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Phoenix Suns: Defending Hornacek’s Technical Foul Policy

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek (center) reacts alongside guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and guard Goran Dragic (1) in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

A Consistent Problem Breeds A New Rule

I know what you’re thinking: Technicals happen from time to time. This isn’t high school, where coaches have the ultimate authority and are non-expendable. In the NBA, these guys get paid millions of dollars to perform, so if a coach is benching a guy that the front office wants to play, it’s not much of a guess who gets the boot in that scenario.

But guess what? If you want to make arguments about this not being high school basketball, where technical fouls often result in punishment, maybe the Suns should start acting with maturity beyond that of a high school level.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz are the only teams in the NBA younger than the Suns, so it comes with the territory. But for a team that came so agonizingly close to the postseason last year, a team that is intent on cracking the top eight this year, there’s no room for foolishness. You know, like leading the entire NBA in technical fouls.

It will take a collective effort to fix this kind of team-wide issue. According to ESPN Stats, Markieff Morris is second in the league with 10 technicals. Eric Bledsoe is fifth with eight of his own. P.J. Tucker (six), Marcus Morris (five) and Goran Dragic (4) also crack the top 21.

Still not convinced this is an issue? Keef even has his own technical foul video compilation on YouTube!

Next: The Issue Behind The Rule

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