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Hornacek on Arizona Sports: ‘Markieff has Turned the Corner’

Suns Head Coach Jeff Hornacek joined Arizona Sports recently to discuss the recent impressive play of the team.

Aside from several players stepping up, he credits the surge to one thing: consistency.

“During this stretch, there has been some consistency,” Hornacek said. “As coaches, we all expect that intense defensive stand for all 48 minutes a game. Sometimes that’s difficult to do. We’re trying to get our defense to do that more than 12 or 24 minutes in a game.

“If you ever want to get to the top you have to do it for all 48 [minutes].”

One of the most consistent players throughout the entire season, for that matter, has been Markieff Morris. Over the last 17 games, Keef is shooting 50.7 percent from the floor over and is averaging 16.2 points and five rebounds.

“This year he’s really turned the corner,” Hornacek added. “He’s a little more intense. To be a power forward in this league you have to be a little nasty, [and be] able to hit people. I think Markieff is doing a great job of that. He’s turning into a great player and adding leadership to the mix; he’s having a great year.”

Nevertheless, even though the Suns are one of the hottest teams in the league and winners of 13 of their last 17 games, Hornacek isn’t satisfied – especially considering the brutal upcoming stretch of games which include the Blazers, Rockets, Clippers, Wizards, Bulls and Warriors.

For the Suns to make a strong push, Hornacek knows the Suns will have to continue to elevate their play to an even higher level.

“I don’t think coaches are ever happy until you win the championship,” Hornacek said. “It’s something we’re always striving to do – [to] get better. In 82 games, you’re not going to have it every night. Sometimes we have to be more patient and hopefully they’ll turn it on.

“The good teams will find ways to win.”

Listed to the entire interview with Jeff Hornacek on Arizona Sports below: