Jeff Hornacek Fired

[Andrew]

According to Adrian Wojnarowski:

The Phoenix Suns fired coach Jeff Hornacek, league sources tell The Vertical.

So there you have it. Firing your coach isn't just for top seeded teams any more!

In all seriousness, this is a move you either saw coming, or aren't at all surprised by. The Suns appeared to have a bright future a couple of years ago and arguably overachieved a bit under Hornacek, but they're 14-35 this season, going 1-9 in their last ten. From December 20th through January 3rd, they lost nine in a row; the last time they were at .500 was November 23rd. It's not shocking they're changing things up and going back to the drawing board, starting with the traditional firing of the head coach.

[mp3]

It's not Horny's fault about all the injuries that team has had plus the way management shaped the roster with trades and FA signing in the pasted few seasons and likewise you can't blame him for Morris being a complete dick either but I guess they did Jeff a second chance last month when they fired his assistances but when you pull a move like that the writing is pretty much on the wall

Also who's replacing him?

Barkley? Kevin Johnson? Tisdale?

Maybe bail Rex Chapman out?

[Andrew]

Sadly, Wayman Tisdale passed away in 2009, so he's probably not going to be a candidate.

Perhaps they'll look to the college ranks?

[benji]

One of the assistants Corey Gaines or Earl Watson is expected to take over for the rest of the season.

Hornacek got canned because his first year was so shockingly successful. The Suns management thought the team was actually that good. And then combined with hitting the Plexiglas ceiling, management tore the team apart, made questionable FA and trade decisions, and since management can't fire themselves or the players...

[mp3]

Sadly, Wayman Tisdale passed away in 2009, so he's probably not going to be a candidate.

Perhaps they'll look to the college ranks?

So that's a maybe on Tisdale via the use of a spirit box during timeouts?

Maybe even Robert Horry? Cedric Ceballos with the blindfold on?

Ok iam done, Earl Watson would make a good choice, player who has earned his stripes in the league with many teams must have a good rep with players and staff

[Chicago1]

David Blatt perhaps lol

[Corymach7]

Earl Watson will replace Hornacek.

Also, I barely remember Hornacek getting screamed at like George Karl.

[NovU]

Also, I barely remember Hornacek getting screamed at like George Karl.

Yeah! But I also barely remember George Karl getting towel thrown in his face by his player.

[[Q]]

Yesss Earl Watson! I was always a fan of his, especially since he went to UCLA and I also parked his S550 when he came to my hotel when I worked at Disneyland.

[mp3]

Earl Watson will replace Hornacek.

Also, I barely remember Hornacek getting screamed at like George Karl.

You don't recall Horny getting screamed at last season by one of the Morris twins??

[Jeffx]

One of the assistants Corey Gaines or Earl Watson is expected to take over for the rest of the season.

Hornacek got canned because his first year was so shockingly successful. The Suns management thought the team was actually that good. And then combined with hitting the Plexiglas ceiling, management tore the team apart, made questionable FA and trade decisions, and since management can't fire themselves or the players...

They did Hornacek a favor....Suns are a hot mess thanks to clueless management.

[air gordon]

Harder contract to move- Tyson Chandler or Nik Pekovic??

the rebuild could get quick if they can get out of Tyson's contract and/or Morris. they've got a few picks to include in the deal

[Andrew]

Probably Chandler, despite the production. His contract is a year longer, and slightly larger.

[Spree#8]

The complete mess the Suns have become should give the fanatical anti-tanking crowd something to think about. Rebuilding through mediocrity isn't very likely to work out. After some short-term overachieving in 13/14, they're incapable of being a winning team now, have no franchise player, no core worth building around and not a whole lot of high-value trade assets, either... possibly forced to blow it all up and bottom out anyway, which they should have done two years ago.

[Corymach7]

Also, I barely remember Hornacek getting screamed at like George Karl.

You don't recall Horny getting screamed at last season by one of the Morris twins??

Oh yeah, Marcus Morris did scream at Horny. I don't want to see another Bucks game against the Pistons where Marcus Morris screams at SVG like he did to Hornacek.

[mp3]

Marcus on his own seems ok temper wise, it seems that his Bro is the problem child

[air gordon]

The complete mess the Suns have become should give the fanatical anti-tanking crowd something to think about. Rebuilding through mediocrity isn't very likely to work out. After some short-term overachieving in 13/14, they're incapable of being a winning team now, have no franchise player, no core worth building around and not a whole lot of high-value trade assets, either... possibly forced to blow it all up and bottom out anyway, which they should have done two years ago.

they have no choice but to tank and play their younger guys in Booker, Goodwin, Len.

Bledsoe was playing at an all star level,posting career high's across the board. most notably PER and midrange shooting. yes there are some question marks with his knees but he is only 26 and remains a good building piece. Booker as well plus a most likely top 5 pick in next years draft. that's a start

Chandler's contract stinks. 3 more years. yuck. at least he is relatively healthy compared to someone like Pekovic. knight's contract is not so bad considering his age but it still is an odd fit next to bledsoe and booker most iikely the sg of the future. maybe he can be traded back to milwaukee.

Morris needs a mulligan for this season. he has the modern era skillset of the coveted mobile/versatile PF and is on a decent contract.

[NovU]

They will tank for the remaining season but hard to envision them doing it again next year. This happens all the time with star player out temporarily. Wade's Heat got Beasley. David's Spurs got Duncan. Both got right back into competing. They will try to right the ship during offseason instead of let it sink and start over. Unless ofc if you think everyone will turn into picks for years to come to bottom out.




2 PG experiment probably comes to an end though as Booker seems to be something of value. Too bad though TJ Warren's development comes to a halt.

I am thinking the Suns had the right idea for 4+1 basketball. 1 good center surrounded by ball handlers and shooters. Just that 2 PGs failed to mingle and they messed with a wrong guy in Morris brother.

[benji]

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

Man, the Family Guy writing staff would be proud of the way they ran that joke into the ground.

[benji]

I love when Ernie tries so hard to stay the "to business" straight man but even he can't resist keeping Chuck going sometimes.