Hornacek: Stars separate playoff teams from Suns
Jun 11, 2014, 7:37 PM | Updated: 7:37 pm
With the Phoenix Suns finishing the season a game out of eighth place in the Western Conference, it’s only natural to wonder what the teams ahead of them have that they don’t.
When asked what separates playoff teams from the Suns during the Doug and Wolf show on Arizona Sports 98.7, coach Jeff Hornacek said “stars” were the difference.
“All these teams have perennial all-stars,” Hornacek said. “We’re trying to find those guys. We’re trying to develop some of them. We’ve got a couple guys on the team that might take that next step.”
The Suns didn’t have an all-star in the 2013-2014 season, but guard Goran Dragic possesses that potential after being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Dragic scored a career-high 20.3 points per game last season and had 5.9 assists.
Teammate Eric Bledsoe flashed signs of promise as well, scoring 17.7 points and 5.5 assists in 43 games. The Suns still need to focus on re-signing Bledsoe, who is a restricted free agent.
“Most of these teams have one main guy that you can go to all the time when things (are) on the line and have them either make the shot or make a great play,” Hornacek said. “We’ll find that guy and we’ll try to develop (him). We have some promising guys, Goran and Eric and maybe Markieff (Morris).”
