Eric Sorenson
The first time around they changed him.
Now he’s trying to change them.
Jeff Hornacek’s rookie year, way back in 1986, Jerry Colangelo instructed the goofy-looking rookie guard from Iowa State to change his shooting motion by taping his thumb to his hand to keep his elbow from flying out on his release. 15,659 career points later it’s safe to say Hornacek benefitted from the advice.
The task starting October 30th is going to take much more than taped thumbs and a little practice.
Marcin Gortat keep a bag packed. You, too Channing Frye. It’s not because the artist formerly known as Planet Orange doesn’t like you. They simply don’t need you.
But if you think about it no rookie head coach, in any sport really, could be in a better situation. Sure coaches are hired to be fired but…
…the Suns are going to be bad, but not bad like the 2012-13 version.
Last season they were bad like a Miley Cyrus wardrobe malfunction.
Bad like new Coke.
Bad like an old dog’s breath.
Mercifully most of last year’s misconstructed roster is gone. So too is Alvin Gentry and his staff who did their best with a hand dealt so awful even Vegas would show mercy.
General manager Ryan McDonough’s vision is clear. The same goes for Hornacek’s path on the bench for quite some time.
Oddsmakers set the Suns win total at 21.5. In short, the wise guys don’t believe this team will win more than once every four times they take the floor. To say expectations are low entering the season doesn’t do this team justice.
The talking heads agree.
“I really like Jeff a lot as a person,” NBA on TNT analyst and Suns legend Charles Barkley told Sports360AZ.com. “But listen the Suns aren’t a good team, man. You could bring Phil Jackson in here and they’re still gonna stink.”
Exactly.
Imagine if Hornacek can somehow scratch out 30 wins. He’ll be praised from the annoying like Stephen A. Smith to the wisest like Steve Kerr. If he doesn’t? So what? Nobody expected it in the first place.
McDonough has already proven he is going to build from the ground up or the complete opposite of Lance Blanks. In short, the right way.
Marcin Gortat keep a bag packed. You, too Channing Frye. It’s not because the artist formerly known as Planet Orange doesn’t like you. They simply don’t need you. Not now and likely for quite some time.
Without question the future is bright.
But it’s a distant future.
Which is just fine if you’re Jeff Hornacek.
