Steve Kerr will take his time finding a replacement for Mike D'Antoni.

The assistants generating the most buzz are Boston's Tom Thibodeau and Detroit's Michael Curry, but both are defensive-minded coaches, and Kerr is not looking for a drastic change in the Suns' style.

There are three former Suns players who are assistants on Western Conference playoff teams - the Lakers' Kurt Rambis, Utah's Tyrone Corbin and New Orleans' Kenny Gattison.

Former Suns players and coaches Paul Silas, Paul Westphal, Vinny Del Negro, Eddie Johnson and Lionel Hollins also have surfaced in speculation.

"I don't want to do a 180 and all of a sudden try to turn us into something we're not," Kerr said. "I still want us to maintain our identity as an uptempo team. I'd like to expand that and be more balanced and add some defensive emphasis, but not at the expense of who we are.

"I want someone who's good with the media and communicates well with players and fans. Someone with a strong presence."

Via Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns

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