The Next Head Coach

[jcsunsfan]

I always knew there was something wrong with his coaching. He always kept playing his best players and tried to win games. Why would anyone have him as coach? I guess all you need to do is play youngsters, after all that is how Popovich coaches. Phil Jackson is another great example of playing rookies.

I guess I just wasn't as observant as you were. I missed all of those great players that just sat on the bench while he coached in Phoenix.

I know for sure that you did not watch more games than I watched or more minutes of action than I did during his tenure in Phoenix. I watched every minute, no exception.

By the way, I would appreciate a list of the guys that Mike did not play along with their accomplishments with other teams after they left the Suns. I am sure other coaches realized their potential and coached them up. How many of those guys signed max contracts after they left the Suns?

I was thrilled to be reminded about how he missed out on that hall of famer Jordan Hill. Hill is having a great year this year. He is at 8.9 points per game. That is above his career average of 8.0 per game. Yeah Mike really missed on that potential hall of famer. That guy has turned into a real player. He has how many all star teams? I think it is several. I also have heard he is considered a first ballot hall of famer when he gets nominated.

I want to see more examples of how MDA mismanaged youngsters in both NYK and Los Angeles.

Give me some more examples.

I can't wait.

OK. I don't think I need to say any more. This type of sarcasm is no argument. I am fine with letting anyone who wants read those two posts and decide which way they would prefer to go.

It is far more than sarcasm. It is highlighting the facts, which you seem to ignore or twist to fit your argument.

The boys at PhxSuns.net are not buying your arguments either. They provide the facts, not just their opinion. It is more than one of them as well. You seem to be the lone ranger over there. JMO

I love the give and take over there, even when we disagree. My point is that DAntoni is not likely to develop young players. He is a win now coach, which is fine, but not the best for the Suns situation. There is nothing in your post that refutes that claim.

[Krush32]

I want Watson to stay. I want some sort of fluidity and a solid foundation to stay. Coaches grow as teams grow, and Watson has done a good job as his first opportunity as head coach.

Cannot judge Watson on the criteria of Wins and Losses, but as by instilling a positive culture within the team- which I believe he has done. He relates well to the players and he is respected by the locker room, and also the league.

Although he might not be the most "elite" candidate for the job, or may not have the most impressive resume, but the last thing this team needs is another unknown from the outside. This team needs consistency, which will not happen if we keep running staff through the organisation like a turnstile.

I agree. He has developed a close relationship with Booker and this team. Developing our young guys should be our main goal and a veteran coach is less likely to play young guys/rookies...especially with 3 1st rd picks this year. He has done a good job at putting Booker and Len in a position to succeed. I am eager to see what he can do for TJ Warren and our incoming rookies. He said he was brought in specifically to help Bledsoe and I think Bled showed pretty good improvement before he got hurt again.

Also, I love hearing him speak. Earl Is a very intelligent person and he always makes me feel more optimistic about this team. Tyson vouched for him on a national radio station and said Earl would be a "great" coach in the league someday. I might even run through a wall for him if he told me too. Breaking up that bond would be another step back in my eyes.

[lilfishi22]

I feel like I've flip-flopped on this issue mainly because I think he's a good communicator especially to our young guys and he seems to focus on our youth but I just don't know about him as a coach. He hasn't been around the elite coaching side of things for very long (only signed on this past offseason) and I just question whether he has the experience to not only handle critical sitautions but also be able to motivate and communicate a plan in those high stress situations. For me, he seems like a great guy, a player's coach and I just feel like we've had that with Hornacek. Horny had all the same positive attributes as Watson, except he's played at a higher level (during his heyday) and he's played under and coached next to one of the great coaches in NBA history. He's also seen as a great guy, a true player's coach and what he lacked were some of the finer points of coaching like rotations, game planning and he ended up losing guy's respect in the end when players stop believing in him.

All the positives we've seen from Hornacek early on, they are present in Watson now. All the negatives we've seen from Hornacek have not and may never present itself in Watson but we'll just have to wait and see. My only reason for wanting a new coach is that I think this team could benefit from a change in coaching style (something a little more disciplinarian). However, the number of available coaching candidates are slim so I would be in favor of keeping Watson on if that's the plan.

[Puff]

OK. I don't think I need to say any more. This type of sarcasm is no argument. I am fine with letting anyone who wants read those two posts and decide which way they would prefer to go.

It is far more than sarcasm. It is highlighting the facts, which you seem to ignore or twist to fit your argument.

The boys at PhxSuns.net are not buying your arguments either. They provide the facts, not just their opinion. It is more than one of them as well. You seem to be the lone ranger over there. JMO

I love the give and take over there, even when we disagree. My point is that DAntoni is not likely to develop young players. He is a win now coach, which is fine, but not the best for the Suns situation. There is nothing in your post that refutes that claim.

You are like all the other D'Antoni critics. When asked to provide back up to your criticism you really have no answers.

I asked what rookie he didn't play that was worth a hoot when he didn't play him or turned into something really good with another coach.

You came up with the GREAT Jordan Hill.

Give a name of anyone, from the Suns, Knicks or Lakers that he didn't play, that averaged more than Jordan Hill's 8 points per game anytime in his career.

Everyone except Nash and Marion were considered unproven youngsters when he arrived in Phoenix. He was the coach during the early development of Amare, Joe Johnson, LB, Boris and Raja Bell had his biggest success under MDA. He had no youngsters in New York, unless you count the great Jordan Hill until just prior to the Carmelo acquisition. He was in the process of developing them into a pretty good team with the great Raymond Felton at point guard when they traded all the youngsters for Carmelo Anthony.

Quite frankly nothing but your made up facts substantiates any part of your claim. If you do not have youngsters to develop, how can you develop them? Your argument really makes no sense. I expect he is the best possible coach on this planet for Devin Booker. I also think he would make both Bledsoe and Knight much better than they are. I am not so sure about Warren but he for sure would give him the opportunity to succeed. I hope I am wrong but I have real concerns about Alex Len's future under any coach.

I repeat, I want names of those players he did not develop other than Jordan Hill. That seems to be your major beef. Don't change the subject, just answer the question. I really want to know who those guys were. Remember the rule, they had to have averaged more than 8 points per game and don't change the subject.

I though so..............................

[Krush32]

I feel like I've flip-flopped on this issue mainly because I think he's a good communicator especially to our young guys and he seems to focus on our youth but I just don't know about him as a coach. He hasn't been around the elite coaching side of things for very long (only signed on this past offseason) and I just question whether he has the experience to not only handle critical sitautions but also be able to motivate and communicate a plan in those high stress situations. For me, he seems like a great guy, a player's coach and I just feel like we've had that with Hornacek. Horny had all the same positive attributes as Watson, except he's played at a higher level (during his heyday) and he's played under and coached next to one of the great coaches in NBA history. He's also seen as a great guy, a true player's coach and what he lacked were some of the finer points of coaching like rotations, game planning and he ended up losing guy's respect in the end when players stop believing in him.

All the positives we've seen from Hornacek early on, they are present in Watson now. All the negatives we've seen from Hornacek have not and may never present itself in Watson but we'll just have to wait and see. My only reason for wanting a new coach is that I think this team could benefit from a change in coaching style (something a little more disciplinarian). However, the number of available coaching candidates are slim so I would be in favor of keeping Watson on if that's the plan.

Hornecek didnt seem like much of a players coach. I dont think he had a good relationship with the players and his communication skills werent the best. You can tell when he gets interviewed that he isnt really a people person. He could be a good coach on a team more suited to his style (more fundamental and smart).

[lilfishi22]

Hornecek didnt seem like much of a players coach. I dont think he had a good relationship with the players and his communication skills werent the best. You can tell when he gets interviewed that he isnt really a people person. He could be a good coach on a team more suited to his style (more fundamental and smart).

Gonna have to disagree

Towards the end of his time with the Suns there were definitely some communication issues which led to some less than positive relationships with his players. However, from the beginning he was lauded as an excellent communicator and a player's coach.

This is following his 48-win season.

Hornacek kept that formula balanced with an experience that belied his label of “rookie coach.” Fourteen years as a player - including an All-Star appearance, two trips to the NBA Finals and over nearly 90 percent of his games as a starter – had him far ahead of the typical coach’s curve.

“It’s cliché, but he’s a player’s coach,” Miles Plumlee said. “He’s a player himself. When he tells his stuff, we know it’s not some horse crap. It’s because he did this and he won and he was a great competitor in this league. He knows.”

“He understands the game because he played that game,” Dragic added. “That makes it even easier for us because he understands us.”

X’s and O’s matter, but so does the person drawing them up. Too much basketball and too little personality can make for an arduous coach.

Somehow, Hornacek found the invisible line between boss and buddy – and mastered hwen to cross it.

“He’s not only a coach for us, he’s a friend, too,” Dragic said. “He talks with us a lot. He communicates with us. He’s making jokes. That’s what brings players and coaches closer.”

“He also doesn’t trip about things that sometimes don’t matter,” Plumlee added. “I think players respect that. The biggest thing was I think he had so much respect from us right off the bat. He took that and brought us together and really built a lot of confidence in a team that a lot of people thought wouldn’t be very good.”

Confidence now builds willingness later. At some point during the season, the head coach needs to know his players will rise to the occasion, especially when he issues a specific request.

It’s safe to say he’s won at least that much from his players.

“For Jeff, even if I had one leg, I would play for him because he gave me a lot,” Dragic said.

Perhaps that style doesn't fly when the team is losing and there's conflicts between your 3 highest paid players all vying for the same role and maybe in those situation you need a stern disciplinarian. We're certainly not there yet with Watson but for anyone to suggest he is somewhat a breath of fresh air compared to the coach he replaced, would be forgetting history.

[bwgood77]

It is far more than sarcasm. It is highlighting the facts, which you seem to ignore or twist to fit your argument.

The boys at PhxSuns.net are not buying your arguments either. They provide the facts, not just their opinion. It is more than one of them as well. You seem to be the lone ranger over there. JMO

I love the give and take over there, even when we disagree. My point is that DAntoni is not likely to develop young players. He is a win now coach, which is fine, but not the best for the Suns situation. There is nothing in your post that refutes that claim.

You are like all the other D'Antoni critics. When asked to provide back up to your criticism you really have no answers.

I asked what rookie he didn't play that was worth a hoot when he didn't play him or turned into something really good with another coach.

You came up with the GREAT Jordan Hill.

Give a name of anyone, from the Suns, Knicks or Lakers that he didn't play, that averaged more than Jordan Hill's 8 points per game anytime in his career.

Everyone except Nash and Marion were considered unproven youngsters when he arrived in Phoenix. He was the coach during the early development of Amare, Joe Johnson, LB, Boris and Raja Bell had his biggest success under MDA. He had no youngsters in New York, unless you count the great Jordan Hill until just prior to the Carmelo acquisition. He was in the process of developing them into a pretty good team with the great Raymond Felton at point guard when they traded all the youngsters for Carmelo Anthony.

Quite frankly nothing but your made up facts substantiates any part of your claim. If you do not have youngsters to develop, how can you develop them? Your argument really makes no sense. I expect he is the best possible coach on this planet for Devin Booker. I also think he would make both Bledsoe and Knight much better than they are. I am not so sure about Warren but he for sure would give him the opportunity to succeed. I hope I am wrong but I have real concerns about Alex Len's future under any coach.

I repeat, I want names of those players he did not develop other than Jordan Hill. That seems to be your major beef. Don't change the subject, just answer the question. I really want to know who those guys were. Remember the rule, they had to have averaged more than 8 points per game and don't change the subject.

I though so..............................

Man, you REALLY like D'Antoni, and so do I, but you also REALLY like to argue about him. A lot of people don't like him, and they likely are not going to change their minds. JC just doesn't think he is right for this team right now. It sounds like he is done with the argument, and I think everyone here understands both of your points, if they read it all. So I don't see a real need to continue with a big argument on this subject.

[jcsunsfan]

Hornecek didnt seem like much of a players coach. I dont think he had a good relationship with the players and his communication skills werent the best. You can tell when he gets interviewed that he isnt really a people person. He could be a good coach on a team more suited to his style (more fundamental and smart).

Gonna have to disagree

Towards the end of his time with the Suns there were definitely some communication issues which led to some less than positive relationships with his players. However, from the beginning he was lauded as an excellent communicator and a player's coach.

This is following his 48-win season.

Hornacek kept that formula balanced with an experience that belied his label of “rookie coach.” Fourteen years as a player - including an All-Star appearance, two trips to the NBA Finals and over nearly 90 percent of his games as a starter – had him far ahead of the typical coach’s curve.

“It’s cliché, but he’s a player’s coach,” Miles Plumlee said. “He’s a player himself. When he tells his stuff, we know it’s not some horse crap. It’s because he did this and he won and he was a great competitor in this league. He knows.”

“He understands the game because he played that game,” Dragic added. “That makes it even easier for us because he understands us.”

X’s and O’s matter, but so does the person drawing them up. Too much basketball and too little personality can make for an arduous coach.

Somehow, Hornacek found the invisible line between boss and buddy – and mastered hwen to cross it.

“He’s not only a coach for us, he’s a friend, too,” Dragic said. “He talks with us a lot. He communicates with us. He’s making jokes. That’s what brings players and coaches closer.”

“He also doesn’t trip about things that sometimes don’t matter,” Plumlee added. “I think players respect that. The biggest thing was I think he had so much respect from us right off the bat. He took that and brought us together and really built a lot of confidence in a team that a lot of people thought wouldn’t be very good.”

Confidence now builds willingness later. At some point during the season, the head coach needs to know his players will rise to the occasion, especially when he issues a specific request.

It’s safe to say he’s won at least that much from his players.

“For Jeff, even if I had one leg, I would play for him because he gave me a lot,” Dragic said.

Perhaps that style doesn't fly when the team is losing and there's conflicts between your 3 highest paid players all vying for the same role and maybe in those situation you need a stern disciplinarian. We're certainly not there yet with Watson but for anyone to suggest he is somewhat a breath of fresh air compared to the coach he replaced, would be forgetting history.

It seems everyone was happy then. Of course I think they all thought they were better than they actually were. Things changed the next year.

Marcus, Archie, and IT were added. Bledsoe was playing with his new contract and Goran was an impending agent. Also Frye was gone.

I wonder if Goran felt that IT was signed for negotiating leverage for mgmt in his impending free agency? Certainly he did not like the sg role he had to play with Bledsoe on the court or the fact that IT handled the ball when Bled was sitting.

That mix of personnel would be tough to handle for any coach.


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[Puff]

I love the give and take over there, even when we disagree. My point is that DAntoni is not likely to develop young players. He is a win now coach, which is fine, but not the best for the Suns situation. There is nothing in your post that refutes that claim.

You are like all the other D'Antoni critics. When asked to provide back up to your criticism you really have no answers.

I asked what rookie he didn't play that was worth a hoot when he didn't play him or turned into something really good with another coach.

You came up with the GREAT Jordan Hill.

Give a name of anyone, from the Suns, Knicks or Lakers that he didn't play, that averaged more than Jordan Hill's 8 points per game anytime in his career.

Everyone except Nash and Marion were considered unproven youngsters when he arrived in Phoenix. He was the coach during the early development of Amare, Joe Johnson, LB, Boris and Raja Bell had his biggest success under MDA. He had no youngsters in New York, unless you count the great Jordan Hill until just prior to the Carmelo acquisition. He was in the process of developing them into a pretty good team with the great Raymond Felton at point guard when they traded all the youngsters for Carmelo Anthony.

Quite frankly nothing but your made up facts substantiates any part of your claim. If you do not have youngsters to develop, how can you develop them? Your argument really makes no sense. I expect he is the best possible coach on this planet for Devin Booker. I also think he would make both Bledsoe and Knight much better than they are. I am not so sure about Warren but he for sure would give him the opportunity to succeed. I hope I am wrong but I have real concerns about Alex Len's future under any coach.

I repeat, I want names of those players he did not develop other than Jordan Hill. That seems to be your major beef. Don't change the subject, just answer the question. I really want to know who those guys were. Remember the rule, they had to have averaged more than 8 points per game and don't change the subject.

I though so..............................

Man, you REALLY like D'Antoni, and so do I, but you also REALLY like to argue about him. A lot of people don't like him, and they likely are not going to change their minds. JC just doesn't think he is right for this team right now. It sounds like he is done with the argument, and I think everyone here understands both of your points, if they read it all. So I don't see a real need to continue with a big argument on this subject.

Yeah I like him but I am not tied to him. I have moved on and really do not care who we get as coach as long as we see some good basketball in this town. The last time that happened was when Mike's system was in place with Gentry as coach (2010)

What I do not like is when his coaching is not fairly analyzed and false information is used to support their claims. I am sure there are legit x's and o's that he could have coached better. Managing playing time and playing the best players was never an issue with him, IMO. We all, yours truly included, at times wondered why he did not play certain players and why some players did not play more minutes. However none of the players he did not play had any success elsewhere. All of the players he played big minutes are still playing in the league today with the exception of Nash, the Matrix & Raja. Even Amare is getting minutes on a decent Miami team. Boris and LB will probably battle it out for the championship in May. I would love to see Joe Johnson and Goran upset Lebron. Mike obviously did not burn out those guys too badly.

It will be interesting to see who we end up with. I expect it will be Watson. If that is the case I certainly hope he has great success.

It is real tiresome rooting for a higher lottery pick. It makes us all grumpy. When your favorite team is anyone playing the Phoenix Suns, it is not fun.

[letsgosuns]

Gambo reported today the Suns are not interested in hiring an older coach like Thibodeau, Karl, D'antoni, McHale, etc., and instead are focused on hiring a teacher/developer type coach because they plan on having a young team. He mentioned Watson, Majerle, Blatt, Walton, Brooks, and possibly one of the Spurs assistants as candidates. I know Gambo has not been in the loop too often since McDonough took over but this seems plausible.

[Damkac]

So players development instead of playoffs pursuit?

[gaspar]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/720360104583778305[/tweet]

[DirtyDez]

Yeah, Watson will be the guy going forward. Plus they can get him on the cheap.

[gaspar]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/720671832399949824[/tweet]

[rsavaj]

wish list

1) Thibs
2) Messina
3) D'Antoni
4) Blatt

and then everybody else is the same to me

[letsgosuns]

Paul Coro mentions Jason Kidd as a wild card candidate. I do not see that happening, but if it did, I imagine it would guarantee that Knight is off the team. Anyway, might as well keep Watson because regardless of who is coaching next year, the team is still going to suck. You would need a major overhaul of the roster with awesome players to turn this thing around overnight. Like I said recently, even a team like the Timberwolves who are loaded with young talent were terrible this year. It is hard to win in this league with all 19-22 year olds unless their names are Magic, Bird, or Jordan.

[saintEscaton]

I'm against Thibs, we don't have the two-way players/frontcourt depth for him to implement his defensive scheme here. He hates rooks, benched Mirotic and McDermott last year and ran with a shortened 7 man rotation and has questionable minute distributions that wear out his stars. He's not a snake like Karl but a pigheaded micromanager, the Bulls FO told their players to tune him out after he lost the locker room

[DRK]

Blatt would be awesome here. Would be my number one choice if he was available and if Watson was to not stay as HC.

Blatt got the short end of the stick in Cleveland. No doubt hes a fantastic coach.

[RaisingArizona]

Don't want Watson back. Most of the players who want him back won't be back themselves so who cares?

[BobbieL]

Gambo reported today the Suns are not interested in hiring an older coach like Thibodeau, Karl, D'antoni, McHale, etc., and instead are focused on hiring a teacher/developer type coach because they plan on having a young team. He mentioned Watson, Majerle, Blatt, Walton, Brooks, and possibly one of the Spurs assistants as candidates. I know Gambo has not been in the loop too often since McDonough took over but this seems plausible.

Burns and Gambo had Brian Windbag on the other day

So, two guys that have been wrong a lot. But the gyst was the Suns are not a priority for many of the candidates

Possibly true. But there are only so many NBA head coaching jobs so if you want one, might have to come to Phoenix

I don't want Karl, McHale, Thibs or D'Antoni - so that's good
Not a fan of Brooks - I saw what he did in OKC. Too me, not good!

I am a Mark Jackson guy but Kerr's success probably has people thinking "why did they get so good AFTER Jackson left?"
-- that's a valid question

So for me, MOnty Williams, Earl and Blatt might even be okay