Gentry never had a good team, only coached rebuilding teams..

[Pantazis76]

I think we are unfair on Gentry.. His never had a good team besides those two years with the suns, both he made the playoffs.
Remember amare was only there for two of the four years he coached phx.
His clippers and detroit team were both rebuilding at the time, and his a perfect example to prove that.
Mike dunleavy the coach of portland in the early 2000's had a .700 record in three seasons, then he accepted the clippers job off gentry, and actually did worse than gentry did.
I think we need to give gentry a chance here, and he could of learnt a lot of defensive and offensive schemes and strategies from his warriors days that he could implement here.
I believe he could be very valuable, and hiring mike malone as a assistant could be the icing on the cake

[N.O.Bronco]

Can you explain to me his last season?

Dragic, Dudley, Gortat, Scola and some decent role players and he was bottom of the league in offense and defense.

Defense more then anything is what bothers me. Our biggest weakness. And he has never really fielded a good one. D'antoni was notoriously criticized for having poor defenses but Gentry never even came close to having a defense ranked as high as Mike's.

I want to love this guy but the question marks are pounding my head into submission.

[N.O.Bronco]

Now if he somehow gets Mike Malone my tune would change big time. Make Mike our lead assistant and I would become a believer. That is primarily because i think Mike is a great coach that got a raw deal in Sac town.

[GuardianAngel25]

Can you explain to me his last season?

Dragic, Dudley, Gortat, Scola and some decent role players and he was bottom of the league in offense and defense.

Defense more then anything is what bothers me. Our biggest weakness. And he has never really fielded a good one. D'antoni was notoriously criticized for having poor defenses but Gentry never even came close to having a defense ranked as high as Mike's.

I want to love this guy but the question marks are pounding my head into submission.

Dragic was nothing like the player he has turned into today. That was basically the first year with significant playing time besides some starts in Houston with decent minutes the previous year where he wasn't very good either. Losing Nash and Stoudemire to be replaced by Dragic and Scola is not a very good scenario. Scola was a decent player then but nothing special. Dudley was a tweener who was more of a specialist player and better served off the bench. Gortat was solid but other than that the team had nothing. Gentry has never really fielded a good defense because he never had players to field a good defense. Their 2 most important players were basically no defense and all offense their whole careers. Nash was definitely not a good defender and neither was Stoudemire. The only season the guy really had good talent to work with they went to the Western Finals. Besides that he has either taken over teams by default while landing on teams with some of the worst rosters in the NBA along with terrible management getting very little help.

[UNO Gracias]

Hmmm... I think this is off. I will give him a pass on the Clippers, but the Suns... People say, "Well he lost Amare!" What did Amare do when he got to New York besides search for his Hebrew roots? Nothing! The Suns moved on because he was damaged goods (I remember this very board arguing if we should trade West for Amare, and the sane people won out). Amare wouldn't have changed Phx. Fate. His last two seasons in Phx were impressively bad because he did have talent to work with, but they didn't win.

[GuardianAngel25]

Hmmm... I think this is off. I will give him a pass on the Clippers, but the Suns... People say, "Well he lost Amare!" What did Amare do when he got to New York besides search for his Hebrew roots? Nothing! The Suns moved on because he was damaged goods (I remember this very board arguing if we should trade West for Amare, and the sane people won out). Amare wouldn't have changed Phx. Fate. His last two seasons in Phx were impressively bad because he did have talent to work with, but they didn't win.

Amare averaged 25 points a game his first year in NY. His last year in PHX when Gentry had a great season he averaged 23 points 9 rebounds shooting 55% from the field. That is a huge loss when at the time he was one of the best pick and pop players in the NBA and a perfect fit with Nash. He got that contract from NY for a reason then he became damaged goods. He definitely was not damaged goods at the time and was a perfect fit with Nash being their 2 star players. Losing him was huge for the success of that team. He also lost Nash in his final season which is a huge blow going from Stoudemire and Nash to an over the hill Scola and a very raw Dragic. He did not have talent go look at those teams. Dragic 1st season starting and was nowhere near the player he is right now. Gortat maybe their best player missed 20 games. Scola was starting to play terrible and was basically done as a starter. PJ Tucker and Morris were in their 2nd seasons in the NBA with their first real playing time and were just ok players and on most teams would not have been playing yet. Dudley was a 3 point specialist with ok D and nothing more. That team was trash his last couple years plain and simple.

Dragic, Scola, Dudley, Tucker, Gortat, Morris, Beasley, and Brown in order of minutes played is a terrible roster with players either being done or guys that are really good or decent now just starting out their careers and the best player and clog in the middle missing significant time.

[UNO Gracias]

Amare had busted his leg prior to leaving Phx, that's why they didn't resign him. I will give you the Nash bit, but he was still playing (albeit on restricted minuets). He had talent to work with. He just didn't have the record that showed he could do anything with it.

[Bee-Fense]

Can you explain to me his last season?

Dragic, Dudley, Gortat, Scola and some decent role players and he was bottom of the league in offense and defense.

Defense more then anything is what bothers me. Our biggest weakness. And he has never really fielded a good one. D'antoni was notoriously criticized for having poor defenses but Gentry never even came close to having a defense ranked as high as Mike's.

I want to love this guy but the question marks are pounding my head into submission.

If Jared Dudley is probably your 2nd best player, you are simply not going to win that many games. Dragic wasn't nearly good enough to be the best player on a good team at that point in his career. You listed all nice players, but none that can carry a team. And as for role players, they had PJ Tucker and the Morris twins, but again, these guys weren't what they are now. The twins were rookies and Tucker was only beginning to show improvement. And then they had Michael Beasley getting significant minutes as well. The team was just bad.

I agree about the defense, but I don't see how this team isn't a future contender At the very least, he's an upgrade over Monty.

[UNO Gracias]

So either Gentry isn't one for developing young talent, or he didn't know how to use the talent he had at his disposal (neither sound like ringing endorsements).

Either way, the following season swap Dudley for Bledsoe add Hornaceck (subtract Gentry) and you go from 25 wins to 48.

[GuardianAngel25]

Amare had busted his leg prior to leaving Phx, that's why they didn't resign him. I will give you the Nash bit, but he was still playing (albeit on restricted minuets). He had talent to work with. He just didn't have the record that showed he could do anything with it.

Nash was struggling with back injuries big time his last couple years also. Amare left and averaged 25 points a game which is ridiculous for a big man. He was a huge lost to PHX and the style they played. They had no one to replace him. He played in 79, 82, 53, and 82 games his last 4 years their. That is very durable. He had knee surgery early in his career before Gentry ever got there. When he played 53 games he missed 8 weeks because injuring his eye having surgery. He was an all star and one of the best big men in the league. Losing him hurt Nash and that team then losing Nash really hurt that team. When Gentry had a good team the 1 time in his career he went to the Western Finals plain and simple.

[UNO Gracias]

And his last year was a bust, in come a new guy, takes that same core and doubled the prior years wins. How does that happen and not look poorly on Gentry?

[GuardianAngel25]

If Jared Dudley is probably your 2nd best player, you are simply not going to win that many games. Dragic wasn't nearly good enough to be the best player on a good team at that point in his career. You listed all nice players, but none that can carry a team. And as for role players, they had PJ Tucker and the Morris twins, but again, these guys weren't what they are now. The twins were rookies and Tucker was only beginning to show improvement. And then they had Michael Beasley getting significant minutes as well. The team was just bad.

I agree about the defense, but I don't see how this team isn't a future contender At the very least, he's an upgrade over Monty.

Yea those teams were straight up terrible. Dragic was nowhere near the guy he is now and was in his first season as starter. Tucker and Morris were both in their 2nd season showing improvement after basically no playing time in their 1st season. Scola was just turning into garbage during his tenure with the Suns while Dudley was a specialist and Gortat missed 20 games. Nash and Stoudemire was as big as us losing West and Paul. Those 2 guys were amazing together and one of the best duos in the NBA and the year Gentry had them with a decent team they were in the WC Finals losing to a stacked Lakers team.

[GuardianAngel25]

And his last year was a bust, in come a new guy, takes that same core and doubled the prior years wins. How does that happen and not look poorly on Gentry?

That was nowhere near the same team the following year. Dragic was a completely different player and that wasn't because he all the sudden had a new coach. It was because he had a full season to start and learn while working his tail off to become better. If anything Gentry developed him not Hornaceck in one training camp. Tucker and Morris both in their 3rd seasons with Tucker developing a good 3 point shot which was terrible before. They added Gerald Green, Frye, Plumlee, Bledsoe, and the other Morris twin. That team was completely different besides 3 guys who were very improved players and like I said that didn't happen in 1 training camp a lot of that happened because of Gentry making them better for the next coach to have them along with new role players for a much improved team. I don't think Gentry has Nash playing at a high level all the sudden to not know how to coach Dragic when he leaves. Those guys simply weren't the same players.

[i am cow lolz]

And his last year was a bust, in come a new guy, takes that same core and doubled the prior years wins. How does that happen and not look poorly on Gentry?

Gerald Green (averaged 16 points), Eric Bledsoe (averaged 18 pts/5 Assists), and Miles Plumlee (8 points/8 rebounds) were all added to the team in the offseason. Not to mention a peak Goran Dragic who had a career year from 3. Safe to say thats not the same core.

[Pantazis76]

Can you explain to me his last season?

Dragic, Dudley, Gortat, Scola and some decent role players and he was bottom of the league in offense and defense.

Defense more then anything is what bothers me. Our biggest weakness. And he has never really fielded a good one. D'antoni was notoriously criticized for having poor defenses but Gentry never even came close to having a defense ranked as high as Mike's.

I want to love this guy but the question marks are pounding my head into submission.

yeh theyre good players, but not all stars.. i mean look at Orlando now, they have solid role players yet theyre still down in the dumps.

What amazes me about gentry is that his team one season shot 49% from the field on average, and 41% from three, thats insanity

Also, monty defense was never good, nor his offense, atleast we have a coach that can specialize !

[UNO Gracias]

Hmm...so he developed them so that the next guy could get the best out of them. Seems legit.

Nobody was clamoring for Green or Plumlee, and the Suns essentially traded out Dudley for Bledsoe. It's not like the Suns brought in all these new amazing pieces for Jeff, and just said "Yeah, Gentry is a jack wagon." Gentry had the pieces in place to make things happen on a larger scale than they faired, it just didn't happen.

[GuardianAngel25]

Amare had busted his leg prior to leaving Phx, that's why they didn't resign him. I will give you the Nash bit, but he was still playing (albeit on restricted minuets). He had talent to work with. He just didn't have the record that showed he could do anything with it.

Amare played 82, 79, 53, and 82 games in his last 4 years with PHX. Like I said the 53 game season was from eye surgery not knee. They saw his knees were starting to wear down from micro surgery in 2006. He averaged 25 points a game the following year in NY. He was not diminishing at all in PHX they let him go because they weren't willing to pay him that much for that long when they suspected he wouldn't make it and they were right. He was a huge huge loss to that team and completely changed that offense.

[GuardianAngel25]

Hmm...so he developed them so that the next guy could get the best out of them. Seems legit.

Nobody was clamoring for Green or Plumlee, and the Suns essentially traded out Dudley for Bledsoe. It's not like the Suns brought in all these new amazing pieces for Jeff, and just said "Yeah, Gentry is a jack wagon." Gentry had the pieces in place to make things happen on a larger scale than they faired, it just didn't happen.

Hornaceck inherited a far better team than what Gentry had their his last season. Yes just like AD was improved by Monty. I don't think one training camp all the sudden Gentry develops him into some different player. Davis will get better regardless but the fit is what Gentry can improve for him. Getting a completely different player in Dragic for Hornaceck while getting Bledsoe who was a stud is a big difference. Having Morris and Tucker improve and be completely different players after their 1st season even playing is a big difference. Dragic, Tucker, and Morris were the only same players on that team and all 3 were coming off their first real seasons playing to be completely different players the following year. Saying Gentry had good players to work with is just false. I don't think he just forgot how to coach his last 2 years it had a lot more to do with losing 2 of their top 3 players with Richarson and Amare departing with the 4th Hill being injured and not the same along with Nash being barely able to run at full speed with 0 help around him.

[GuardianAngel25]

After losing Stoudemire the following year was a roster of Nash, Gortat, Dudley, Frye, Hill, Morris, and Lopez. After losing an all star in Amare and a very good Jason Richardson. They were also in a lockout year with no time to work with the new guys after losing 2 very big pieces. While Grant Hill playing their 4th most minutes being a huge piece to injured most of the following year. How is that not a terrible team and scenario to work with from losing 2 of their top 3 players the following year and their best player fighting back problems all season long.

[Bee-Fense]

So either Gentry isn't one for developing young talent, or he didn't know how to use the talent he had at his disposal (neither sound like ringing endorsements).

Either way, the following season swap Dudley for Bledsoe add Hornaceck (subtract Gentry) and you go from 25 wins to 48.

Considering that Gortat brokeout under Gentry and Dudley hasn't been the same since leaving Phoenix, I don't think it's fair to see he didn't know how to use the talent. Dragic has had one really good year but otherwise he's been a market max type of player - a good 3rd banana. That's not enough to carry a team individually. Also, Dragic actually developed from a 2nd round pick to a very solid player under Gentry. Dragic's rookie year was the year Gentry was hired. In Gentry's first full season as head coach, Dragic was a very valuable player for the Suns, especially in the playoffs.

Dudley for Bledsoe is a big swap and that's also forgetting Miles Plumlee, an older Markieff Morris, and Gerald Green came from nowhere.

If you recall, Phoenix was projected to be one of the bottom 5 teams in the NBA going into that year. No one thought Phoenix was underachieving under Gentry that year.

[MonsterMash]

Can you explain to me his last season?

Dragic, Dudley, Gortat, Scola and some decent role players and he was bottom of the league in offense and defense.

Defense more then anything is what bothers me. Our biggest weakness. And he has never really fielded a good one. D'antoni was notoriously criticized for having poor defenses but Gentry never even came close to having a defense ranked as high as Mike's.

I want to love this guy but the question marks are pounding my head into submission.

Dudley, Scola and Gortat were role players themselves at the time.

[MonsterMash]

And his last year was a bust, in come a new guy, takes that same core and doubled the prior years wins. How does that happen and not look poorly on Gentry?

They replaced Dudley with Bledsoe, who just signed a max extension?

[GuardianAngel25]

Considering that Gortat brokeout under Gentry and Dudley hasn't been the same since leaving Phoenix, I don't think it's fair to see he didn't know how to use the talent. Dragic has had one really good year but otherwise he's been a market max type of player - a good 3rd banana. That's not enough to carry a team individually. Also, Dragic actually developed from a 2nd round pick to a very solid player under Gentry. Dragic's rookie year was the year Gentry was hired. In Gentry's first full season as head coach, Dragic was a very valuable player for the Suns, especially in the playoffs.

Dudley for Bledsoe is a big swap and that's also forgetting Miles Plumlee, an older Markieff Morris, and Gerald Green came from nowhere.

If you recall, Phoenix was projected to be one of the bottom 5 teams in the NBA going into that year. No one thought Phoenix was underachieving under Gentry that year.

Yea they are compelty different teams with only 3 guys being on Hornacecks team from the Gentry team. Those 3 were Dragix, Tucker, and Morris who Gentry got decent years out of and even Dragics most assist in any season he has ever had. They were decent players but just not ready to win yet. He developed them and left the new coach with 3 players who improved drastically in 1 off season to guys you wouldn't have recognized and that had nothing to do with schemes. I think that's a pretty big difference in teams with only 3 guys from the previous years to have new players that were good replacing bad players. Like I said the 3 guys rolled over were players finally with experience and raised their game to a different level like most players do.

[SilkySlim]

I think we are unfair on Gentry..

Do you know what batwings are? Batwings are when on a really hot and miserable day the sides of your nutsack get stuck to your leg because of the heat and moisture. When your legs stretch to the side, it pulls the sticky sides of your sack with them. The batwing effect. Causes you to uncomfortably re-settle your gonads.

That's what this hire reminds me of. I hot, miserable day where I have nothing better to do but pick my nuts.

You fire a coach only to improve. This isnt an improvement.

[UNO Gracias]

While you guys present good arguments, I am still dubious towards this hire on account of what Hornaceck was able to do to PHX the year following Gentry's departure.