Coach aims to sustain success

While the Suns were winning over their fans again last season, the coaching staff was winning over the Suns.

Jeff Hornacek, a rookie head coach, and his staff struck the ideal balance between communication and accountability to gain the respect and effort of a young team. It worked for a 23-win improvement during a season that was a constant learning process for a new staff.

Ideally, that base has made it easier to make the next steps for the staff. They can throw new wrinkles into the system. They no longer have to spend time finding out where players like the ball and who plays and defends well together, other than newcomers.

“We didn’t really know what we were going to get last year and the way they would play together,” Hornacek said. “We’re getting a better feeling as time goes on.”

They did just fine last season. Hornacek finished second to San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich for Coach of the Year.

Assistant coach Jerry Sichting worked with Hornacek to structure an offense that featured two playmakers, and it resulted in 105.2 points per game. Assistant coach Mike Longabardi coordinated a defense that went from finishing 25th in defensive field-goal percentage in 2012-13 to 13th in his first Suns season.

Assistant coaches Kenny Gattison and Mark West worked with the big men, and the Suns enjoyed a surprising breakthrough for starting center Miles Plumlee. The team also benefited from a career season from power forward Markieff Morris, who was one of the league’s top sixth men.