Suns Coach 2018-19

[Split T]

Jazz fans I know love him. I've heard nothing but positive things from Gentry, Dudley, Dragic, Doncic. He's had a lot of success internationally, including winning the European championship with Slovenia last year.

I don't actually know how good he's going to be, but I haven't heard anything negative about him. Other potential guys have some concerns IMO.

[Ring_Wanted]

He led Slovenia to a Eurobasket title. Is part of the current succesful Jazz. Peers like Gentry speak very well of him. Former PHX assistant coach and part of the 7SOL system. Lauded by his offense.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Just listened to the Marc Stein interview on AZ Sports radio and I think you guys are right that Fizdale is the one. Now listening to Gambo and he said the Suns were ready to offer Budenholzer the job but after talking to Sarver one-on-one, he withdrew his name. That raises a red flag.

Not really, it could also mean that Budenholzer tried to pull a power move with the owner when the room was clear.

“ok Robert, I want to be in charge of the entire operation but I can wait for you to fire McD and Jones during the off-season, are we clear?”

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Jazz fans I know love him. I've heard nothing but positive things from Gentry, Dudley, Dragic, Doncic. He's had a lot of success internationally, including winning the European championship with Slovenia last year.

I don't actually know how good he's going to be, but I haven't heard anything negative about him. Other potential guys have some concerns IMO.

Coul picking him be a sign that we are going after Doncic?

[England Sun]

Nepotism is never ‘due diligence’.

If Fiz is the best guy through interview then great, hire him.
If it is a half arsed way to bring in someone with connections and they haven’t interviewed properly then screw the pair of them.
For me it is between Fiz and Kos, but I want them interviewed and judged on merit and not James Jones say so.

[ShelC]

Completely agree.

[Superbone]

Dudley puts in a good word for Kokoskov:

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 539076002/

[UglyTruth]

What is the appeal of Kokoskov exactly? What do you guys like most about him? Not attacking the guy, just honestly asking. I haven't really heard much good or bad about him either way so I don't have a lot of excitement about him so far.

He’s a really good Xs and Os guy. Brilliant mind, has a great offensive philosophy.

He’s a complete unknown when it comes to defense but the hope is that he learned a thing or two about defense from Snyder these past 3-4 years.

[UglyTruth]

For all the praise that people give Fizdale for his first season with Memphis, has anyone actually looked to see the Grizz record?

They went 43-39....just 4 games above .500.

Let’s stop assuming like he had some magnificent season there despite having a playoff roster.

[UglyTruth]

Yeah, its been Fizdale for me since he was fired. Totally fine with it too, I dig the whole "heat culture" thing, we need something that isnt hugs and bad attitudes.

Yeah he did a great job with that with the only superstar player (Marc) he’s coached in HC capacity.

Were you being facetious?

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/04/20/rum ... d-fizdale/

Yes I was being sarcastic.

He also reportedly talked crap behind Gasol’s back to his teammates and then Gasol found out which is when they started having problems.

[Mori Chu]

They're saying that Terry Stotts may get fired in Portland due to the sweep. I think I'd prefer him over Fizdale or Kokoskov. Hope we delay the coaching search a bit to give him a look.

[Danimal]

They're saying that Terry Stotts may get fired in Portland due to the sweep. I think I'd prefer him over Fizdale or Kokoskov. Hope we delay the coaching search a bit to give him a look.

He seems like a decent coach but then again didn't we try and roll out a Portland style offense the last two years with little success?

Is Clifford on the Skiles me level of hardass coach? If so I just worry about a Slight lift in our play followed by coach fatigue.

I didn't mind Fizdale as an option but the clashing with a star thing slightly worried me.

Orlando always had s crappy roster so I don't know what to make of. Vogel. He seemed decent in Indiana.

Kokosakov intrigues me a little as an under the radar option.
First time HC so Sarver likely wouldn't have to pay him so much. Should be able to sell him to the fan base in terms of since he left has been an assistant on a successful team and had great international experience


One thing, I hate when they ask our current players opinions on who they want as coach. I don't care who they want, it's about who they need - player development, accountability and learning good team basketball. I remember them all saying they wanted to Watson. Well They haven't won jack, worst team in the league , so who cares what they want.
Reminds me of the hubie brown coach when he took over the grizzlies. It was along the lines of "You guys are losers. If you weren't, the other guy would still be here. But I'm going to teach you all how to be winners."

[Danimal]

There is a part of me that keeps saying, as long as we get a coach who teaches watchable basketball, I'll be ok.

[Mori Chu]

If we want to be good, I don't see why we keep hiring people with such little experience. And then we're surprised when it is bumpy. At least Fizdale has been a head coach before.

[O_Gardino]

Just listened to the Marc Stein interview on AZ Sports radio and I think you guys are right that Fizdale is the one. Now listening to Gambo and he said the Suns were ready to offer Budenholzer the job but after talking to Sarver one-on-one, he withdrew his name. That raises a red flag.

Not really, it could also mean that Budenholzer tried to pull a power move with the owner when the room was clear.

“ok Robert, I want to be in charge of the entire operation but I can wait for you to fire McD and Jones during the off-season, are we clear?”

That's fair. We really don't know. But Sarver has a rep of being very difficult to work with, and Bud has a rep as a great professional.

[O_Gardino]

Only 3 candidates have interviewed in person. The rest have all been phone interviews.

The 3 that interviewed in person are Bud, Triano and Fizdale.

Bud is out. That leaves Fizdale & Triano. Triano has no connections to the Suns FO while Fizdale is the best buddy of Suns Vice President of Basketball Ops, James Jones.

It doesn’t take smart man (I’m not one) to figure out that David Fizdale will be the next Suns HC.(barring any future in person interviews).

Everything else is just smokescreen to make it seem like we’re doing “due diligence” rather than going with James Jones best friend AND the coaching candidate who cost among the least $$$ for Sarver.

Wouldn't surprise me, but my god, I hate everything about it. Jones and Fiz are both guys (IMHO) that are in their positions because of their p[personalities, not their ability. I'm not looking forward to the James Jones era, and I don't believe in Fiz as a coach at all.

[JCSunsfan]

Just hire Kokoskov and move on. He is young. He is smart. He develops players. Everyone respects him. He has had a good run as a head coach. This is the top of the heap for the Suns. Quit dinking around and hire the guy.

[jonh]

Just hire Kokoskov and move on. He is young. He is smart. He develops players. Everyone respects him. He has had a good run as a head coach. This is the top of the heap for the Suns. Quit dinking around and hire the guy.

How much of an improvement does he really offer above Triano? If it is a lateral move, would it make more sense to push for consistency?

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Just listened to the Marc Stein interview on AZ Sports radio and I think you guys are right that Fizdale is the one. Now listening to Gambo and he said the Suns were ready to offer Budenholzer the job but after talking to Sarver one-on-one, he withdrew his name. That raises a red flag.

Not really, it could also mean that Budenholzer tried to pull a power move with the owner when the room was clear.

“ok Robert, I want to be in charge of the entire operation but I can wait for you to fire McD and Jones during the off-season, are we clear?”

That's fair. We really don't know. But Sarver has a rep of being very difficult to work with, and Bud has a rep as a great professional.

Bud interviewing with the Knicks (DOLAN) makes me doubt about how much he cares about the owner’s character on his decision making process this time around.

[Split T]

If we want to be good, I don't see why we keep hiring people with such little experience. And then we're surprised when it is bumpy. At least Fizdale has been a head coach before.

Triano had more head coach experience than fizdale. Fizdale has 101 games of head coach experience..not a lot. He's got a 50-51 career record. More experience than Kokoskov, who only has international head coach experience, but barely. Fizdales 1 season would not be a determining factor to me. The fact he lasted only a season and a quarter is concerning.