Phoenix Suns hire Elston Turner as defensive coordinator

Jul 11, 2011, 9:00 PM | Updated: 9:02 pm

The Phoenix Suns have signed Elston Turner to a two-year contract to fill their newly created defensive coordinator position according to Sports 620 KTAR’s John Gambadoro.

There is no doubt the Suns need defensive help as they allowed 105.9 points per game last season and allowed opponents to shoot 47.2 percent.

Turner, who has spent the last few seasons as an assistant coach on the Rockets, will attempt to better the defensive game of the Suns.

Although he has never been hired as a head coach, Turner’s coaching abilities seem to be widely respected as he has been interviewed for several top coaching positions, including the Phoenix Suns in the summer 2008. He was interviewed twice for the position that ultimately went to Terry Porter.

Turner has coached in the NBA for 12 seasons and was the head coach of the Houston Rockets summer league team.

In addition to his coaching experience, Turner played eight seasons in the NBA where he averaged just under five points and two assists per game.

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