Friendly Bounce RTOE: Helping the Phoenix Suns fill a coaching staff
The Phoenix Suns fired Jeff Hornacek late Sunday night. Earl Watson is the interim head coach and the Suns wanted Steve Nash on the staff. Which other former NBA player should they add to the staff?
Ryne Prinz (@ryneprinz): Shawn Marion retired after last season, and I would love to see him on the Phoenix bench. He was a fantastic vet down the stretch of his career, so I’m sure he could carry that over into coaching.
Taylor Smith (@TaylorBojangles): What Ryne said. Marion’s easily the best candidate. Once Amar’e Stoudemire retires they should just get the whole gang back together with Mike D’Antoni at the helm.
Ian Dougherty (@IanDougherty): Since we’re just naming former Suns players here, I nominate the incomparable Marcus Banks.
Dan Favale (@danfavale): This former-Suns theme looks fun. Raja Bell feels like he would be a godsend for T.J. Warren’s nonexistent three-point stroke and Devin Booker’s developing defensive stances.
Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone): The only correct answer to this question is and will always remain Rasheed Wallace.
Thoughts on Dirk Nowitzki’s new haircut?
Prinz: This haircut is very reminiscent of his rookie year (minus the highlights), but I’d prefer he go back to the super long locks of 2010.
Smith: Yeah, it’s not great. Dirk needs long hair. Anything else isn’t Dirky enough.
Dougherty: It’s clean-cut and looks nice enough. But, yeah, long-haired Dirk is the best Dirk.
Favale: Not a fan. It looks like he couldn’t decide between imitating Jason Priestly during his 90210 years or Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting.
Cianfrone: I won’t go as far as his teammates and make fun of him for it but I think Dirk needs flowing locks to flow while he hits his fadeaway.
Better friendship, Dirk Nowitzki and Zaza Pachulia or Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan?
Prinz: This is a tough one, because both tandems have all the components of a great friendship. Lowry and DeRozan have been together longer, so I’ll pick them.
Smith: I’ll just say Dirk and Zaza because it’s completely random yet at the same time it’s something we should’ve totally expected. Plus I could totally envision them doing a cop show together.
Dougherty: One time on a late-night McFlurry run together, Lowry and DeRozan had to pay a guy to order from the drive-thru because they didn’t have a car. That’s true friendship.
Favale: Initially, I was going to pick Dirk and Zaza, since I envision them trading dirty knock-knock jokes. But then I listened to that McFlurry story, so DeRozan and Lowry it is.
Cianfrone: This is probably some recency bias but I cannot get enough of the DeRozan/Lowry pairing.
Which player do you want to see pull a Draymond Green and start chasing triple doubles?
Prinz: John Wall already averages double figures in points and 9.8 assists. If he were to focus his efforts on rebounding just slightly more, he could easily rack up triple doubles, especially on this underwhelming Washington team.
Smith: James Harden has been upping his triple double game of late. Given the Rockets’ season is basically dead, he may as well start going for the individual accolades.
Dougherty: J.R. Smith is the obvious choice here. But if we’re just choosing from guys that have the available minutes, usage, and skill to do so? Chris Paul. We know he can dominate games, and he has all the freedom in the world to chase triple-doubles now that Blake Griffin is out.
Favale: Irrationally? Jae Crowder. The dude can do everything. Rationally? Paul Millsap. He is pretty much the Draymond Green of the Eastern Conference—minus pseudo-point guard responsibilities.
Cianfrone: JaVale McGee. Just imagine him trying to get assists. We need this to happen.
Is Aaron Gordon the best in-game dunker in the league right now?
Prinz: Gordon has the potential to one day become the best in-game dunker, but I think the title belongs to DeMar DeRozan. He has perfect mix of power, creativity, bounce and aggression, especially this year. He’ll dunk on anyone.
Smith: I may be a homer here, but I love DeAndre Jordan’s dunks. They’re incredibly ferocious and they can materialize out of nowhere. He never disappoints in that way.
Dougherty: I’m going to go full-homer and say Jonathon Simmons from the San Antonio Spurs is the best. Because of the Spurs’ depth he doesn’t get consistent minutes, but when he does, he knows how to put on a show. He’s extremely bouncy, and looks to be developing into quite the well-rounded player. Watch out for him.
Favale: I’m also rolling with DeAndre Jordan, with the caveat Gordon is a close second. The angles at which DJ catches and finishes lobs are insane, and I’m pretty sure at least half of all Los Angeles-area earthquakes are just byproducts of his powerful slams.
Cianfrone: It is probably close at least. The thing that makes Gordon so great is the crazy amount of power that he throws down dunks with even off rebounds. I think if he isn’t yet he gets there within the next year.