response from me, not happy but not disgruntled. All 3 would be better than Triano. The only way I'd like to see Mark Jackson is if it came down to a choose of him or Jason Kidd. I'd rather have Earl Watson back then go that route.


https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/3/23/17157566/phoenix-suns-head-coach

I wouldn't mind Van Gundy for the short haul, this team needs to toughen up and learn to play defense and he could help with that. I don't think his physical style of play will be as effective in today's NBA but we're a long ways from worrying about that. I think I'd lean towards Fizdale or Hammon from that list although Monty Williams probably deserves another shot.

And just say no to Jackson. A big NO.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'd love Van Gundy, as I've said before.

As for Hammond, I don't know that she'd be a gimmick so much as just another unproven assistant. There are a lot of assistant coaches in the league and probably even a lot of good ones. The next generation of head coaches has to come from somewhere, and the pool of assistants is a logical proving ground. But the Suns are so young and undisciplined that I think they need someone established, no matter how brilliant the assistant coach options may be.

I am not a VanGundy fan. Hammond. Hmm. The problem there is that while she might be good and all, this Suns team is not the one to break new ground in hiring a female coach. If she struggles, you won't be able to fire her. All eyes will be on the Suns but for the wrong reasons. The best place for her to break in to coaching is following Pop with the Spurs.

Mark Jackson would be Earl Watson part 2. No. Look at the Warriors before and after Jackson.

Jay Wright, Ettore Messina (plenty of head coaching experience in Europe), Fizdale (sound OK, but I am not sure what kind of coach he is).

I don't think we realize what these NBA coaches deal with in these very young players. Triano was asked what the big difference is in JJ since "the talk" at the end of January. He hesitated and then said that players have to mature and start acting like professionals. Things like SHOWING UP ON TIME. He said one coach he knows tells his players to make their beds in the morning AND BRUSH THEIR TEETH.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am not a VanGundy fan. Hammond. Hmm. The problem there is that while she might be good and all, this Suns team is not the one to break new ground in hiring a female coach. If she struggles, you won't be able to fire her. All eyes will be on the Suns but for the wrong reasons. The best place for her to break in to coaching is following Pop with the Spurs.

Mark Jackson would be Earl Watson part 2. No. Look at the Warriors before and after Jackson.

Jay Wright, Ettore Messina (plenty of head coaching experience in Europe), Fizdale (sound OK, but I am not sure what kind of coach he is).

I don't think we realize what these NBA coaches deal with in these very young players. Triano was asked what the big difference is in JJ since "the talk" at the end of January. He hesitated and then said that players have to mature and start acting like professionals. Things like SHOWING UP ON TIME. He said one coach he knows tells his players to make their beds in the morning AND BRUSH THEIR TEETH.

It's all of this. Suns are not in position not to do this. Hiring Ann Meyers Drysdale was already a step in this direction. The Suns cannot take chances on their new hire.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

It's all of this. Suns are not in position not to do this. Hiring Ann Meyers Drysdale was already a step in this direction. The Suns cannot take chances on their new hire.

If they interview her and like her the most I would be all for it. The positive press that would follow would be good for the team as well. The question is would she be a good head coach and would she fit well with this team? If the answer is yes to both things then I will be more than happy with her.

 

[Mainstreet]

If they interview her and like her the most I would be all for it. The positive press that would follow would be good for the team as well. The question is would she be a good head coach and would she fit well with this team? If the answer is yes to both things then I will be more than happy with her.

I try to keep an open mind. It has nothing to do with sex. IMO, a team with a successful track record should be the team to make the next step.

Of course if Hammond was hired, I would support her 100%.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I try to keep an open mind. It has nothing to do with sex. IMO, a team with a successful track record should be the team to make the next step.

Of course if Hammond was hired, I would support her 100%.

Teams with successful track records aren’t usually the teams looking for a new coach. Obviously that would always be the best situation for any coach to step into, but the reality is that most coaching vacancies are on bad teams.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Teams with successful track records aren’t usually the teams looking for a new coach. Obviously that would always be the best situation for any coach to step into, but the reality is that most coaching vacancies are on bad teams.

That's why following Pop with the Spurs would be best for her. I do have my concerns about a female coach being able to handle testosterone driven 18-20 year olds with millions in their bank accounts. It seems to me that it will take more mature players to handle that for the first time.

Are there any female head coaches of men's teams in the NCAA div one?

 

[Hoop Head]

That's why following Pop with the Spurs would be best for her. I do have my concerns about a female coach being able to handle testosterone driven 18-20 year olds with millions in their bank accounts. It seems to me that it will take more mature players to handle that for the first time.

Are there any female head coaches of men's teams in the NCAA div one?

I agree with this. The only way I think a female coach will be successful in the NBA is if they're brought up as an assistant with that organization before becoming the head coach. That way they're able to build a relationship with the players before taking over as the head coach. The egos could be out of control otherwise. I could only imagine how bad certain situations could be for a female head coach if they were put in charge of a team of players with attitude problems already. Imagine if the Suns tried hiring a female head coach from outside of the organization to coach when the Morris brothers were here, for example. That could have been a disaster.

 

[sunsfan88]

That's why following Pop with the Spurs would be best for her. I do have my concerns about a female coach being able to handle testosterone driven 18-20 year olds with millions in their bank accounts. It seems to me that it will take more mature players to handle that for the first time.

Are there any female head coaches of men's teams in the NCAA div one?

McDonough said he’s not planning on keeping bringing in 18-20 year olds and will bring in vets this summer.

The only immature player I can see doing something like disrespecting the coach because of her gender is Chriss because he’s a true idiot but hopefully he isn’t on the team past the summer.

 

[BC867]

I try to keep an open mind. It has nothing to do with sex. IMO, a team with a successful track record should be the team to make the next step.

Of course if Hammond was hired, I would support her 100%.

In general, I'd be thrilled to see our team make such a move ... if they were on a path to prominence with a solid foundation.

But with eight years out of the playoffs, we need to stop experimenting and take solid steps forward. Otherwise, it would be viewed as the Phoenix Suns and their latest gimmick.

SSOL-no D; 7.5 player rotations; 3 lead Point Guards; 3 lead Centers; inexperienced GM's; constant Head Coach changes (including a few games into the season); overloaded with young players and those past their prime, with very little in between.

 

[sunsfan88]

Can we get a poll up for this?

Tony Bennett or Jay Wright would be my choice.

 

[Phrazbit]

Jay Wright is my top choice.

And I wouldn't even consider Tony Bennett. I'd rip my eyes out if I had to watch 82 games of what he calls "offense".

 

[overseascardfan]

I know posters on the board feel Wright is a pipe dream with Sarver here but if PHX offers him $6M - $7M a year he could have a hard time saying no unless NOVA is willing to pay him that much.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Jay Wright is my top choice.

And I wouldn't even consider Tony Bennett. I'd rip my eyes out if I had to watch 82 games of what he calls "offense".

Jay Wright would be at the top of my list if I was interested in a college coach but I'm not sure I'd like to go that direction. But I am sure that Bennett would be a horrible choice. You never know what will happen when you take a winning coach from college and give him the reins in the NBA. But there is nothing about Bennett's collegiate success that suggests the NBA is the right place for him IMO.

 

[GatorAZ]

Jay Wright would be at the top of my list if I was interested in a college coach but I'm not sure I'd like to go that direction. But I am sure that Bennett would be a horrible choice. You never know what will happen when you take a winning coach from college and give him the reins in the NBA. But there is nothing about Bennett's collegiate success that suggests the NBA is the right place for him IMO.

I was intrigued when Gambo brought him up. Tony Bennett is definitely an elite coach that overachieves with his talent. No idea how he’d translate but I think he’s mesh well with the young players. Jay Wright is definitely #1.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I was intrigued when Gambo brought him up. Tony Bennett is definitely an elite coach that overachieves with his talent. No idea how he’d translate but I think he’s mesh well with the young players. Jay Wright is definitely #1.

Does he? He certainly makes the most of his talent during the regular season but he's been unremarkable in postseason. He doesn't get the 'one and dones' but he does get solid B level ACC talent and keeps them for 3 or 4 years. And if we really want a coach to start beating teams 72 to 69 I'd rather just bring Mike Fratello out of retirement.

 

[Mainstreet]

I will keep an open mind about college coaches but I would prefer a head coach with experience on the NBA level like Fizdale, Kokoskov or Messina.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I will keep an open mind about college coaches but I would prefer a head coach with experience on the NBA level like Fizdale, Kokoskov or Messina.

I really don't know who I want but someone I haven't heard mentioned that might interest me is Dana Altman.

 

[Mainstreet]

I really don't know who I want but someone I haven't heard mentioned that might interest me is Dana Altman.

I guess if we are going to look for a college coach, he can be added to the list.

He has a nice resume.

 

[Dback Jon]

Jay Wright is my top choice.

And I wouldn't even consider Tony Bennett. I'd rip my eyes out if I had to watch 82 games of what he calls "offense".

Yup

 

[GatorAZ]

Does he? He certainly makes the most of his talent during the regular season but he's been unremarkable in postseason. He doesn't get the 'one and dones' but he does get solid B level ACC talent and keeps them for 3 or 4 years. And if we really want a coach to start beating teams 72 to 69 I'd rather just bring Mike Fratello out of retirement.

Since coming to Virginia he’s won the ACC more times than Coach K with 17 less draft picks. They flame out in March but he gets the most out of his players.

 

[GatorAZ]

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We’d win the team picture championship fo sho...

 

[Phrazbit]

Since coming to Virginia he’s won the ACC more times than Coach K with 17 less draft picks. They flame out in March but he gets the most out of his players.

They flame out in March because he plays a very rigid style that demands a slow paced grind of a game. If they're forced to come from behind they fall apart. I do not see his coaching style being successful in the modern NBA. Steve compared him perfectly, he is the NCAA's Mike Fratello.