Suns make quite a turnaround since naming Lindsey Hunter interim head coach

Jan 20, 2014, 3:20 PM | Updated: 3:21 pm

Exactly one year ago, the Phoenix Suns named player development coordinator Lindsey Hunter as the team’s interim head coach, electing to pass over veteran assistants Dan Majerle and Elston Turner in the process.

The move came just 48 hours after the organization parted ways with Alvin Gentry, who served as the Suns’ coach for four-plus seasons. It was a decision that was met with plenty of skepticism at the time, considering Hunter had no prior head coaching experience.

While the 14-year NBA veteran was already inheriting the Western Conference’s worst team (13-28), Hunter’s tenure did little to raise Phoenix from the cellar.

Over the final 41 games, the Suns went 12-29, losing 19 of their 29 contests by double digits.

In all, Phoenix finished with a 25-57 record — its worst since the 1968-69 inaugural campaign.

Although Hunter was considered as a candidate for the full-time job, new general manager Ryan McDonough tapped former Sun Jeff Hornacek as the 16th coach in franchise history back in May 2013.

While the former All-Star is only 40 games into his first season at the head of the bench, Hornacek has already won 23 games — nearly matching the amount Gentry and Hunter amassed all of last season.

Gentry is now serving as Doc Rivers’ lead assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, while Hunter was added to Mark Jackson’s Golden State Warriors coaching staff back in September 2013.

Both Majerle and Turner elected to leave the Suns following Hunter’s promotion, with the former being named Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball coach in March 2013.

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after scoring in the second half against the Chicago Bu...
Arizona Sports

Suns’ Kevin Durant ‘expected to be ready’ vs. Timberwolves

Phoenix Suns GM and president of basketball operations James Jones expects Kevin Durant to plan Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
17 hours ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on...
Kellan Olson

Devin Booker’s lifelong dream of Nike signature shoe reportedly on horizon

Devin Booker's completion rate on his bucket list puts just about all of us to shame. A signature shoe with Nike is the next box to check.
17 hours ago
Phoenix Suns Forward Kevin Durant (35) and Phoenix Suns Guard Devin Booker (1) looks on during a NB...
Kellan Olson

What to watch in Kevin Durant’s return, closing stretch of the season

Wednesday is expected to bring the home debut of Kevin Durant and the resumption of the Phoenix Suns' incorporation process.
17 hours ago
Karl-Anthony Towns #32and Mike Conley #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves react after Towns hit the g...
Kellan Olson

Timberwolves finally at full strength ahead of crucial matchup vs. Suns

The Phoenix Suns have a big-time game on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have a few things coming together right now.
2 days ago
Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul, right, gets congratulations from Kevin Durant, left, and Devin Booker, mi...
Kevin Zimmerman

Mess of the West: Suns’ tiebreakers come into focus with 7 games left

Kevin Durant's return against the Minnesota Timberwolves could help the Phoenix Suns lock up an NBA standings tiebreaker.
17 hours ago
Former NBA player Charles Barkley, center, watches West Virginia and Auburn from the sideline durin...
Arizona Sports

Charles Barkley dishes on Kevin Durant feud, CNN show plans

Charles Barkley talked about a potential new CNN show he could host with Gayle King, his feud with Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
2 days ago
Suns make quite a turnaround since naming Lindsey Hunter interim head coach