"I played 14 years in the league, and it wasn't because of athletic ability," says Jeff Hornacek, one of the all-time great Iowa State basketball players. "It's from knowing the game."
Hornacek became a beloved NBA player in not one, but two cities, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. His jersey number was retired by the Utah Jazz. He not only knew the game, he played it hard, smart and well.
Surprisingly, he is on the long list of candidates to become the next Chicago Bulls head coach. And he's only a part-time assistant coach with the Utah Jazz.
Chicago newspapers have reported Hornacek will be interviewed for the Bulls' job. He also reportedly will interview for the head coaching job of the Phoenix Suns, and probably has a much better chance there than Chicago, where the choice would get ripped up and down Lake Michigan.
Is Hornacek the man to get Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire and Shaquille O'Neal to mesh? He may get hired by the Suns, but as a full-time assistant. He lives in the Phoenix area.
Here's the link to a story on the subject from the East Valley Tribune in the Phoenix area:
Hornacek to coach?