PHOENIX — As if Sean Miller doesn’t already have enough stuff to do in Phoenix these days — checking in on Nico Mannion, recruiting Terry Armstrong and maybe even checking in with Josh Green’s family — there’s also this:
Igor Kokoskov wants him to stop by Talking Stick Arena.
The Phoenix Suns’ new coach said during the team’s preseason media day Monday that he’s already had a “great conversation” with the UA coach and hopes Miller will visit Phoenix to talk Deandre Ayton and a little basketball strategy.
“I understand he is very busy with recruiting,” Kokoskov said. “But he promised he was going to be with us and at least say hi, not just to spend time with Deandre but also to participate in meetings (for me) to pick his brain on some X-and-O stuff. There’s little things offensively and a lot of stuff I’ve been taking in all these years watching his team play.”
First-year Suns Coach Igor Kokoskov says he likes what Deandre Ayton brings to the team, but knows he’s still just a rookie.
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) September 24, 2018
“My job is to help him find himself.”
Kokoskov also says he’s been in contact with Sean Miller about coaching Ayton. pic.twitter.com/P3kEZ7SqKr
That Kokoskov is interested in such a meeting might say something about Miller as well as Kokoskov himself. Ayton and Suns GM Ryan McDonough both raved about how smart Kokoskov during separate interviews on Monday.
“One of the white boards in his office is covered with plays,” McDonough said. “The way he thinks is at a high level.”
DeAndre Ayton sits on stage take questions from reporters during his first Phoenix Suns Media Day at the Talking Stick Resort Arena, in Phoenix, Ariz., on September 24, 2018.
With Ayton, Kokoskov says he has a clear job to do: Making sure the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick starts moving toward his potential.
“Everything is new to him,” Kokoskov said. “It’s really our job and my job to help him find himself. He’s a five man, played a four man in college. He played both and they played with two fives (Ayton and Dusan Ristic).
“He is nothing but a center. A skilled center with a lot of skills he can incorporate in his game, so my job is to help him find his role, find his game and play to his strengths, but it’s to be up to him with how far he wants to go with this.”
From left to right Josh Jackson, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton pose for a photo during the Phoenix Suns Media Day at the Talking Stick Resort Arena, in Phoenix, Ariz., on September 24, 2018.
Doesn’t sound like Kokoskov will have to deal with a lot of ego or distraction with Ayton, the way Ayton spoke Monday – and the way his teammates did about him.
During his podium interview Monday, Ayton said he was “all in” with the serious manner his teammates approach the game, and didn’t bite on Joel Embiid’s assertion that he will get his ass kicked in the NBA.
“I can’t really say anything,” Ayton said, when asked about Embiid’s comment. “I haven’t put the ball in the hoop. So all I can do is just let my game talk, just compete.”
.@DeandreAyton on @JoelEmbiid’s comments from last week: “I can’t really say anything. I haven’t put the ball in the hoop.”
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) September 24, 2018
Embiid said “he’s going to get his ass kicked” to @RachelNichols1 on ESPN’s The Jump. pic.twitter.com/tQoOTZbon1
That’s the kind of approach Suns guard Devin Booker praised.
“He comes in here every day and doesn’t act like he knows it all,” Booker said. “He knows he’s very talented but is still open to listening to people, listening to coach, listening to Tyson (Chandler, the Suns’ veteran center). He’s willing to come in and work hard. It’s very special to see that, especially with the talent that he has and the body frame he has. He’s going to be a very special player.”
