By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
The Phoenix Suns have missed the playoffs for eight consecutive years, and star guard Devin Booker is fed up by not making it into the postseason. This could change in the next couple of years, with a few additions and changes to the team.
Perhaps one of the most critical decisions is the coaching position, and Igor Kokoskov’ signing with the Phoenix Suns came in perfect time.
With the Suns signing Kokoskov for the head coaching position before the NBA Draft, there is a considerable possibility Arizona’s team drafts Luka Doncic.
A possible reunion in Phoenix? Igor Kokoskov, Luka Doncic, and Goran Dragic were all part of the 2017 EuroBasket Slovenia championship team, and all of them coming together again for the Suns is not a far-fetched idea. The All-Star guard found out that the Suns signed his national team coach and took to Twitter to show his love and support. The 31-year old Dragic had played with the Suns three seasons (2008-2011), and a comeback to his first NBA team would not seem impossible. Dragic has two more years in his Miami Heat contract before becoming a free-agent, so he could only join Phoenix in the near future via a trade.
Back in September 2017, Slovenia won the EuroBasket championship while being led by Goran Dragic, Luka Doncic and being coached by Igor Kokoskov. Kokoskov loved to play with three guards in Goran Dragic (PG), Luka Doncic (SG) and Klemen Prepelic (SF). This also showed up in the statistics, as Dragic (22.6), Doncic (14.3) and Prepelic (13.8) were Slovenia’s best three scorers. Although not having many frontline options, Kokoskov played with either naturalized Anthony Randolph – yes the 14th pick of 2008 draft and current Real Madrid star – or Gasper Vidmar in the center position in a small ball variation that’s pretty common in the current NBA era. Slovenia loved to run in transition and had a great offense, scoring 90.3 points per game. Mind you that FIBA games are 40 minutes long.
The run to the Eurobasket trophy, however, was by all means tough. Slovenia had to defeat Greece, France, the Spanish national team, Kristaps Porzingis led Latvia and in the final Bogdan Bogdanovic’s Serbia. Running in transition, long-range shooting, playing small-ball, while also attacking the rim were some of the ways Slovenia won the title for the first time in their history. Kokoskov’s team was shooting 25.6 three-pointers a game and converted on 9.0 of them, while also shot efficient from inside the arc (21.3/39.2 – 54.4%).
If Phoenix manages to trade for Goran Dragic, the Suns could copy Slovenia’s system of three guards and start Goran Dragic, Luka Doncic, and Devin Booker. A ‘big 3’ that will surely be one of the best in the league for the years to come. The problem, however, is that Arizona’s team would have to trade young pieces like Josh Jackson, Marquesse Chris, Dragan Bender and future first-round picks to Miami to achieve this trade.
Another issue, just like in Slovenia’s national team would be the frontcourt positions. Phoenix does not have a solid frontcourt line. It would be a risk to trade for Dragic but could be worth it given the fact that Kokoskov had major success with a similar system in the EuroBasket with Slovenia’s national team. It will depend on Phoenix’s choice in the upcoming Draft.
The best years of the Suns were in the mid-2000’s when a Canadian legend, Steve Nash was leading the team. And this time around, a possible trio from the Balkans (Dragic/Doncic/Kokoskov) to go along with Devin Booker can bring back the glory days to Arizona.
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