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As the Phoenix Suns continue the search for their next head coach, The Arizona Republic thought it was a good time to remember some past coaches who are among the leaders in franchise wins and let readers decide who was the best.
Our list includes coaches who had an overall winning record with at least 100 wins and at least one playoff appearance (per Basketball Reference).
Cast your vote in our poll below for the former Suns coach you think was the all-time best. Here is a brief description of each, listed alphabetically, followed by the poll, which will close at 7 p.m. on May 14 (print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/suns-nba).
Danny Ainge: 1996-99 (resigned partway through 1999-2000 season), overall record 136-90, three playoff appearances.
Mike D’Antoni: 2004-08 (took over partway through 2003-04 season), overall record 253-136, four playoff appearances.
Cotton Fitzsimmons: Coached 1971-72, 1989-92 and1996-97; overall record 341-208, five playoff appearances.
Alvin Gentry: 2009-13, 158-144, one playoff appearance.
John MacLeod: 1973-87, 579-543 overall record, nine playoff appearances, including the team’s first NBA Finals appearance in 1976.
Scott Skiles: 1999-2002 (took over partway through 1999-2000 season), 116-79, two playoff appearances.
Paul Westphal: 1992-96, 191-88 overall record, three playoff appearances, including team’s second NBA Finals in 1993.
Monty Williams: 2019-23, 194-115, three playoff appearances, including team’s third NBA Finals in 2021.
(Poll may take a few moments to load. If having difficulty voting click here).