Elston Turner not returning to Suns

[Mainstreet]

Although Turner leaving the Suns seemed like a foregone conclusion the comments he makes in an article by Paul Coro at azcentral dated 1-24-13 indicates he thought otherwise. See link below.

Turner, 53, said the time away made him feel like he had an obligation to return to players, fans and basketball.

“I owed the players a chance to help them get better and I’m sure they’d welcome the most qualified coach,” Turner said. “I felt an obligation to the paying customer to give them the best product possible. And I love the damn game.”

When he mentioned wanting to stay, he said one executive asked him, “Well, why would you?”

“It’s tough to stay somewhere where you’re really not wanted,” said Turner, who follows fellow assistant coach Dan Majerle out the door. “It was almost like they wanted what they wanted.”

http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/paulcoro/2013/01/24/elston-turner-suns-agree-to-part-ways/

 

[Griffin]

“I owed the players a chance to help them get better and I’m sure they’d welcome the most qualified coach,”

Interesting choice of words from Turner. He's certainly right.

And it looks like the Suns didn't want him back. This team has become an organization that doesn't value experience much. Not at player level, not at GM level, and apparently not at coaching level.

 

[Chaplin]

The guy had better qualifications than Hunter, no question, but I'm not that broken up that he's gone. I mean, really, did our defense really benefit from Turner? I never saw an apparent improvement.

 

[Mainstreet]

Interesting choice of words from Turner. He's certainly right.

And it looks like the Suns didn't want him back. This team has become an organization that doesn't value experience much. Not at player level, not at GM level, and apparently not at coaching level.

It seems like the Suns ownership and FO have some grand vision for the Suns and either they are doing most everything right... or they are totally doomed and cannot see the warning lights and hear the whistles.

 

[SunsTzu]

The guy had better qualifications than Hunter, no question, but I'm not that broken up that he's gone. I mean, really, did our defense really benefit from Turner? I never saw an apparent improvement.

I don't mind the decision to move on from Turner and Majerle, but the way in which it was done is a disgrace. If you want them gone then sack up and fire them, don't string them along through a charade hoping they get so fed up they quit.

 

[Mainstreet]

The guy had better qualifications than Hunter, no question, but I'm not that broken up that he's gone. I mean, really, did our defense really benefit from Turner? I never saw an apparent improvement.

I agree, the Suns defense never seemed to improve.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't mind the decision to move on from Turner and Majerle, but the way in which it was done is a disgrace. If you want them gone then sack up and fire them, don't string them along through a charade hoping they get so fed up they quit.

Agree with that.

 

[slinslin]

“It was almost like they wanted what they wanted.”

???

 

[Covert Rain]

I don't mind the decision to move on from Turner and Majerle, but the way in which it was done is a disgrace. If you want them gone then sack up and fire them, don't string them along through a charade hoping they get so fed up they quit.

I agree. Sarver and this FO look like a bunch of cowards and just managed to more damage to the image of the organization. Just when I thought they couldn't make this FO look more pathetic....they did.

 

[KloD]

I don't mind the decision to move on from Turner and Majerle, but the way in which it was done is a disgrace. If you want them gone then sack up and fire them, don't string them along through a charade hoping they get so fed up they quit.

Really? The F.O. picked someone over these two for whatever the reasons and they should have fired them rather than offer to keep them on the staff? That just seems silly and I'm sure they wouldn't have been crying on the radio had that happened. Jeez. These two chose to walk out. It was their choice and they're still getting paid. They didn't honor their contracts. They went crying to the public. I wouldn't want either back after they walked out and I certainly would take their actions into consideration before hiring them (different team).

I have no idea how they were strung along? If you mean because they claim they never had a chance. That's their perspective, doesn't make it fact.

 

[SunsTzu]

Really? The F.O. picked someone over these two for whatever the reasons and they should have fired them rather than offer to keep them on the staff? That just seems silly and I'm sure they wouldn't have been crying on the radio had that happened. Jeez. These two chose to walk out. It was their choice and they're still getting paid. They didn't honor their contracts. They went crying to the public. I wouldn't want either back after they walked out and I certainly would take their actions into consideration before hiring them (different team).

I have no idea how they were strung along? If you mean because they claim they never had a chance. That's their perspective, doesn't make it fact.

You obviously didn't read and/or are failing to understand the quotes in the OP.

 

[overseascardfan]

This actually helps PHX because it is a damn near lock they are going to end up in the Top 3 as long as the ping pong balls don't screw us. Nerlens / Goodwin here we come.

 

[SirStefan32]

This actually helps PHX because it is a damn near lock they are going to end up in the Top 3 as long as the ping pong balls don't screw us. Nerlens / Goodwin here we come.

Ok, ignoring the fact that this (Turner being kicked out) has absolutely no effect on the Suns record... are you saying you think the Suns are going to take Goodwin if they have one of the top 3 picks?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Really? The F.O. picked someone over these two for whatever the reasons and they should have fired them rather than offer to keep them on the staff? That just seems silly and I'm sure they wouldn't have been crying on the radio had that happened. Jeez. These two chose to walk out. It was their choice and they're still getting paid. They didn't honor their contracts. They went crying to the public. I wouldn't want either back after they walked out and I certainly would take their actions into consideration before hiring them (different team).

I have no idea how they were strung along? If you mean because they claim they never had a chance. That's their perspective, doesn't make it fact.

have you ever seen a scenario like this play out when other coaches are fired? i sure as hell haven't, thus it leads me to believe some pretty stupid ish went down... and with this FO's history of doing stupid ish, not sure how hard that can be questioned.

 

[KloD]

You obviously didn't read and/or are failing to understand the quotes in the OP.

Ah, so because I disagree I must not understand? Ok.... LOL!

He walked out. He was unprofessional. It's that simple. You claim they strung him along. I don't get how you got that from the OP? I have little doubt that had he remained professional and had not let his emotions rule than he would still be with the team. His actions IMO are why he was shown the door. He's lucky to still collect his checks. Shows the Suns are honoring his contract even when he didn't.

 

[SunsTzu]

Ah, so because I disagree I must not understand? Ok.... LOL!

He walked out. He was unprofessional. It's that simple. You claim they strung him along. I don't get how you got that from the OP? I have little doubt that had he remained professional and had not let his emotions rule than he would still be with the team. His actions IMO are why he was shown the door. He's lucky to still collect his checks. Shows the Suns are honoring his contract even when he didn't.

He says he wanted to stay. If you choose to believe he's lying, Majerle is lying, Gentry is lying and all reports supporting them are wrong then fine.

Btw they have to pay Turner, otherwise he'd be able to sign on to Adleman's staff like he wanted to when he requested his release. They aren't doing him any favors.

 

[Errntknght]

If you don't want them on the staff, then yes, the right thing to do is fire them - don't say they're welcome back but make sure they know you don't want them. They probably needed to go as they could well become seeds of dissension.

I disagree with van Gundy's take - just because a coach is a good coach is not sufficient reason to keep him. I'd have fired Gentry long ago because he's not nearly enough defensive oriented (no surprise, I know). I think philosophical differences of that kind are perfectly legitimate reasons to fire a coach.

I'm really glad to see that Hunter made Kokoskov his lead assistant - I hoped their time together on the Pistons would lead to that happening.

I did see a slight improvement in the Suns defense this year but it was primarily in PJ Tucker and Telfair so perhaps it had little to do with Elston Turner. The players were more consistent in trying to force drivers to the baseline though the execution didn't really shine - that probably was Turner's hand and its a good place to start. He probably needed to leave for 'structural' reasons - Hunter needs a strong offensive coach as his second in command.

 

[AzStevenCal]

He says he wanted to stay. If you choose to believe he's lying, Majerle is lying, Gentry is lying and all reports supporting them are wrong then fine.

Btw they have to pay Turner, otherwise he'd be able to sign on to Adleman's staff like he wanted to when he requested his release. They aren't doing him any favors.

Maybe I'm missing something but I think he's talking about the no-show by Turner for the first few days after the Hunter hiring. I really don't know what went on here but from my seat it just doesn't look right. It sure seems like these interviews were pro forma but I'm not sure how unusual that is. Our front office has not earned the benefit of the doubt but if this was Jerry C taking these steps, I'd be vocal in my support of his actions. As it's Sarver, Babby & Blanks, I just don't know what to think.

Steve

 

[Errntknght]

He says he wanted to stay. If you choose to believe he's lying, Majerle is lying, Gentry is lying and all reports supporting them are wrong then fine.

Btw they have to pay Turner, otherwise he'd be able to sign on to Adleman's staff like he wanted to when he requested his release. They aren't doing him any favors.

I don't believe that Sarver would pay Turner to keep him from joining Adleman now. This is Saver we are talking about...

 

[KloD]

He says he wanted to stay. If you choose to believe he's lying, Majerle is lying, Gentry is lying and all reports supporting them are wrong then fine.

Btw they have to pay Turner, otherwise he'd be able to sign on to Adleman's staff like he wanted to when he requested his release. They aren't doing him any favors.

I never thought anyone was lying. Everyone involved has a perspective. I also don't care that he wants to come back. He walked out. He made that choice. It's been widely reported. His unprofessional behavior in a position like that is not acceptable IMO. I believe had he kept his cool and accepted their decision he would still be with the team. He could have moved on this summer and put it in the past. Rather he let his emotions rule his professional behavior and isn't welcome back.

About having to pay him, that's just silly.

I'm really not trying to jump at you. i just find this whole thing silly and believe Marjele and Turned are getting a bunch of unwarranted sympathy. I can't say I would have hired Hunter, but if I wanted to change things and how the locker room was being run, I wouldn't have hired either of them myself for the mere fact that they were a big part of what I am trying to replace. That some sports reporters and loud fans are making a bunch of noise over it and calling it "unfair", sorry that just rings silly to me.

 

[SunsTzu]

I never thought anyone was lying. Everyone involved has a perspective. I also don't care that he wants to come back. He walked out. He made that choice. It's been widely reported. His unprofessional behavior in a position like that is not acceptable IMO. I believe had he kept his cool and accepted their decision he would still be with the team. He could have moved on this summer and put it in the past. Rather he let his emotions rule his professional behavior and isn't welcome back.

About having to pay him, that's just silly.

I'm really not trying to jump at you. i just find this whole thing silly and believe Marjele and Turned are getting a bunch of unwarranted sympathy. I can't say I would have hired Hunter, but if I wanted to change things and how the locker room was being run, I wouldn't have hired either of them myself for the mere fact that they were a big part of what I am trying to replace. That some sports reporters and loud fans are making a bunch of noise over it and calling it "unfair", sorry that just rings silly to me.

To clarify I don't have any sympathy for Turner or Majerle. I never bought into Turner's reputation as a defensive guru and don't really have anything to judge Majerle on outside of SL.

The way in which the front office handled this is what I have a problem with. The fact they hadn't decided who the interim coach was prior to firing Gentry speaks to their incompetence, and is something you simply don't see whenever there is a coaching change. The only time I can recall a team conducting interviews after firing a coach is when they are looking outside the current staff. The FO claims each coach had a 25% chance rings hallow given their exposure to them.

 

[Chaplin]

To clarify I don't have any sympathy for Turner or Majerle. I never bought into Turner's reputation as a defensive guru and don't really have anything to judge Majerle on outside of SL.

The way in which the front office handled this is what I have a problem with. The fact they hadn't decided who the interim coach was prior to firing Gentry speaks to their incompetence, and is something you simply don't see whenever there is a coaching change. The only time I can recall a team conducting interviews after firing a coach is when they are looking outside the current staff. The FO claims each coach had a 25% chance rings hallow given their exposure to them.

To be fair, they fired Gentry the day after a game when their next game wasn't for 5 days. So I'm guessing their point-of-view is that they had time to make an informed decision. Of course, that could all just be a smokescreen if the rumors of Hunter being the choice all along is true.