Former Suns players Nash, Dragic, Gortat approve of Kokoskov hiring
May 2, 2018, 9:38 PM
Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry, second from right, along with his assistant coaches Dan Marjerle, right, Bill Cartwright, third from right, and Igor Kokoskov, fourth from right, and players watch as the Orlando Magic take a commanding lead in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 13, 2011, in Phoenix. The Magic won 111-88. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
The Phoenix Suns hired Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov as their new head coach on Wednesday and it’s a move former Suns players approve of.
Kokoskov spent 2008-13 as an assistant coach under Alvin Gentry, specializing in player development.
Most notably, Kokoskov worked with Goran Dragic, who he also coached with the Slovenian national team.
“Goran came a long way when he was [in Phoenix] and Igor had a lot to do with that and his development,” Gentry said on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & Gambo in late April.
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Kokoskov is one of the most well-respected NBA assistants and has been in the NBA as an assistant since 2000.
His relationship with former players made it no surprise to see the support he received on social media.
Yes!! Go suns! https://t.co/1RSRTc5mqq
— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) May 3, 2018
Congrats to Igor Kokoškov 👏🏼 well deserved, great coach !!!! Good luck @suns https://t.co/WXGzXzA80N
— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) May 2, 2018
Super happy for IGOR KOKOSKOV New Head Coach of PHOENIX Suns. Great man !!!
— Marcin Gortat🇵🇱 (@MGortat) May 3, 2018
Current Suns forward Jared Dudley is the lone player on the roster who was on those teams while Kokoskov was in Phoenix and he feels strongly about the hire as well.
Well deserved!!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/Dp5QpWNP5P
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) May 2, 2018
The loss of Kokoskov will hurt in Utah, where he played a crucial role in player development and other key areas under head coach Quin Snyder.
Snyder gave his thoughts on the move after the team’s playoff win Wednesday night over the Houston Rockets.
Quin Snyder talks about how much Igor Kokoskov has meant to him over the years, and says he’s ready to coach the Phoenix Suns. pic.twitter.com/Ce9lmGnVUR
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) May 3, 2018
Congratulations to Igor Kokoškov on being hired as the head coach of the @Suns.
You'll always be part of the Jazz family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SXFqucQGSW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) May 2, 2018
Kokoskov is simply a terrific hire by the Suns….Great coach, expert at development and fits so well with a young roster…..
— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) May 2, 2018
Igor Kokoskov will be missed in Utah, was a huge part in the Jazz’s player development of their guards (especially Rubio) and bounced a ton of ideas off Snyder, Xs and Os wise. Perfect hire for PHX.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) May 2, 2018
