Handicapping The Suns’ Coaching Candidates

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under SDC COMMENTARY

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One would think that with the success of the Phoenix Suns - lack of playoff notwithstanding - that there would be a plethora of coaching candidates pounding on their door.? If you thought that to be the case, you would be correct.? The question is this: Which candidate would be the right fit for the Suns?? All of the candidates interviewed thus far by Phoenix offer a little something different from what ex-coach Mike D’Antoni brought to the table.? Below are the coaching possibilities and their pros and cons:

Mark Jackson

Pros - He would work in Phoenix if the Suns would change their “philosophy” 180 degrees.? Jackson is a players’ coach - a refreshing change of pace.? Cons - No coaching experience, plus the fact that the Suns probably will not change their program dramatically.

Terry Porter

Pros - Probably the most experienced candidate of the group.? Has a close relationship with Suns general manager Steve Kerr and has playoff experience both as a player and assistant coach with Detroit.? Cons - The public relations angle; Porter is known as being “old-school” - which may not sit well with the Suns’ corporate structure of a family/media/corporate-friendly atmosphere, which the team has been mindful of maintaining.? But that’s a minor issue that can be corrected.

Elston Turner

Pros- Good, competent coach?who has learned from current Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman; he has worked in systems (Houston and Sacramento) that are similar to Phoenix, but with more emphasis on defense.? Cons - Assuming he became the Suns’ next coach, can he handle the big responsibility of dealing with the media rush almost daily?? If he can handle that along with the coaching responsibilities, then he will need a strong lead assistant coach to help him along the way.

Jeff Hornacek

Pros- Popular among the Suns’ faithful.? As a player, served as a “coach” while on the court; he, like Kerr, delayed his transition from player to coach for family considerations.? Cons- No experience; however, he would more than likely - unlike the other candidates - accept an assistant coaching position with the Suns.

Tyrone Corbin

Pros - Former Suns player who carved out a nice career in the NBA, but without the success of Jackson or Porter.? Has been an assistant for years, so he is an unknown quantity at this point.? Cons - No head coaching experience.

There are other candidates that Kerr hasn’t yet interviewed (San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer, Kurt Rambis - my dark-horse candidate, Brian Shaw and Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau) so the dynamics of the Suns’ interviews could and probably will change.?But assuming the aforementioned four get an interview with Kerr and the Suns’ brass, this is what order I see them in getting hired by Phoenix: