PHOENIX SUNS

Gentry: Suns coaching candidate Igor Kokoskov would be ‘great choice’

Apr 20, 2018, 4:20 PM | Updated: Apr 21, 2018, 9:09 pm

Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry, second from right, along with his assistant coaches Dan Marjerle, ...

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)

LISTEN: Alvin Gentry, Pelicans' Head Coach

The Phoenix Suns and their last head coach to make the playoffs have spent some time with the Suns’ latest head coaching candidate set for an interview.

From 2008-13, current Utah Jazz assistant coach and candidate for the Suns’ head coaching job Igor Kokoskov was an assistant with the Suns for then-head coach Alvin Gentry.

Kokoskov would be a good hire for the Suns according to Gentry.

“He’s had some great head coaching experience internationally,” Gentry said. “I think he’s very much ready to be a head coach. I think he understands the game, (he’s) got great personal relationships with the players … he’s got great temperament. I think he would be a great choice.”

Led by Kokoskov, Slovenia unexpectedly won the 2017 EuroBasket tournament. The team had the ninth-highest odds to win the tournament, per BetOnline.

That Slovenian national team, of course, had former Suns point guard Goran Dragic and potential No. 1 overall draft pick Luka Doncic lead the way.

Kokoskov spent time working with the likes of Steve Nash and Dragic while he was in Phoenix and Dragic some more, along with Doncic, as the head coach of Slovenia.

“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 the obvious link between the Suns’ best NBA Lottery odds and Kokoskov coaching Doncic in the past, Gentry sees how it could work.

“I could see that being a really good working relationship, player-coach working relationship,” he said.

When it comes to a signature aspect of his coaching style, Gentry likes the way Kokoskov sees the game unfold.

“He has a great feel for the game,” Gentry said. “He really understands the game from an offensive standpoint and a defensive standpoint.”

Don’t discount how Kokoskov could help out other members of the Suns like Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren, either. Gentry said Kokoskov’s style would help unlock more out of those players.

“[They would] play an uptempo kind of basketball,” he said. “I think those guys are very good in that situation.”

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.

9 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.

13 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.

17 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.

1 day 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

Gentry: Suns coaching candidate Igor Kokoskov would be ‘great choice’