Gentry looking good to return as Suns coach

by Seth Pollack on Apr 1, 2009 1:34 PM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

After Suns practice today (which I was not able to attend due to my schedule) Suns GM Steve Kerr told the assembled gaggle of blood sucking pirates that he was pleased with the performance of interim head coach Alvin Gentry. "I would expect him to be here next year," said Kerr.

Talking about his own positional stability, Kerr said that he enjoyed his job and what not but gave himself the same "we have to evaluate everything" chances of returning as if he were talking about Amare. Frankly, he could have been more clear cut in his response.

You can read those tea leaves however you choose, but I would not be shocked if this summer Steve Kerr chooses to spend more time with his (TNT) family.

Other Notes

Gentry called Leandro Barbosa a game time decision if he feels good after his pre-game warm up. Barbosa himself sounded frustrated in his knee and not overly confident about playing tonight.

Gentry also talked about the big Rockets line up saying that he won't alter his plans. Yes, they'll give up size on one end of the floor but Coach said "they've got to guard us too". Rockets go 7-6 Yao Ming, 6-9 Luis Scola, 6-8 Shane Battier, 6-7 Ron Artest.

Thanks to our partners at Sports 620 KTAR for the audio and report

Poll

Who would you rather see NOT return to the Suns next season?

Alvin Gentry

6 votes

Steve Kerr

136 votes

The Gorilla

46 votes

188 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

It can't be a real poll

if my mortal enemy Barnes isn’t on it. He is the poster child for stupid decisions.

"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious"

by Diosnomeama on Apr 1, 2009 1:58 PM MST reply actions

I'd take Barnes on the team over Kerr as the GM any day.

by brian13 on Apr 1, 2009 2:49 PM MST up reply actions

I know (I really do) its futile

but still for what its worth, GO HEAT!!! and GO SUNS!!!

Whats up doc?

by RottPhiler on Apr 1, 2009 2:50 PM MST reply actions

At least Kerr

could shoot the three.

"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious"

by Diosnomeama on Apr 1, 2009 2:51 PM MST reply actions

Good to hear

I’ve been impressed with what Gentry’s done to this point, and he’s seemed to learn as he goes along. He’s a good selection to coach the team in my mind.

Queen's Journal Sports Editor.
Personal sports blog at www.sportingmadness.blogspot.com.
Contributing writer at Out of Left Field: www.neatesager.blogspot.com.

by Andrew Bucholtz on Apr 1, 2009 2:52 PM MST reply actions

Who voted for the Gorilla to go?!??!?!?

Whoever did should have their shins broken with a lead pipe.

The Gorilla is the coolest mascot ever and an icon of the organization. He will never leave and must never leave!

"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness

by Turambar on Apr 1, 2009 2:53 PM MST reply actions

Lol

That would be on Phoenix Stan.
He never really gave me much of a choice :D

Whats up doc?

by RottPhiler on Apr 1, 2009 2:54 PM MST up reply actions

Didn't you hear?

They’re replacing the Gorilla with a guy with melanoma. Marketing gold!

"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious"

by Diosnomeama on Apr 1, 2009 2:54 PM MST reply actions

Hahaha......NO!!!!!

If that kinda crap happened a mob of insane Suns fans would descend upon the Suns FO and beat the tar our of them.

"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness

by Turambar on Apr 1, 2009 3:06 PM MST up reply actions

Gentry definitely deserves to be back next year.

by jburning on Apr 1, 2009 3:08 PM MST reply actions

I like Gentry.

But when we don’t play defense next year is everybody going to poop their pants ranting about how we have to keep teams under 100 points to win a championship?

TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"

by antiw0rm on Apr 1, 2009 3:12 PM MST reply actions

i'm pretty sure

Gentry is emphasizing defense. The reason we play the zone, is because Nash and Shaq are so turrible at D.

by Funky Flapsack on Apr 1, 2009 5:25 PM MST up reply actions

WTF?

I want to know which 7 of you voted The Gorilla off the island!

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Apr 1, 2009 4:09 PM MST reply actions

+1

It’s got to be Spurs or Lakers fans lurking here. Why would you even put him on the poll! =(

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on Apr 1, 2009 4:21 PM MST up reply actions

Guilty as charged

by Worthy J. on Apr 2, 2009 12:23 AM MST up reply actions

I knew it!

lol

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on Apr 2, 2009 7:26 AM MST up reply actions

This is kind of getting ahead of things,

but at the end of the season we should have a similar poll with Nash, Shaq, and JRich.. to determine what would be the most popular way to cut costs.

by brian13 on Apr 1, 2009 4:23 PM MST reply actions

and no Gorilla this time.

by brian13 on Apr 1, 2009 4:23 PM MST up reply actions

I want them all back. I want them to try and fix their mess

… while I throw rotten tomatoes at their feet =)

C'mon Suns - one more time...

by ZonaFlash on Apr 2, 2009 2:08 AM MST reply actions

Where are Barnes and Amare?

And Shaq and Nash? All are big move-able pieces? The Gorilla Mascot and Gentry haven’t done anything wrong, but I don’t think Kerr has had much of a run to be given a fair assessment. He didn’t break up a “winning team”. He reconstructed a team that was NOT going to win the Championship, and he failed at that. Just think about it. If the Suns hadn’t traded for Shaq, and subsequently lost to the Spurs as they were going to, we’d still be playing the what-if game all summer/season/whenever. It’s all this hindsight wisdom and romanticising of the past that hascaused a rather unfair anti-Kerr bias. He hasn’t been King Midas, but he hasn’t stunk up the joint royally, yet. I’d say it’s quite unfair to judge him at this point.

by felixthm on Apr 3, 2009 10:41 AM MST reply actions