Jared Dudley: Next Suns coach needs to develop talent, teach fundamentals

Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley likely won’t have a say in who general manager Ryan McDonough and Co. hire as the next head coach, but the six-year veteran definitely has an idea of what he wants.

Dudley, who has already played for five coaches (Sam Vincent, Larry Brown, Terry Porter, Alvin Gentry and Lindsey Hunter) during his NBA career, told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Tuesday that prior pro experience shouldn’t be the determining factor.

“You can show me examples of people who haven’t played and who have been successful, and people who have played and been successful,” Dudley said. “My whole thing is you need someone — with our team being a young team — who can develop young talent. We have three first-round picks still here after this year’s draft.”

The Suns’ youth and subsequent inability to execute fundamentals certainly played a role in the team’s disappointing 25-57 campaign in 2012-13. Phoenix was second-worst in the league in turnovers per game (14.9) and third-worst in point differential (-6.4) this season.

The way Dudley sees it, the next coach can’t just be one-dimensional, though. In addition to developing talent, the Suns forward believes being a respected teacher is pivotal to the position.

“We lack the ball movement and knowing all the plays and counters,” said Dudley. “So, we need someone who knows X’s and O’s really, really good and can show us that. If he can play X spot or coach it, we’ll take him.”