Coach Hornacek on Tyson Chandler: Suns looking for a leader
The Phoenix Suns could use a little bit of a veteran presence in the locker room. In fact, it might be the biggest piece of the puzzle that's currently missing in Phoenix. And with the acquisition of Tyson Chandler, the Suns are hoping that they have the leader they're looking for.
Coach Jeff Hornacek told Dave King of Bright Side of the Sun as much late last week. Hornacek has already made it clear that he thinks Chandler will be the Suns' leader next year, and that he expects the team to buy into Chandler's approach, even when he gets on them. Chandler, for his part, said that he'll relish the role, but it's up to the other guys to believe in what he's saying; he can't force them to let him lead them.
For his part, Hornacek thinks that the guys that remain in Phoenix will listen to Chandler:
"We'll break it down," he said. "We have guys now we're getting rid of that aren't gonna do that. And that's where [Chandler's] leadership will... I can't think of any guys in our locker room now that would give him any trouble. I think our guys really are looking for someone to lead them."
"I think the guys are relishing, ‘hey we got a guy that we can follow, that can lead'," Hornacek added. "A lot of these guys are worried about themselves right now. They're new to playing. Now they can just relax on that part and follow somebody."
Hornacek told King that the leaders need to be the Suns' best players -- it doesn't really make sense for your 10th or 11th guy on the roster to be the team's leader, Hornacek said. And although Chandler will certainly help, Hornacek also added that he's looking for one of his young point guards to step up as a leader, too.
(h/t Bright Side of the Sun)
