Nekdanji selektor slovenske košarkarske reprezentance Igor Kokoškov je še vedno glavni kandidat za novega trenerja Phoenix Suns, trdi spletna stran Arizonasports.com.
Aktualnega pomočnika trenerja pri ekipi Utah Jazz, ki se za preboj v finale zahodne konference meri s Houston Rockets, so namreč povabili na drugi razgovor.
Prvi telefonski pogovor med srbskim strokovnjakom in vodstvom Phoenix Suns naj bi se zgodil med drugo in tretjo tekmo uvodnega kroga končnice lige NBA, v katerem so košarkarji Utaha s 4-2 v zmagah izločili Oklahomo City Thunder.
Kokoškov je stari znanec moštva iz Arizone, kjer je od 2008 do 2013 delal kot pomočnik trenerja. Z izbranimi besedami je za radijsko postajo Arizona’s Sports Station o njem spregovoril nekdanji trener Sonc Alvin Gentry (2008-2012).
"Igor ima ogromno mednarodnih trenerskih izkušenj. Po mojem mnenju je nedvomno pripravljen, da postane glavni trener. Razume igro in ima zelo dober odnos z igralci. Prav tako ima odličen temperament. Menim, da je on prava izbira," je Kokoškova pohvalil Gentry, ki od leta 2015 trenira New Orleans Pelicans.
Kokoškov je izredno priljubljen tudi med navijači, ki so mu v spletni anketi na temo najboljšega kandidata za novega trenerja namenili 51 odstotkov glasov.
Phoenix ima eno najmlajših ekip v ligi NBA in zato nujno potrebuje trenerja, ki zna razvijati igralce. Na letošnjem naboru bo izbiral med prvimi štirimi ekipami, ena od možnosti za okrepitev igralskega kadra pa je tudi mladi slovenski zvezdnik Luka Dončić.
Svetovni splet so po razkritju, da se Kokoškovu nasmiha nova služba, preplavila ugibanja, kako bi njegovo imenovanje vplivalo na prihodnost Luke Dončića, ki ga nekateri že vidijo v Arizoni.
Letošnji nabor, na katerega se je prijavil tudi mladi slovenski reprezentant, bo 21. junija.
Would hiring Igor Kokoskov make you want the Suns to draft Luka Doncic more or should have it have no impact on the decision at all?
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) May 1, 2018
Which of these candidates would you want to coach the #Suns?
— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) April 30, 2018
Igor Kokoskov se rapproche de Phoenix, Luka Doncic aussi ? https://t.co/QAMvGwz8lA pic.twitter.com/FYUuYJdk5i
— Le monde du Basket (@BasketMonde) May 1, 2018
Igor Kokoskov se rapproche de Phoenix, Luka Doncic aussi ? https://t.co/M7IEBJT4Cs
— REVERSE (@REVERSEMAGAZINE) May 1, 2018
I know the pro-Ayton crowd will be mad I say this, but a possible trio of Booker-Jackson-Doncic coached by Kokoškov has the chance to be one of the most unique things in the league. All three could take turns being primary ball handlers and switch like crazy 1-4 on defense.
— The Bright Side (@BrightSideSun) April 30, 2018
If the Suns hire Igor Kokoskov doesn't that mean they're set on drafting Luka Doncic? Kokoskov is also from Slovenia and coached the country's national team.
— Ben White (@Ben1White) April 30, 2018
I'm all for Kokoskov, the sets he ran for Slovenia were impressive. I think it's a no brainer if he is the man that the Suns draft Luka Doncic. If there's anyone who can get Luka to fulfill his potential it's that man.
— NoCoachSZN (@LukaDoncicSZN) May 1, 2018
If Suns hire Igor Kokoskov, pretty much seals Doncic to Suns?
— Mo (@mothemo_mo) April 30, 2018
Depends on who the Suns want to draft out of Doncic and Ayton. If they want Doncic then Kokoskov is a no brainer.
— NoCoachSZN (@LukaDoncicSZN) April 30, 2018
So ... let’s hire Igor Kokoškov, draft Luka Doncic, sign Derrick Favors, and preserve precious cap space for 2019.
— Scott (@scottmgower) April 24, 2018
What would Suns fans think of this starting lineup?
PG: Doncic
SG: Booker
SF: Jackson
PF: Bender
C: Favors
Kokoskov is on record everywhere expressing his love for Doncic. This has Phoenix Suns written all over it.
— Ben White (@Ben1White) April 30, 2018
Kokoskov and Doncic please 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/ojx2NOBhQG
— Sean Burke (@Saythewords) April 30, 2018
