Responsibility, criticism fall on Suns PGs
Phoenix Suns coach Igor Kokoskov has noticed the strain on Isaiah Canaan’s face recently.
“Last two games, I was talking to Isaiah and I was like, ‘I see you’re being upset looking on the court,’ ” Kokoskov said. “He said, ‘Coach, I’m upset with myself.’ ”
Canaan is taking his recent subpar play to heart, but playing point guard for the first-time NBA head coach is probably adding to the stress he’s placing on himself.
“His expectations, what he expects out of his point guards,” Canaan said. “He gives his point guards a lot of responsibility. We have to understand that. We have to take that and take control of everything that’s going on.”
Kokoskov can see Canaan cares, but said before the season the point guards are an extension of him on the floor. He’s stayed true to that during the regular season, which has led to a heavy burden on those playing that position.
“He’s on us the most,” Canaan continued. “He’s on us about remembering everything no matter how tough it is. Making sure we know where everybody needs to be at no matter what the situation is. Really, just taking ownership and just being responsible.”
Rookie De’Anthony Melton can attest to Canaan’s viewpoint, but said they can’t get too “wrapped up” in coaching for Kokoskov.
“He really relies on his point guards, but you’ve got to be a player at the end of the day, too,” Melton said.
“Sometimes positions don’t matter. You’ve just got to go out there and play. Anyone can bring up the ball. Anybody can take it out. Anybody can shoot the ball. At the end of the day we’re all players.” The league is seen by many as position-less, but point guard remains the NBA’s most important — and coveted — position. Meanwhile, Phoenix still appears to be experimenting at that spot.
The Suns entered preseason with four point guards with a plan to play “two-and-a-half.” They cut one — Shaquille Harrison — and signed a veteran one — Jamal Crawford — right before the opener.
Canaan has been the starter, but he entered Wednesday’s game against San Antonio averaging just 3.5 assists.
Devin Booker leads the Suns in assists (6.4) from the shooting guard position as he’s often ran the point, especially in crucial moments.
Canaan’s also struggling scoring. He finished Monday’s game with one point, missed his three shot attempts. Before facing the Spurs, Canaan scored a total of 12 points in his last three games on 5of-24 shooting. He missed 18 of 23 shots from 3 in those games.
No wonder Canaan, who is in his sixth NBA season, has been “upset” with himself, but Kokoskov likes his heart.
“He’s a tough kid,” Kokoskov said. “He’s expecting more of himself.” Then there’s Crawford.
The 18-year veteran is more of a scorer than a facilitator, but he’s initiated the offense as well.
How Kokoskov is utilizing Booker and Crawford speaks to Melton’s point, but Phoenix spent all offseason trying to find a proven point guard.
The Suns still have a need at the position, but Kokoskov has established what he wants out of whoever plays the point for the Suns.
“My expectations for the point guard position are very high when it comes to following game plan, running the team,” he said. “I also encourage guys to play with a freedom. Freedom that we give them requires some responsibilities.”
Kokoskov admits finding that balance between following the game plan and playing free isn’t easy.
“We don’t want to see robots,” Kokoskov said.
“I don’t want to call every play. The truth is somewhere in between. We want to play with more pace, more freedom, but also be more responsible when it comes to the right decisions. Make the simple play. You don’t have to make home run play and every pass got to be an assist. Just be solid. Run the team.”
In short, Kokoskov wants his point guards to lead and literally hold the team together.
“Almost be invisible,” Kokoskov said. “I think that’s maybe a good description for a point guard position. Be a glue guy. Makes everybody else better. You don’t have to necessarily be a focal point on the court, but you’re a glue guy when it comes to the offense and defense.”
The Suns have played two rookies at point guard, with Elie Okobo seeing more action than Melton.
The rookie from France has played in 11 NBA games, started for the injured Canaan against the Spurs and scored a career-high 18 points in a loss at Oklahoma City, when Canaan got hurt.
Numbers are nice, but Kokoskov, sticking to his word, has assigned both Okobo and Melton to Phoenix’s G League affiliate, the Northern Arizona Suns.
Okobo nearly had a triple-double — 15 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and two steals — in his first G League game Tuesday against the Santa Cruz Warriors
Melton actually got one in his first G League game — 19 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds — in 39 minutes while leading Northern Arizona to its first win of the season last week.
“When you get assists early, I could see how they were playing me,” said Melton, who played in just two NBA games going into Wednesday’s action. “They’re going to keep overplaying and I kept kicking it out.”
Kokoskov wants Melton and Okobo to use the G League as an opportunity to gain experience running a team in hopes they return to Phoenix not only better players, but better players who can help them win.
“It’s a great opportunity to play a lot of minutes,” Kokoskov said.
“To have those lights on himself and focus on himself and run the team and score and defend and fight through fatigue.”
Melton needs that experience more than Okobo because he didn’t play at Southern Cal last season as a close family friend was linked to college basketball bribery scandal.
“Down in the G League, I got to handle the ball a lot and really run a team and show what I can do,” Melton said. “I was grateful for that.”