Everyone knew that Jeff Hornacek would be a hot coaching candidate this offseason. The Utah Jazz assistant coach left this past week to take over the head coaching job with the Phoenix Suns, and I think that the Jazz will really miss him in the end. Hornacek could have been looked at as a possible replacement for Tyrone Corbin if the team missed the playoffs again this coming season.
He was an assistant with the Jazz for two-plus seasons and was a part-time shooting coach for the team for four years, and you could argue whether Utah should have made a move to just make Hornacek their own coach.
There is definitely going to be a rebuild happening with the Jazz next season if they don’t sign their major free agents. I don’t believe we will be seeing Utah near the playoffs if that happens. It will likely make Corbin someone who is on the chopping block. The team missed the playoffs this year anyway, so why not try to promote Hornacek to be their own head coach?
Everyone had interest in Hornacek and he did land in a good position with the Suns since he was drafted by them in 1986. He will be very familiar with his surroundings there.
I’m not sure of the direction that the Jazz is going though. There are a lot of young players who should be able to fill in for the likely-departed Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. I just wish that Utah would have kept Hornacek around to mentor those young players.
Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports, like his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google.
Defense isn't the only problem plaguing the Toronto Raptors, and despite their recent wins, an alarming trend of miserable three-point shooting could soon stop the team in their tracks. Read More
The Cleveland Cavaliers just extended their winning streak to seven games, and the pinnacle of this newly found success is not LeBron James. Read More
Jeremy Lin thrived when the ball was in his hands. Kobe Bryant is lost for the season, and the time is right to turn the team over to Lin and see what he can do. Read More
Could Kemba Walker’s injury turn into the Miami Heat finally securing Dwyane Wade’s backup? Read More
Here are the 2014-15 Miami Heat midseason grades. Read More
An already frustrating season has taken a turn for the worst as Byron Scott randomizes his rotations. Doing so without warning his players comprises their already shaky rapport. Read More
Toronto Raptors have been great this season despite recent hiccups. Here's how they grade out at the season's midway point. Read More
The Warriors are a hard team to beat. They are definitely at the top of their game and the top of the class. Read More
The Boston Celtics are playing with a ton of heart and are actually winning some games. This proves a challenge to Danny Ainge's mission to tank. Read More
Week 13 edition of RantSports' NBA Power Rankings. Read More
It has been an interesting and unpredictable first half to the NBA season. Here are the 10 most surprising teams thus far. Read More
Ranking the NBA coach of the year candidates at the midway point of the season. Read More