Suns Coaching Search

[Indy]

I want D'Antoni too. Very interested in what he can do with Booker and Warren.

DAntoni is the worst choice for young players.

Obviously you need to make sure he is ok with this type of long term plan

I don't think the plan is "long term." The Suns are still chasing quick fixes and building on a flawed foundation.

It's so fucking sad.

And completely unavoidable. They are just so scared to do what it right because they may lose fans due to how long it takes, they keep losing fans for being in perpetual lower mediocrity.

[OE32]

I'm having a hard time understanding what the haters are advocating exactly. Moving Knight, Bledsoe and Chandler for nothing? Tanking next season? Somehow I don't think that would quiet the discord. Please help me out; I don't understand what is being recommended.

[carey]

I'm having a hard time understanding what the haters are advocating exactly. Moving Knight, Bledsoe and Chandler for nothing? Tanking next season? Somehow I don't think that would quiet the discord. Please help me out; I don't understand what is being recommended.

I want to move Knight because I don't like his basketball game. His recent comments also show that he wouldn't be satisfied coming off the bench next season. I see an IT situation all over again, only this guy is paid $14M and actually was a starter for most of his career. I don't want to see Booker playing SF. He isn't one. I don't really understand McDonough's aversion to playing guys at their actual positions. I think McDonough is taking the concept of the game moving towards position-less basketball a little too seriously.

I want to move forward with a Bledsoe-Booker backcourt. I think Booker covers for Eric's deficiencies. You can run the pick & roll through him in the 4th quarter which is where we've had the biggest problem with Eric's ball-handling and decision making. There's nothing you can do about Knight's chucking though. He's a guy that is in love with taking the long two or three early in the shot clock because he's "feeling it." That's great and all, but he's not Steph Curry.

I don't mind Tyson Chandler staying on the team. He had a lot of stinkers but also some fairly decent games. I'd prefer to move him for more pressing needs and to allow Len to start unimpeded. I do like the idea of having Chandler as a safety net behind Len, albeit a very expensive one, but I know Chandler feels like he's still a starter in the league. If he can be moved for pieces that can help the team I'd probably do it though.

I think the team should look radically different next season. Judging by McDonough's recent comments it seems that won't be the case. The Suns are going nowhere if we add a pick outside of the top 2 and keep everything the same.

[OE32]

I'm having a hard time understanding what the haters are advocating exactly. Moving Knight, Bledsoe and Chandler for nothing? Tanking next season? Somehow I don't think that would quiet the discord. Please help me out; I don't understand what is being recommended.

I want to move Knight because I don't like his basketball game. His recent comments also show that he wouldn't be satisfied coming off the bench next season. I see an IT situation all over again, only this guy is paid $14M and actually was a starter for most of his career. I don't want to see Booker playing SF. He isn't one. I don't really understand McDonough's aversion to playing guys at their actual positions. I think McDonough is taking the concept of the game moving towards position-less basketball a little too seriously.

I want to move forward with a Bledsoe-Booker backcourt. I think Booker covers for Eric's deficiencies. You can run the pick & roll through him in the 4th quarter which is where we've had the biggest problem with Eric's ball-handling and decision making. There's nothing you can do about Knight's chucking though. He's a guy that is in love with taking the long two or three early in the shot clock because he's "feeling it." That's great and all, but he's not Steph Curry.

I don't mind Tyson Chandler staying on the team. He had a lot of stinkers but also some fairly decent games. I'd prefer to move him for more pressing needs and to allow Len to start unimpeded. I do like the idea of having Chandler as a safety net behind Len, albeit a very expensive one, but I know Chandler feels like he's still a starter in the league. If he can be moved for pieces that can help the team I'd probably do it though.

I think the team should look radically different next season. Judging by McDonough's recent comments it seems that won't be the case. The Suns are going nowhere if we add a pick outside of the top 2 and keep everything the same.

I agree with moving Knight. I don't think there's any good reason to use this tactic a third time - keeping a guy who doesn't want to be here in order to get him to aggravate for a trade, so that we can invite offers without having to say that we actually want to move the player in question. We've now used it three times and received four drafts picks using that tactic. But it's time to move from asset collection to team building. Now.

As I've said, though, I wouldn't take McDonough's comments too seriously. I will have my doubts, however, if we keep Knight. I think there will be trades out there that make sense for us. For instance, if the Kings were amenable to trading the #8 for Knight, if no better offer was on the table, we should take it, even though we would have little choice but to move that or another pick. Even if it was a poo-poo platter from the Knicks or the Nets, if those players would better suit our team, I'd be interested. I myself will start to turn on McD if Knight is still here next season - it would be a step too far.

[Indy]

I'm having a hard time understanding what the haters are advocating exactly. Moving Knight, Bledsoe and Chandler for nothing? Tanking next season? Somehow I don't think that would quiet the discord. Please help me out; I don't understand what is being recommended.

I want to move Knight because I don't like his basketball game. His recent comments also show that he wouldn't be satisfied coming off the bench next season. I see an IT situation all over again, only this guy is paid $14M and actually was a starter for most of his career. I don't want to see Booker playing SF. He isn't one. I don't really understand McDonough's aversion to playing guys at their actual positions. I think McDonough is taking the concept of the game moving towards position-less basketball a little too seriously.

I want to move forward with a Bledsoe-Booker backcourt. I think Booker covers for Eric's deficiencies. You can run the pick & roll through him in the 4th quarter which is where we've had the biggest problem with Eric's ball-handling and decision making. There's nothing you can do about Knight's chucking though. He's a guy that is in love with taking the long two or three early in the shot clock because he's "feeling it." That's great and all, but he's not Steph Curry.

I don't mind Tyson Chandler staying on the team. He had a lot of stinkers but also some fairly decent games. I'd prefer to move him for more pressing needs and to allow Len to start unimpeded. I do like the idea of having Chandler as a safety net behind Len, albeit a very expensive one, but I know Chandler feels like he's still a starter in the league. If he can be moved for pieces that can help the team I'd probably do it though.

I think the team should look radically different next season. Judging by McDonough's recent comments it seems that won't be the case. The Suns are going nowhere if we add a pick outside of the top 2 and keep everything the same.

Exactly. I agree, except the Bledsoe part. I don't think we need to start having Booker cover for a mediocre PG this early in his career. It's like playing him out of position to me.

I don't think this team is anywhere close to "well assembled" and that is after 3 years under McD. It should be closer to coming together after that time. But Sarver hired another guy to do a job for the first time, and it isn't working out. It's a pattern.

[Superbone]

This upcoming year is a big one for McDonough. If it's more of the same, I'll be very disappointed. It's time to put a winning basketball team together. No more disjointed parts. His first year was pretty good but then he screwed it up the following year. I'm mostly happy with his drafting but so far his team building has a lot to be desired.

[pickle]

If we can move Knight for the King's pick in next year's draft, I'd do it. I don't necessarily want it from this year.

[Superbone]

Congratulations to coach Watson. (Based on Indy's intel.) Here's to you having a better team next year. (Knight gone.)

[Superbone]

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/ ... -coach-job

Earl is no Lindsey

By the end of 2012-13, none of the players stumped for Hunter to come back the next year. In fact, most of them were skeptical they'd be back themselves. But even those who expected to return were ambivalent about the coach.

It's very different with Earl Watson.

To a man, and without exception, the Suns players love interim coach Earl Watson. They talk about how he calmed the storm and helped them focus on basketball, allowing them to keep up their spirits up.

Jon Leuer and Mirza 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. Young players, like Alex Len, talked glowingly about Watson's ability to keep them competitive despite the struggles with so many injuries.

[Superbone]

From the same article:

He might not be fully formed yet as a coach, but he's making progress. He said one of his biggest developments in two months is that he can now draw up plays in the huddle (something Hunter never did in 2013).

But this version of Earl Watson is more of a motivational guy - perfect for a young team that needs to commit to a process, and a program. And that ought to be what the 2016-17 Suns focus on, given that Booker and this year's draft pick would ideally be the new faces of the franchise with long-term future in the valley.

I agree fully. Just right for this young team and they can grow together.

[Indy]

Just right for this young team and they can grow together.

Do you think the org will let him? They keep talking about playoffs next year. That is just setting him up for failure.

I have said over and over again that he is the right motivator/philosopher for a young team. He just doesn't have the basketball chops. I would be delighted if they came along over the summer, but I can't just assume they will since he hasn't shown any indication it will.

[JCSunsfan]

Just right for this young team and they can grow together.

Do you think the org will let him? They keep talking about playoffs next year. That is just setting him up for failure.

I have said over and over again that he is the right motivator/philosopher for a young team. He just doesn't have the basketball chops. I would be delighted if they came along over the summer, but I can't just assume they will since he hasn't shown any indication it will.

Maybe he has the smarts to hire a seasoned assistant along side. People think about how great Phil Jackson was, but he was much more of a philosopher, motivator, psychologist. Tex Winter was the basketball mind that followed him wherever he went.

[Indy]

Just right for this young team and they can grow together.

Do you think the org will let him? They keep talking about playoffs next year. That is just setting him up for failure.

I have said over and over again that he is the right motivator/philosopher for a young team. He just doesn't have the basketball chops. I would be delighted if they came along over the summer, but I can't just assume they will since he hasn't shown any indication it will.

Maybe he has the smarts to hire a seasoned assistant along side. People think about how great Phil Jackson was, but he was much more of a philosopher, motivator, psychologist. Tex Winter was the basketball mind that followed him wherever he went.

I would support that. Just not sure who that is. They said that about Hill but I didn't see it.

[djy2j]

And after interviewing exactly zero other candidates: "Earl Watson was the best yes man for the job,"~ probably Robert Sarver

[EDC]

I just can't see how Watson with almost no experience can be the best coach available. Why put a better coach as his assistant? Why not just hire that guy to be the coach instead? There a lot more current assistant coaches in this league with more coaching experience and skill than Watson. Just because he was at the end of the bench after the Suns fired the first two assistants and the head coach doesn't mean we should keep him around.

It is sad because it isn't just that we are going for cheap coaches. We are going for the cheap and easy choice. If we are forced to be cheap at least get the best first time head coach that we can find. I guess that would take actual effort though. They would have to interview people and all that. What a hassle.

[ShelC]

So we're trusting our young team that needs to develop with a coach who also needs to develop?

Would you let your kid take driving lessons with a teacher who has only a learner's permit?

Would you let a 1st year resident teach a medical course to freshmen?

I'm thoroughly underwhelmed and disgusted by this. But, not surprised either. I predict 31 wins next year.

[The Bobster]

"He met all the requirement$ we were looking for."

I am completely underwhelmed.

[Superbone]

So we're trusting our young team that needs to develop with a coach who also needs to develop?

Would you let your kid take driving lessons with a teacher who has only a learner's permit?

Would you let a 1st year resident teach a medical course to freshmen?

I'm thoroughly underwhelmed and disgusted by this. But, not surprised either. I predict 31 wins next year.

I know some of us think basketball is love and death but it's not.

[JCSunsfan]

And after interviewing exactly zero other candidates: "Earl Watson was the best yes man for the job,"~ probably Robert Sarver

Its not like they didn't know who the other candidates were or what their track record was. Word was that EVERY player on the Suns roster came to McD and told him that they not only they supported Watson, but that he is clearly the guy, and it would be mistake to choose anyone else.

After all the turmoil on this team, it would be easy to see why that would have a great influence.

[Superbone]

And after interviewing exactly zero other candidates: "Earl Watson was the best yes man for the job,"~ probably Robert Sarver

Its not like they didn't know who the other candidates were or what their track record was. Word was that EVERY player on the Suns roster came to McD and told him that they not only they supported Watson, but that he is clearly the guy, and it would be mistake to choose anyone else.

After all the turmoil on this team, it would be easy to see why that would have a great influence.

Yep.