Suns still working out kinks of Kokoskov’s system in loss to Portland

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns have now had three preseason games, but the third was their first true test.

Monday was against the Sacramento Kings, a young team sitting the few veterans they had. Wednesday was against the New Zealand Breakers, who don’t play in the National Basketball League.

Friday, however, was against the Portland Trail Blazers, a very good basketball team that is familiar with each other and their system.

The Blazers handled the game like a preseason tune-up to get the legs loose and the mind familiar in time for the regular season, which is what they should do as the No. 3 seed last year in the Western Conference.

For a young team with a whole lot of new like the Suns, they tried to adapt and work through head coach Igor Kokoskov’s philosophies on both ends.

That learning curve for the Suns showed in a 115-93 loss.

All-Star Blazers point guard Damian Lillard rarely turned his offensive energy above a six, but he and his teammates were great in reading and recognizing a young defense still adjusting.

Portland had 26 assists and 11 turnovers to the Suns’ 20 assists and 21 turnovers.

Lillard and CJ McCollum, Portland’s two most important players, only played 21 minutes each, while key players for Phoenix like Trevor Ariza (29) and Josh Jackson (38) played extensive minutes.

Perhaps an overlooked aspect of the Suns’ quest to be the most improved team in basketball is Kokoskov needing every one of those minutes in the preseason.

After all, beyond the new coach, they also have seven new players on the roster.

No matter how good of a coach Kokoskov is, he won’t be able to snap his fingers and turn the Suns into a 35-win team from the jump with all the youth and new faces.

That process is going to take time, as the coach has said since day one.

Despite that being true, Kokoskov highlighted the team’s lack of effort and overall level of play after the game.

“We can watch the whole game and find all effort — clips and clips where effort should be better,” he said.

Elsewhere, Deandre Ayton was productive, again. He had 19 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in 28 minutes.

Isaiah Canaan made his first appearance since a gruesome leg injury in late January ended his 2017-18 season. Canaan didn’t have the stats to back a strong outing with 11 points and three assists, but his NBA experience showed in running Kokoskov’s schemes and making positive reactionary plays within it.

His play overall, though, was lackluster, as it was for the rest of the point guards.

That, along with Kokoskov’s stance on the team’s effort, are the solidified takeaways through three preseason games.

“If we have a challenge, you can quit and play victim, or you can be a player,” Kokoskov said. “If you have a high attitude and high energy, then you’re a player, but if you don’t have it, you turn yourself into a victim, like how we’re playing.”

NOTES

— Mikal Bridges was out with a left elbow sprain and will not be participating in basketball activities for seven days. That rules him out for the rest of the preseason. On Friday, the Suns’ opener was 12 days away.

UP NEXT

The Suns are done at home for the preseason. They play the defending champion Golden State Warriors on the road Monday and close the preseason Wednesday at Portland.

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