Valley of the Suns
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Where are the 2009-10 Phoenix Suns Now?

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX - MAY 29: The Phoenix Suns stand attended for the National Anthem before Game Six of the Western Conference finals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on May 29, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 111-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX - MAY 29: The Phoenix Suns stand attended for the National Anthem before Game Six of the Western Conference finals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on May 29, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 111-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ALvin Gentry, Dan Majerle, Igor Kokoskov, Bill Cartwright, Phoenix Suns (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
ALvin Gentry, Dan Majerle, Igor Kokoskov, Bill Cartwright, Phoenix Suns (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Alvin Gentry – 2009-10 was the first full season of Gentry’s tenure with the Suns, ending in his only playoff appearance with the franchise. He remained with Phoenix as head coach though 41 games into the 2012-13 regular season before being unceremoniously fired – the worst firing in franchise history. As an assistant coach he was attached to the L.A. Clippers and Golden State Warriors for one season each before returning to the front of the bench with the New Orleans Pelicans for the last four seasons.

Assistant Coach Bill Cartwright – Former longer-time assistant of the Chicago Bulls and 2+ year head coach, Bill Cartwright was in the second year of his four year tenure as an assistant for the Phoenix Suns. Following the end of his time in Phoenix in 2011-12, he coached for one season with the Osaka Evessa of Japan, then two seasons in Mexico, never returning to the NBA.

Assistant Coach Igor Kokoskov – Igor was too in the second year of his time as assistant coach under Alvin Gentry, his third coaching stop in the NBA (the L.A. Clippers and Detroit Pistons before Phoenix). Following the end of his tenure in 2012-13, he moved onto the Cleveland Cavaliers, then the Utah Jazz for three years, before the Suns finally re-hired him as head coach (his first head coaching job) in 2018-19, winning only 19 games before being fired. He is now the lead assistant of the Sacramento Kings.

Assistant Coach Dan Majerle – Thunder Dan was in year two of his 3+ years as a Phoenix Suns assistant coach, and appeared to be on the fast track to eventually becoming the franchise’s head coach. Unfortunately the situation deteriorated under Robert Sarver with Alvin Gentry’s firing and Majerle quit the job when Lindsey Hunter was promoted ahead of him. Former Phoenix Suns Owner Jerry Colangelo quickly swept Majerle up and made him the head coach of the Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team where he has been since 2013. ‘Lopes up.

Next. Roster swap: Suns and Kings. Would you do it?. dark

Assistant Coach John Shumate – Former NBA player (drafted by the Phoenix Suns 4th overall in 1975 and appearing in 43 games for them his rookie year before being traded to the Buffalo Braves for Gar Heard and a 1976 second round pick – Al Fleming was later taken with that pick), Shumate had been the head coach of Grand Canyon University from 1983-86, was the head coach of SMU from 1988-95, an original assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors from 1995-98 and head coach of the Phoenix Mercury for one season in 2003. 2009-10 was his second stint as an NBA assistant coach, and the only season in the position with the Phoenix Suns, the last of his NBA career.

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