Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy, oy, oy!
The Phoenix Suns have their new general manager in place, and with it comes the first crucial step in reshaping the franchise’s identity: finding the right head coach. As names begin to surface, it’s becoming clear the organization is leaning toward younger, first-time candidates to lead the way.
Whether that’s the wisest strategy remains to be seen, but it is, at the very least, a departure from what’s come before. The Suns’ last two head coaches arrived with championship pedigrees, yet struggled to connect with this roster. The old-school, tough-love approach hasn’t resonated in Phoenix. This team needs a different voice, one that can build relationships as well as game plans.
And as the list of potential names grows, a new candidate has reportedly entered the conversation. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Washington Wizards assistant and Australian men’s national team head coach Adam Caporn is drawing interest from the Suns.
Washington Wizards assistant coach Adam Caporn is among those expected to draw consideration for the vacant head coaching position for the Suns, HoopsHype has learned.
Caporn was recently named head coach of Australia’s men’s national basketball team after serving as an assistant over the program’s last four major tournament campaigns, including winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Previously, several other potential first-time coaches have been linked to the Suns head coaching vacancy, including multiple coaches on the same teams, including Cleveland assistants Jordan Ott and Johnnie Bryant, Rockets assistants Royal Ivey and Ben Sullivan, and Mavericks assistants Sean Sweeney and Jared Dudley.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images
The addition of Caporn’s name to the growing list is yet another example of the Suns focusing on younger, less experienced candidates for the job. Maybe they’re searching for a fresh perspective, a new voice in a league that increasingly values innovation over tenure. Every head coach has to get their first shot somewhere, right?
We should learn more in the coming days about whether Caporn will emerge as a finalist, and hopefully soon, the franchise will settle on its next leader.
To whoever takes that seat, I tip my cap. This is a tough situation to walk into, given the current state of the team. Turning it around won’t be easy, and it’ll require both time and patience, something this organization hasn’t always been known for. This can’t be another hire made just to hit the reset button again next summer.
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