Login

Register | Forgot Your Password? | Close
AP: 55b6f49b-535d-4b64-8600-8e38916db526
Phoenix Suns interim head coach Lindsey Hunter, right, talks with P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half in an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, in Phoenix. The Suns defeated the Clippers 93-88.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Phoenix Suns are off to a hot start under interim head coach Lindsey Hunter after back-to-back wins over the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers. The 2-0 start should turn criticism into optimism if history proves anything.

Out of the Suns 15 previous head coaches, only three have started 2-0 or better.

Back in the 1969-1970 season, head coach Johnny "Red" Kerr was replaced by former Suns' owner Jerry Colangelo after a 15-23 start. Colangelo finished the season with a 24-20 record, grabbing a bottom playoff spot before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

It wasn't until 20 years later that another head coach would start off with a pair of wins, as Scott Skiles started 4-0 after replacing the retired Danny Ainge 20 games into the season. Skiles would lead Jason Kidd and the Suns to a 53-29 record and a short playoff run. Skiles remained the head coach for another season and a half before being let go with a 116-79 record.

Ten years later, Alvin Gentry would start 3-0 as the interim coach following Terry Porter. While he couldn't lead the Suns to the playoffs to finish the season like Skiles did, he did finish 18-13 before leading the team to the Western Conference Finals the following year. Gentry remained with the Suns for parts of four more seasons, bearing a 158-144 record during his tenure.

Hunter may not have been the fans' choice, but starting 2-0 -- as miniscule as that may seem -- puts him into a small group with a winning track record.

7 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
  • Add A Comment 
  • Abuse
    Sensei wrote...
    Playoffs...
    Who needs one of the first 5 picks in the draft. We just do fine with the 13th picks.Lets be a good sport and give back Laker's lottery pick. They really didn't mean giving that high of a pick to Suns. It is not fair.
  • Abuse
    BirdmanKickedYourAZ wrote...
    I, Suns Fan
    am withholding my sponsorship of the team. I will not purchase a jersey, watch a a game or even patronize your partners and sponsors until my demands are met: 1. Lon Babby has to be fired and the Gorilla promoted to president 2. Lance Blanks is fired and the Dance Team acts as GM by committee 3. Lindsey Hunter is fired and Al McCoy is named interim coach 4. The popcorn guy in section 230 is named player development coach 5. Michael Beasley is promoted to popcorn guy in section 230 6. Jared Dudley shall be referred to as the "mulatto mamba" in the introductions That is all.
  • Abuse
    BirdmanKickedYourAZ wrote...
    I would also accept
    "Air" Dudley or the round mound of inbound
  • Abuse
    ollieburger wrote...
    new coach
    This would have happened anyway.who is lindsey hes not a suns guy we want suns guys .You let them all go and hired WHO? next get rid of Lon nomore games for me till this nut is gone
  • Abuse
    Hometown_Kid_23 wrote...
    Funny how nobody is saying anything
    Everyone was criticizing the team for the move but yet nobody is saying anything now. My AZ sports fans need to get a grip and stop flip flopping so much. Regardless, I am sure he will not remain the coach beyond the year and hope he fails miserably so that we can secure a top 5 pick. Unless your L.A., Miami, Chicago, or NY, the only way you are going to win is by building through the draft.
  • Abuse
    Hometown_Kid_23 wrote...
    Continued
    I think the FO is focused on doing this w/out blatantly stating it but everyone keeps crying and talking about how they are never buying a tix or supporting the team in anyways, blah, blah , blah.. I am confident in our future and holding hope that we hire a great coach in the off season to lead the new Suns movement!
  • Abuse
    the cooker wrote...
    Don't Get too excited
    Don't read too much into those 2 wins. Chris Paul did not play and all the players know the trade deadline is coming up and some want to be traded to teams with a chance for the playoffs. Then you have others who are doing their best to tank so they will not be traded.
Standings
Schedule
Team Leaders
close

Share: