Who do you think are the best head coaching candidates?

[TheDavinciCHODE]

They should give Steve Nash a call.

Yes, that'd be sick. Don't know about the guy's ability to actually coach, but he'd be a hero to the kids in PHX.

On a more realistic note though, I think PHX needs to go with a young, fresh face. David Blatt, unfairly or not, has already been run out of one coaching job that he couldn't secure.

A young, up and coming coach will identify with the players more.

They need some fresh blood to jolt the system and hold down the fort for two years until he gets fired

[The_Hater]

As a Raptor fan, the only thing I know for certain is the answer isn’t Jay Triano.

[papidulo]

I think Mike Brown deserves another team

[CKB]

Ron Adams. Defensive guru. Wherever he goes, his team plays at a high level.

[jokeboy86]

Surprised no one has brought up Mark Jackson. Was he that much of a non factor in Golden State to the execs around the league? You would think he would get some consideration from some teams

[Bobalob]

Lol I remember having this conversation on another forum a few years ago. When everyone was going to war for Brian Shaw and Pat Ewing to get jobs

The real answer is 99% of fans are in no position to know what assistant coach would be a solid coach. What are we basing it on!? How studious he looks on the sideline? lol We're unqualified to speak on what assistant coach would do well. We're not there. How can we say Darvin Ham would be a good coach??? Most of us havent heard the man speak in 10 years

[bwgood77]

They should give Steve Nash a call.

Yes, that'd be sick. Don't know about the guy's ability to actually coach, but he'd be a hero to the kids in PHX.

On a more realistic note though, I think PHX needs to go with a young, fresh face. David Blatt, unfairly or not, has already been run out of one coaching job that he couldn't secure.

A young, up and coming coach will identify with the players more.

They need some fresh blood to jolt the system and hold down the fort for two years until he gets fired

Just having him around while Triano is coach, might provide some positive energy...and he could teach them how to actually run the pick n roll with demonstrations.

Triano has been one of Nash’s most trusted friends ever since, especially as they lived out their dreams as Canada's star and coach in the 2000 Olympics. After Triano was fired as Canada's coach in 2004, Nash never played for Canada again. When Nash became the GM in 2012, he restored Triano as head coach of the rising program.

That history with Nash makes Triano feel attached to Phoenix, along with his relationships with Bryan Colangelo in Toronto, where he was 87-142 as head coach, and Jerry Colangelo with Team USA, which tabbed Triano as an assistant coach.

“I’ve always felt like a part of this because of Steve,” Triano said. “I was here for his Ring of Honor ceremony. I was here for the MVP awards. It doesn’t feel like I’m brand new.”

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/09/17/phoenix-suns-top-aide-jay-triano-fits-teams-vision/90522442/

[bwgood77]

Lol I remember having this conversation on another forum a few years ago. When everyone was going to war for Brian Shaw and Pat Ewing to get jobs

The real answer is 99% of fans are in no position to know what assistant coach would be a solid coach. What are we basing it on!? How studious he looks on the sideline? lol We're unqualified to speak on what assistant coach would do well. We're not there. How can we say Darvin Ham would be a good coach??? Most of us havent heard the man speak in 10 years

Darvin Ham was based on an espn article...and that he's worked under Budenholzer, and Quin Snyder thinks highly of him...

Did you know the famed "hammer pass" is named for Ham? He enjoyed a nine-year career in the NBA, and colleagues say he has a coach's intuition. When Quin Snyder moved from the Lakers to Atlanta in 2012, he urged Ham, who also sat on Mike Brown's bench, to seize the opportunity to claim more responsibility in Atlanta. An assistant on Budenholzer's staff, which is quickly sprouting its own coaching tree, performs a full rotation of tasks, from cutting video to intensive individual work with players.

Ham plays an enormous role with the Hawks and does it without a lot of rah-rah battle cries. He understands the difference between pride and passion, ego and intelligence, and can tell a player -- be it a vet like Dwight Howard or a young guy like Dennis Schroder -- the truth even if it isn't what he wants to hear. He knows that you prepare a reliable vet if he's going to be the whipping boy in a film session, but that you probably don't do the same for a rookie, because you want to see how he's going to react.

Ham is the kind of guy -- not unlike his boss -- who could probably be happy for years as a top assistant. But one suspects that, like Budenholzer, he'd be cheating himself if he didn't throw his hat in the ring at some point for a head-coaching opportunity.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/presents18986226/five-nba-coaching-prospects-watch

[MartinToVaught]

I really want the Clippers to hire Dimitris Itoudis if they ever fire Doc.

[clyde21]

I'd step away from retreads and try to find a fresh mind from college. Tony Bennett seems like a good candidate like Duke mentioned.

[azcatz11]

After Arizona wins a college basketball championship this year, Sean Miller would be a good hire.

[Sothron]

Messina and Blatt. I also think Darvin Ham would make an excellent HC if given the chance. They need a coach with a record of developing young players more than any "big name" hire.

[Soupman]

Obviously this has to do with the Suns predicament, but I am curious to see other's thoughts. There are some names that have been brought up already, like..

Ettore Messina
David Blatt
Igor Kokoskov
Jay Larranaga
Melvin Hunt
Rick Pitino (yeah I know)
Jay Wright



Others who have been mentioned on the forum or in articles

Darvin Ham
Brent Barry
Jerry Stackhouse
Chris Fleming
James Borrego
Alex Jensen
Jarron Collins
Tony Bennet
Stephen Silas
Monty Williams

Brian Shaw
Brian Scalabrine
Becky Hammond
Popeye Jones

[Chinook]

I'll be very happy is someone can take Messina off the Spurs' hands. Happy for him, too, but happier for the team.

[Curmudgeon]

Jarron Collins, Stephen Silas, Jay Larranega. And if you want to raid the announcing ranks, I vote for Kenny Smith.

[Sothron]

Lol I remember having this conversation on another forum a few years ago. When everyone was going to war for Brian Shaw and Pat Ewing to get jobs

The real answer is 99% of fans are in no position to know what assistant coach would be a solid coach. What are we basing it on!? How studious he looks on the sideline? lol We're unqualified to speak on what assistant coach would do well. We're not there. How can we say Darvin Ham would be a good coach??? Most of us havent heard the man speak in 10 years

if you follow a team or the league even semi-seriously you should know good assistant coaches. There are articles and interviews given about them and from other coaches/players to give you some idea of their value. Darvin Ham has been a highly praised assistant coach for years now since you brought him up.

[bwgood77]

Jarron Collins, Stephen Silas, Jay Larranega. And if you want to raid the announcing ranks, I vote for Kenny Smith.

I like Jay Larranaga just for having coached under Brad Stevens. Also comes from a coaching family.

[Bobalob]

Lol I remember having this conversation on another forum a few years ago. When everyone was going to war for Brian Shaw and Pat Ewing to get jobs

The real answer is 99% of fans are in no position to know what assistant coach would be a solid coach. What are we basing it on!? How studious he looks on the sideline? lol We're unqualified to speak on what assistant coach would do well. We're not there. How can we say Darvin Ham would be a good coach??? Most of us havent heard the man speak in 10 years

if you follow a team or the league even semi-seriously you should know good assistant coaches. There are articles and interviews given about them and from other coaches/players to give you some idea of their value. Darvin Ham has been a highly praised assistant coach for years now since you brought him up.

Have you ever heard of a head coach saying 'yea he's not good. I wouldn't hire him again' Cmon man that praise means nothing. What else are they gonna say

[clyde21]

Jarron Collins, Stephen Silas, Jay Larranega. And if you want to raid the announcing ranks, I vote for Kenny Smith.

I like Jay Larranaga just for having coached under Brad Stevens. Also comes from a coaching family.

Two most important things: must have a solid system/philosophy that is flexible and can adapt, and is capable of bringing in the right coaching staff around him and can delegate work accordingly.

If you can find someone with those two characteristics you have a good coach on your hands.

[Revived]

Stephen Silas is an interesting choice from NBA assistant coaches.