When the Phoenix Suns’ hiring process for head coach began in earnest a few weeks ago, one name kept coming up and eventually lifted above the fray when others dropped around him: Igor Kokoskov. He is now the Suns’ next head coach.
Suns have hired Igor Kokoskov to a 3-year deal with no options
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) May 2, 2018
Phoenix Suns fans wanted a big name to be the franchise’s next head coach. They were excited and even elated when the names Mike Budenholzer and David Fizdale were bounced around very early on. But as those coaches fell out of the running for the position, the biggest name that remained was that of a former Suns assistant head coach, and someone who has been credited as being that of an offensive genius and defensive wiz: Igor Kokoskov.
Igor is the first European-born head coach in NBA history. He has been an American citizen though since 2010.
Phoenix Suns
The favorite for many here at Valley of the Suns for some time, Kokoskov is something of a special figure. Not only was he an assistant coach for the franchise for five seasons from 2008-2013, but he is somewhat of a “point guard” whisperer, seemingly getting the best out of his point guards from Steve Nash, George Hill, and now in Slovania, Luka Doncic. Steve Nash being the biggest name of the group, but Luka being the most important moving forward.
Should the Phoenix Suns select Luka with their first pick this June, they will be nabbing a hybrid point-four, a player with tremendous passing and shooting skills, but also good height at 6’7″ that is akin to great tall point guards in history like Magic Johnson, Penny Hardaway, and now Ben Simmons. Many consider Doncic as the best European prospect ever, and has now been coached by Kokoskov, where the two teamed up to win the EuroBasket gold medal just last year.
Kokoskov will not only have the best inside scouting on Luka to help General Manager Ryan McDonough make the best selection possible in the draft this summer, but if Doncic is their selection, he will give Luka a very familiar system to perform well in right away.
Unlike the Phoenix Suns’ offenses of the past three seasons, Igor’s offenses are very much based on constant fluidity, something that should make fans very happy to see. A run-and-gun traditionalist, his halfcourt sets are based on constant motion with lots of high pick-and-rolls, offering the ball-handler the opportunity to get the best shots possible both after the screen, or an open lane should they drive all the way to the basket.
This should be of tremendous help to players like Devin Booker and Josh Jackson who will receive more open shots off of screens, taking their jump shot game up a notch. With the addition of a competent point guard (even if that point guard is not named Luka Doncic) could very well mean all the difference in the world with Kokoskov’s ability to reach and put point guards in the best positions.
His defense too is something that fans should be very excited about. As an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons during their championship runs in the early 2000’s, as well as the lead assistant with the Utah Jazz this season – one of the league’s best defenses – Kokoskov will bring with him a tried-and-true system that will hopefully amplify the team’s ability to shut down opposing offenses, potentially finally making the franchise a two-way team, one that can not only score, but also shut down their opponents.
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Certainly fans were excited at the prospect of Mike Budenholzer at the beginning of the search, but they should be just as excited now. Kokoskov is the right hire for the Phoenix Suns, both now and in the future, and if they select Luka Doncic this summer, then they may have a tremendous pairing far down the line.