Jared Dudley believes Igor Kokoskov is 'ready' to be Suns' next coach

Lindsey Hunter had the title of Phoenix Suns’ interim coach for three months in 2013 but the actual job was done more often than not by assistant coach Igor Kokoskov.

“Lindsey wasn’t ready for that role,” said Phoenix forward Jared Dudley, who was in his fourth season with the Suns in 2013. “During timeouts Igor was the one drawing up plays.”

Dudley was impressed by Kokoskov’s acumen and temperament but didn’t think about Kokoskov as a head coach. At that point, following the contentious firing of Alvin Gentry and the acrimonious departures of popular assistants like Dan Majerle and Elston Turner, Dudley was just happy Kokoskov had remained with the team.

“I don’t know if he was ready back then,” Dudley said.

He might be now.

Kokoskov, an assistant at Utah under Quin Snyder, interviewed for the Suns’ coaching vacancy earlier this week. He’s one of a reported seven candidates Phoenix is considering following Mike Budenholzer’s decision to remove himself from consideration.

Kokoskov, 46, has many of the qualities General Manager Ryan McDonough is looking for in his next coach. He’s had success as a head coach – albeit not in the NBA – having led Slovenia to the EuroBasket 2017 championship. One of the star players on that team: Guard Luka Doncic, who could be the Suns’ choice if they get the No. 1 pick in the draft.

He’s had extensive NBA coaching experience; in addition to his five years as an assistant with the Suns, Kokoskov also worked for the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and the Jazz.

Kokoskov is lauded for his player-development skills, an asset that is critical for a young Suns team.

“It's different, working with him,” former Jazz point guard George Hill told the Salt Lake Tribune. “The things that he has me do are different than I've been used to. But what he's had me do is phenomenal, little things that I didn't know would help me become a better shooter and better off the dribble, things like that. We take a lot of time doing balance and core. You always want to work with someone who's experienced, and Coach has been very good for me.”

Dudley said Kokoskov has a great offensive mind – “When it comes to sets, spacing, being aggressive, he’s really good at that” – and he lauded Kokoskov’s teaching ability, recalling the work he did in improving Shaquille O’Neal’s free-throw shooting. O’Neal shot 51.3 percent from the line in 2007-08. In 2008-2009, Kokoskov’s first season with Phoenix, he shot 59.5 percent.

“From a development standpoint he’s really big on players putting in the work, working before games,” Dudley said. “If you watch him in Utah with the players he has, he has a very thorough and extensive pregame workout where he pushes you and is on top of you.”

Dudley said he has no reservations about the Suns pairing a first-time head coach like Kokoskov with a young team.

“It’s not like Igor is young,” Dudley said. “He’s had plenty of experience. It’s like Brett Brown in Philadelphia and Mike Budenholzer in Atlanta. They put the right staff around them. That’s the critical part.

“I think he’s shown he deserves the opportunity.”

All about Ayton

If the May 15 draft lottery falls their way and the Suns get the No. 1 pick, the debate will rage: Doncic or University of Arizona center Deandre Ayton.

Dudley knows who he would take.

“I’m an Ayton guy,” he said.

Ayton participated in Dudley’s JD’s Camp of Opportunity in San Diego in 2015 and played for Dudley’s high school coach, Zack Jones, at Balboa City School.

“I think Doncic will be a very good player but I think Ayton is a can’t-miss star,” Dudley said. “The way he moves, blocking shots, his jump shot, his size. I don’t know what his weakness is. I think he’s something the Suns have never had in the post.”

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