Mike D'Antoni talks Hall of Fame, Seven Seconds Or Less Suns, Devin Booker & more
On Episode 30 of the Suns After Dark Podcast, legendary Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni joins the pod to discuss being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, his time with the Seven Seconds Or Less Suns, Devin Booker and much more! First off, D'Antoni gives his thoughts on being inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Amar'e Stoudemire. Next, he recalls his fondest memories and greatest struggles with Steve Nash and the Seven Seconds Or Less Suns. After that, he discusses where he got the idea for his up-tempo style of play, emphasis on pace and space, willingness to play small and how he embraced the 3-point line, as well as whether he likes the modern NBA and where the game is heading next. From there, D'Antoni explained what it was like coaching brilliant players like Steve Nash, James Harden and Chris Paul, as well as what it was like coaching alongside current Suns coach Jordan Ott in Brooklyn. Finally, D'Antoni gives his thoughts on what it would mean if he were to be inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor before answering some questions from Suns After Dark Patreon members, like whether he'd take the Seven Seconds Or Less Suns or the Harden/CP3 Rockets in a 7-game series, how he moved on from painful playoff losses, which current Suns player he'd like to have on those Seven Seconds Or Less teams and plenty more. 0:00 - Intro 1:45 - Thoughts on being inducted into the Hall of Fame 3:35 - How the Seven Seconds Or Less Suns were born in Italy 7:30 - The role Steve Nash played in Mike D'Antoni's playing style 12:10 - Which season Mike D'Antoni thinks the Suns got the closest 13:55 - How he handled personnel changes (like losing Joe Johnson and adding Shaquille O'Neal) as a coach 17:15 - How he stomached the Suns' tough playoff losses and what memories stick out looking back on on his career 21:25 - Being a pioneer of the modern NBA and his biggest regrets looking back 22:35 - Whether it was vindicating or bittersweet seeing the Warriors win a title playing a similar style 23:20 - What he thinks of the modern NBA game, where he sees it going and his thoughts on analytics 26:20 - What it was like coaching Steve Nash 29:35 - Coaching brilliant players like Steve Nash, James Harden and Chris Paul 32:10 - His impressions of Devin Booker as the Suns' new face of the franchise 33:15 - Coaching with Jordan Ott in Brooklyn 34:15 - What it would mean to be inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor 35:35 - Questions from Suns Patreon members - Why Suns didn't hold Amar'e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw back in '07 37:05 - Whether Seven Seconds Or Less Suns and Harden/CP3 Rockets are among best teams to never win a title, and who would win in a 7-game series 38:20 - Which current Sun Mike D'Antoni would want on the Seven Seconds Or Less teams 39:30 - What he wishes fans understood about the development of young players 41:15 - How he recovered from heartbreaking losses 42:35 - Favorite memories of Marshall University 44:10 - James Harden stories 46:45 - Mike D'Antoni's Hall of Fame message for Suns fans
