After strong opener, Suns’ Kokoskov sees room for growth defensively

PHOENIX — There was a whole lot that went right for the Phoenix Suns in their 121-100 win opening night against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday.

Thirty-five assists. Nineteen three-pointers. Over 50 percent shooting from the field.

Still, there was a lot to correct, especially defensively. Dallas had 28 assists on 38 field goals, most of which were coming off blown coverages and defensive miscommunication.

When Kokoskov opened his post-game press conference, he jumped to the defense almost immediately, and after two days to sit with it on Friday he still sees that room for improvement.

“I think we can accomplish much more being mentally engaged, understanding the concepts and coverages,” he said. “We know that a lot of great players in this league were just nothing but smart players. Being in the right time, right place — they knew how to position themselves. Effort is not the only thing.”

With that in mind, it comes down to a certain coaching philosophy. There will always be those miscues, and for the Suns, it’s more about having the system perfected and accepting those mixups along the way.

“You can coach every possession,” Kokoskov said.

“If there [were] no mistakes (the) game would be 0-0. We have to find certain areas — more teaching concepts than one play.”

In that system, Kokoskov and his staff have certain “no-no’s” they want players to avoid that will naturally improve the defense on its own.

“We have to work on certain areas we call absolutes,” he said. “Defensive absolutes where its non-negotiables. (For example), when it comes to the transition defense we’re no middle team, etc.”

One of the players who had some of those correctable mistakes was rookie center Deandre Ayton. The No. 1 overall pick had a rock-solid performance, but his defensive lapses were present.

That’s to be expected for a rookie big man, but the mistakes were something Kokoskov said after the game he was going to focus on especially with Ayton.

“Mistakes when it comes to getting tired and fatigued,” Kokoskov said Friday. “I know he’s upset because there’s a couple of possessions that he felt he can block the shots and protect the rim and he’s too short, too tired, too fatigued.”

Ayton’s night represents what Kokoskov wants out of his team as a whole. If the effort is there, he believes the learning will come along with it to make Phoenix a solid defensive team. Ayton’s was Wednesday night, and that’s the first step in the right direction.

“Besides that, his enthusiasm was really on a high level and that’s all we can ask for,” Kokoskov said.

NOTES

— Kokoskov said Jamal Crawford will dress on Saturday in Denver against the Nuggets.

— Deandre Ayton (right ankle sprain) is questionable and Troy Daniels (concussion protocol) is out for Saturday.

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