Gentry Has Lost His Damn Mind

[Covert Rain]

Seriously. What the hell is he doing? His strange lineups and combinations continue. Can anybody make heads or tails of what he is doing?

The scary part is he is either truly stumped and doesn't know what to do or he really believes he is making the right decisions. Either way, I don't want this guy as my long term coach. He still refuses to put the best defenders on the court at the same time. What the hell is there to lose?

The players are getting frustrated on the court now. I watched both Carter and Gortat shake their heads when players blew right by other Suns or missed their rotations on defense.

Now Nash is picking up technical fouls and complaining more then ever on the court. He looks especially frustrated.

If Gentry has not lost this team....he is about to.

 

[Trifecta]

Maybe we've decided to tank the season so he is doing whatever it takes to lose games?

If that's the plan, then at this point I'm all for it. It's not as if actually trying to win was helping us win anyways.

If it isn't the plan, then Sarver's ineptitude must be spreading.

 

[Hoop Head]

I don't think he had much a mind to lose, there is a reason he has never been given much thought for a head coaching gig before he took over for Porter.

I do agree 100% that if he has not lost this team yet he is about to.

 

[elindholm]

I don't think he had much a mind to lose, there is a reason he has never been given much thought for a head coaching gig before he took over for Porter.

Huh? He was a head coach twice before (Pistons, Clippers) and did a solid job.

 

[jagu]

I loved how Gentry coached last year. There's a lot of random lineups that take the court nowadays. I don't know how much of that is his fault since he has so many wings that need minutes but its insane out there.

 

[Mulli]

Coaches always forget how to coach when talent level drops.

 

[AfroSuns]

Some are quick to laud coaches like Phil; who couldn't get past the first round of PO with the best player in the league until they landed Gasol, or Popovich with his big 3; who got swept by Gentry in his first year, something D'Atoni was unable to do, talk about selective memory.
You lose two of the best scorers in the league on a team that depends more on its offensive output every night they take the floor. Gentry may have tried to instill some defensive mindset, but the MO of this ball club is not going to change overnight unless some major pieces are moved.
Maybe Gentry's tinkering needs to stop; I for one will like to see him bury Hakim "one trick pony" Warrick on the bench.
But get real people - No one can make A silk purse out of a sow's ear

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Coaches always forget how to coach when talent level drops.

Amen, you can't make chicken salad out of...well, you know.

 

[Yuma]

Not to bring up ANOTHER lineup, but we are giving up a TON of points each game. If Hill is hurt for awhile, then try Gortat, Lopez, Frye, Carter, and Nash. We are just a half game away from Golden State. Our last win we played defense and out rebounded our opponents. Then we roll into Denver and play Matador defense and almost gave up 140 points! We need to build the team to beat the Lakers. We need some more bigs, and must become more defense oriented. We are a small team, that doesn't play defense. It's obvious the direction we need to go in.

 

[jagu]

Not to bring up ANOTHER lineup, but we are giving up a TON of points each game. If Hill is hurt for awhile, then try Gortat, Lopez, Frye, Carter, and Nash. We are just a half game away from Golden State. Our last win we played defense and out rebounded our opponents. Then we roll into Denver and play Matador defense and almost gave up 140 points! We need to build the team to beat the Lakers. We need some more bigs, and must become more defense oriented. We are a small team, that doesn't play defense. It's obvious the direction we need to go in.

The first step would be to bring in a coach that is interested in defense.

 

[desertdawg]

It's like watching an episode of Lost, but not one of the goods ones in like season 1 or 2.
No I am talking one of the later episodes, where nothing makes sense, so they try and show clips of the first episodes to make it all better.

When the show was excruciating to watch, and now it's like that watching Sarvers Suns ran by Gentry who has no clue of what to do. It is a bad bad bad team. Bring in a new coach to get something out of the players.

 

[carey]

Gortat and Lopez can't play together. Neither can score outside of 10ft, and our offense is already sputtering. I really wish people would stop suggesting it. Frye is actually a pretty decent defender. Last night's lineup was really close to our best defensive one. It would be Nash-MP-Hill-Frye-Gortat as starters, with Dudley as first sub, but since Hill is hurt you can slide Josh in there. Nash-MP-Childress-Frye-Gortat, Dudley first sub.

 

[carey]

It's like watching an episode of Lost, but not one of the goods ones in like season 1 or 2.
No I am talking one of the later episodes, where nothing makes sense, so they try and show clips of the first episodes to make it all better.

When the show was excruciating to watch, and now it's like that watching Sarvers Suns ran by Gentry who has no clue of what to do. It is a bad bad bad team. Bring in a new coach to get something out of the players.

I never found it excruciating to watch. I loved the ending of the show actually, but I did feel like there were to many red herrings. I kind of like the Event right now because they tease you with something then follow up on it pretty quickly. Unlike Lost which would do it like 10 episodes later and you already almost forgot about it.

 

[Hoop Head]

Huh? He was a head coach twice before (Pistons, Clippers) and did a solid job.

He was head coach 3 times before, you forgot Miami. In 7 seasons he made the playoffs once with those teams. He had a record of 177-226. The Pistons managed to make the playoffs after he was replaced mid season there. How can you call that a solid job?

He may be a good assistant but once he is put in charge, he can't lead his team anywhere. He is a filler coach, someone that won't win you anything but is decent enough to keep players happy until a permanent coach is available.

 

[elindholm]

He was head coach 3 times before, you forgot Miami. In 7 seasons he made the playoffs once with those teams. He had a record of 177-226. The Pistons managed to make the playoffs after he was replaced mid season there. How can you call that a solid job?

I didn't follow his time in either Miami or Detroit, so I don't know what his talent level was like. I watched the Clippers several times when he was there and thought they were doing a pretty good job given their roster.

Not everyone can be a winning coach. Roughly half of all teams in the league in any given season will have losing records. Is Byron Scott a bad coach because his team lost by 55 last night? Erik Spoelstra suddenly looks a whole lot better than he used to, doesn't he?

He is a filler coach, someone that won't win you anything but is decent enough to keep players happy until a permanent coach is available.

That's what people say about pretty much any "career assistant" until the right opportunity comes along.

 

[Hoop Head]

I didn't follow his time in either Miami or Detroit, so I don't know what his talent level was like. I watched the Clippers several times when he was there and thought they were doing a pretty good job given their roster.

If you didn't know anything about his time in Detroit why did you mention it as part of your original statement that he was a solid coach? With the Clippers he improved their record when he took over but couldn't get them to .500 and was let go in his 3rd year when they were 19-39 at the time. Which seems to be the just slightly worse than were the Suns are headed right now.

Not everyone can be a winning coach. Roughly half of all teams in the league in any given season will have losing records. Is Byron Scott a bad coach because his team lost by 55 last night? Erik Spoelstra suddenly looks a whole lot better than he used to, doesn't he?

Byron Scott is in his first year with Cleveland and has a pretty good track record before he took that job. Did anyone expect anything out of Cleveland after the offseason? No.

Spoelstra was on the hot seat earlier this year and if the heat were still playing like they were in the first 15-20 games this season he would not be their head coach today.

That's what people say about pretty much any "career assistant" until the right opportunity comes along.

That is what Gentry is a "career assistant". When D'Antoni left I don't remember anyone saying this is Gentry's opportunity. I can't remember hearing Gentry's name ever mentioned for any open HC position in the last 5 years for any team.

 

[Covert Rain]

No one can make A silk purse out of a sow's ear

You assuming he knows how to sow. I think he is used to iron on patches.

 

[BC867]

The first step would be to bring in a coach that is interested in defense.

'Gotta disagree with you there. The first step would be to bring in an owner and front office who understand the need for team balance.

Alvin Gentry tried accentuating defense, but out team is built for offense and the Suns trademark -- small ball. And it all hit the fan.

 

[Covert Rain]

Alvin Gentry tried accentuating defense, but out team is built for offense and the Suns trademark -- small ball. And it all hit the fan.

You sure about that? Cause he has guys on this team with better defensive #'s then some of the guys getting minutes and that has been for the sake of his offense.

 

[BC867]

You sure about that? Cause he has guys on this team with better defensive #'s then some of the guys getting minutes and that has been for the sake of his offense.

'Good point. But, with this roster (and Nash's skills at PG) would we be better keeping our offensive skills while trying to improve our defense . . . or do a 180 and reduce what we are best at.

Once again, the key phrase is with this roster. It is just not balanced.

 

[mojorizen7]

Not to bring up ANOTHER lineup, but we are giving up a TON of points each game. If Hill is hurt for awhile, then try Gortat, Lopez, Frye, Carter, and Nash. We are just a half game away from Golden State. Our last win we played defense and out rebounded our opponents. Then we roll into Denver and play Matador defense and almost gave up 140 points! We need to build the team to beat the Lakers. We need some more bigs, and must become more defense oriented. We are a small team, that doesn't play defense. It's obvious the direction we need to go in.

Gee. Ya think? The problem is that it hasn't been obvious to the people making the decisions.

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[sunsfan88]

I'm still amazed that Gentry starts Lopez over Gortat. I wish some dum*** reporter would ask him it!

Is Lopez Gentry's step son? Do we have a Delonte West incident here?

 

[Yuma]

Gee. Ya think? The problem is that it hasn't been obvious to the people making the decisions.

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WTF is up with that mojo? Sometimes I wonder why people in the front offices of sports teams seem to never see what is obvious to the fans. It's like when politicians go to Washington DC and suddenly they forget how normal people live.

 

[Yuma]

Gortat and Lopez can't play together. Neither can score outside of 10ft, and our offense is already sputtering. I really wish people would stop suggesting it. Frye is actually a pretty decent defender. Last night's lineup was really close to our best defensive one. It would be Nash-MP-Hill-Frye-Gortat as starters, with Dudley as first sub, but since Hill is hurt you can slide Josh in there. Nash-MP-Childress-Frye-Gortat, Dudley first sub.

I understand the offensive side being hurt by the two bigs in at a time, but we are getting killed on the boards and Frye seems to not want to board at all. Josh has showed me nothing. He needs to be a second teamer for hustle purposes only. He can't get his own shot, and has a horrible jumper when he has to shoot. We WAY overpaid for his services. It's pretty damned bad when the top three guys on your team are way over 30 years old. Just think if Nash, Carter, and Hill all went down at the same time. Poor Dragic would have to play 48 minutes and pass to guys who can't hit any shots! All teams would have to do is pressure Dragic and stick to Dudley and we would be sunk! LOL!

 

[mojorizen7]

WTF is up with that mojo? Sometimes I wonder why people in the front offices of sports teams seem to never see what is obvious to the fans. It's like when politicians go to Washington DC and suddenly they forget how normal people live.

Maybe they should go to a system that lets the fanbase vote on ownership,GM's,coaching staff, system etc....