Eric Bledsoe sidelined after suffering meniscus tear

At 12-20, losers of six of eight and four straight, and with Eric Bledsoe out until maybe after the All-Star break, things are looking bleak for a team that had legitimate hopes of a playoff appearance.

Former Iowa Energy coach Nate Bjorkgren has been promoted to a front-of-the-bench assistant for the Phoenix Suns, the team announced Monday.

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly making some changes to its coaching staff amid the team’s recent slide in the standings.

Jeff Hornacek will be retained but the Suns are promoting several new assistants in the wake of a 12-20 start. According to ESPN, the Suns have fired assistant coaches Mike Longabardi and Jerry Sichting. Evidence? How about forward Markieff Morris throwing a towel at the coach – and getting suspended two games for it.

Hornacek described Saturday’s loss to the lowly 76ers as “a low point” for a team in the midst of a 5-15 stretch. Watson averaged 6.4 points, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals for his career, posting highs of 10.7 points and 6.8 assists in 78 games (73 starts) with Seattle in 2007-08.

“Now the confidence is lacking”, said Hornacek, whose team was expected to contend after the arrival of Brandon Knight last February and the offseason addition of Tyson Chandler. He is in the second season of a five-year, $70million deal.