PHOENIX SUNS

Suns GM Lance Blanks: Lindsey Hunter ‘gives us a jolt’

Jan 20, 2013, 8:15 PM | Updated: 8:35 pm

...

At age 42, Lindsey Hunter has no experience as a head coach at any level.

But Sunday, the 17-year NBA veteran was given the reigns of a struggling 13-28 Phoenix Suns team for the remainder of the 2012-13 season.

While the Suns front office had plenty of veteran options in assistant coaches Elston Turner, Dan Majerle and Igor Kokoskov, Hunter was tagged with the interim label and tasked with replacing Alvin Gentry, because Phoenix general manager Lance Blanks said he needed to respond to the wishes of the players.

“Lindsey will lead the group for the next 41 games or so,” Blanks said Sunday. “We believe for what’s needed he’s the right choice. Beyond those 41 games, we don’t know.”

Hunter previously worked for the organization as a scout before being named the player development coordinator in August 2012. Before coming to Phoenix, Hunter worked for the Chicago Bulls in a similar capacity.

Because Hunter is just two years removed from his playing career, Blanks believes the two-time NBA champion might be the perfect leader for a team floundering in basement of the Western Conference.

“The organization needed a jolt,” said Blanks. “We needed something that would shock the system for us and the players. Risk trumps safety in this business. We felt this was the right person to take the risk on.”

Hunter, who played for the likes of Phil Jackson and Larry Brown, will be expected to do one thing during the second half of the season.

“I think the word is accountability,” said Blanks when asked what he wants to see from Hunter. “We’re looking for him to hold each player accountable. To hold the balance of his staff accountable. We’ll challenge him in that. And he’ll challenge us I’m sure.”

A so-called “youth movement” was discussed in the days leading up to Gentry’s departure on Friday, and when asked about whether such a move was coming, Blanks suggested that Hunter will have final say.

“Ultimately, Lindsey will have to make those decisions with our support,” said Blanks. “We’re not the ones in the trenches every night. He’ll be the one that’s doing that.”

Hunter’s first game won’t be until Wednesday night in Sacramento, but already his new coaching staff is in a state of flux.

Majerle and Turner weren’t present at Sunday’s practice, although Blanks said both were offered to the opportunity to remain in their roles. When reached by Arizona Sports 620’s Craig Grialou, Turner admitted that he was weighing all of his options.

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

12 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

16 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

19 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Suns GM Lance Blanks: Lindsey Hunter ‘gives us a jolt’