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Suns seriously considered Doc Rivers

The Phoenix Suns “seriously considered” former Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers for their head coaching position, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Rivers, who is 61, was a reported finalist for the Suns’ job, along with Frank Vogel, who got the position, and the team’s associate head coach, Kevin Young. “I just know that as of yesterday, I was talking to somebody who was talking to somebody in the Suns’ organization when the Suns were doing due diligence on Doc and Frank Vogel,” Windhorst said in “The Hoop Collective” podcast around the 35-minute mark. “…I mean, you pretty much know who Doc is at this point, but they were seriously looking at it.”
Fast-forward four years, and they’re teammates on a No. 8-seed Heat team that has clawed its way to the NBA Finals. Highsmith still remembers the lessons Butler imparted to him in Philadelphia. “Working out twice a day, three times a day, which he would do sometimes,” he says. “Also understanding your body, not pushing it too far where you’re feeling not the best. Maintaining good diet as well.”

Frank Vogel was Suns' top choice all along

Philadelphia got Nick Nurse, but Frank Vogel was always the guy Phoenix wanted. Sources told The Republic Vogel was the Suns’ first choice of the five finalists for their vacant head-coaching position. Suns associate head coach Kevin Young, Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez, Doc Rivers, Nurse and Vogel were the finalists.