How far along into the season will it be before you give up on Gentry?

I’m going to give him until Zion gets back (he deserves that much), but I don’t know how long we can be mediocre with a mediocre coach.

How long til he kills the goodwill that the fans have for the team?

He’s got a free run this year in my opinion and what I think Griffin would do. If the roster gets even better next year I’d bet he wouldn’t last the halfway point if they under achieved.

I’m watching Monty Williams coach a team with a large turnover and he’s gotten them to play inspired defense. Gentry has been here years and it’s been a struggle. I don’t see this team getting any better than “competent” on defense.

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Originally Posted by Snarly

I’m watching Monty Williams coach a team with a large turnover and he’s gotten them to play inspired defense. Gentry has been here years and it’s been a struggle. I don’t see this team getting any better than “competent” on defense.

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Gentry is not a good defensive coach. That's pretty simple.

We have Bzdelik, and he's been historically pretty good, but I wouldn't be surprised if it still took a little while.

My issue is far less about Gentry and far more about needing more players to step up. Including our leader Jrue. Especially our leader Jrue. Foremost our leader Jrue. The "best" player on the team cannot shoot like 18% from the field. I don't care how good his defense is. He sets the tone offensively and he has failed us.

I don’t think the losses can ever be fully blamed on Gentry while key players are not making the shots they’re suppose to make. The first game could be blamed on Gentry for putting the ball in Jrue hands to win it before OT after he played horrible all game against Toronto. But the team wouldn’t have been in a position of going to OT if Jrue would’ve hit his shots before then. This game against Dallas there wasn’t issue with Gentry’s rotation for the most part. Ball played in the 4th, the right players were in. They’re not hitting anything. At least he makes adjustments for the next game when there’s errors in the previous game. The players have to at least be more effective shooters for their coach so Gentry won’t be the lone scapegoat

This is an overreaction this early in the season, especially with such a young team that is still essentially brand new.

Gentry did a good job of keeping Hart in instead of Reddick at the end, after Reddick had a couple horrendous turnovers and missed defensive assignments. I would also agree with the poster above that stated Jrue needs to me much more aggressive, and make sure he gets the ball in his hands more. He looked very passive out there. Favors and Jrue had some amazing chemistry in the first quarter.

I don’t really see any issue with Gentry’s scheme where players missed shots could be blamed on being out of position by Gentry or taking forced shots because of Gentry’s instructions. They’re on the floor how they should be, shooting from where they normally would be. Jrue, NAW, and Ball are getting open looks, some of the shots coming near the basket but the way they’re chucking the ball up looks horrible like they’re playing nervously or scared. NAW was hitting those same shots he’s attempting now in preseason. We’ll learn in a few more games if the difference is mental or if its the level of competition

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

My issue is far less about Gentry and far more about needing more players to step up. Including our leader Jrue. Especially our leader Jrue. Foremost our leader Jrue. The "best" player on the team cannot shoot like 18% from the field. I don't care how good his defense is. He sets the tone offensively and he has failed us.

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Yeah, and he wears dumb shoes too.

Monty almost won his second game tonight. PHX looks like a much better coached team.

My huge issue is Gentry seems more concerned with tinkering with the lineup than trying to win with it.

Do you miss Monty Williams?

This already? This board is so ridiculous after losses and it will never change.

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Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Do you miss Monty Williams?

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No.

The fact is that we lost two games right at the start of the season. Both games were close despite being losses, and there are easy ways to imagine us winning them: in fact, if we had just made a handful more shots in each, we would have won despite the leaky defense, the inconsistent offense, and the janky lineups.

I said back before the season started that I was going to judge the new plays too much until around Christmas, to give them 20 or 25 games under their belts and some time to adjust. I'm doing the same thing with Gentry. Frankly, he's never had a roster with this much legit depth on it, and while it's true that he's being a bit silly with it, I can't really find it in myself to blame him too much anyway. He's trying to experiment. Is it working? Well, a little. But my judgement will be withheld until he's actually had a legit chance to figure the rotation out.

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Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Do you miss Monty Williams?

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Gentry is a good guy, however between Gentry and Minty, pull a fan from the crowd every night, make it a raffle.

The problem isn’t Gentry. It’s fan expectations. We have the talent to make the playoffs.

BUT we lack experience. Our team is all young and spunky. But the NBA game is a different animal. NAW clearly has what it takes to play on this level, but he’s never played against defenders like Porzingis. He’s having trouble finishing against length. Once he realizes you have to set up and take totally different angles and timing to score on players like that, he’ll make it look easy.

And that’s just one guy. So much ball is left. And we have to fire the HC because...why? Gentry is getting in the way of us being a contender? Hell. Let the year play out. We make the playoffs, some post season experience will be good for our youngin’s. We miss and oh well. Yet another well scouting draft pick to add to our growing arsenal.

Assuming we done make some blockbuster deal which doesn’t seem likely this season.

Lower your damn sights, people, and enjoy the ride. With our depth and pace, every game will be fun. Focus on the journey for now. The destination is light years away for now. We aren’t even going at warp speed yet.

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Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25

This already? This board is so ridiculous after losses and it will never change.

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This is tame. Go look at what is trending on the tigerdroppings forum

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

The problem isn’t Gentry. It’s fan expectations. We have the talent to make the playoffs.

BUT we lack experience. Our team is all young and spunky. But the NBA game is a different animal. NAW clearly has what it takes to play on this level, but he’s never played against defenders like Porzingis. He’s having trouble finishing against length. Once he realizes you have to set up and take totally different angles and timing to score on players like that, he’ll make it look easy.

And that’s just one guy. So much ball is left. And we have to fire the HC because...why? Gentry is getting in the way of us being a contender? Hell. Let the year play out. We make the playoffs, some post season experience will be good for our youngin’s. We miss and oh well. Yet another well scouting draft pick to add to our growing arsenal.

Assuming we done make some blockbuster deal which doesn’t seem likely this season.

Lower your damn sights, people, and enjoy the ride. With our depth and pace, every game will be fun. Focus on the journey for now. The destination is light years away for now. We aren’t even going at warp speed yet.

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This is pretty much exactly my thoughts. People are getting carried away with playoff expectations and forgetting that we are a young, newly constructed team. This isn't going to be an overnight build and there will be growing pains. And it says quite a lot that even without Zion, this young team was still in games in the final minute for all 3 games to start the season. Playoffs are not the end-all-be-all measure of a successful season for Gentry this year. Playoffs are a nice cherry on top if we gel faster than expected.

If the question is: Is Gentry at fault for the 0-3 start? A little. It’s not 100 percent his fault, but he had a horror show in several moments of the first two games.

If the question is: Is Gentry a good coach? Absolutely not. I keep hearing posters scream his tactical prowess into existence, yet there is nothing in his coaching career to suggest he has ever been a good coach. I actually want the guy to succeed because he is one of the most likeable guys you could ask for. But history very well may repeat itself for Gentry. It isn’t a fluke that we are 0-3 when we should at least be 2-1.

the 3 games we lost,, we lost them in the 4th with about 5mins left to play.....in that time frame thats when your star player is to take the game over and lead you to a win and jrue didnt do that in the first 2 games.....now AD is not an alpha but if AD was on this team as our star player,,i believe we win the first 2 games ......

gentry get to ride this season out and if our defense come together soon, i still believe we can make the 8th seed...

What has Gentry done wrong now?? C'mon bruh...

To compare him to Monty's situation is so different. Gentry has 14 guys who can all play. It's easy for Monty to pick a 9 man rotation off that Phoenix roster. Give it time.

Its too early for this. The real determination will be one or two years down the road. While the organization obviously wants to compete right now this is also a time for development of our young guys. Not unlike the role that Monty served when we drafted AD. You bring in a good developmental coach that can teach these young guys the right way to play. Then you need to determine if the coach is holding the players back. At this point I trust Griff. He has seemingly made all of the right moves so far and if he feels like Gentry is the right guy for what we are attempting to accomplish I am fine with it.

This is marathon, not a sprint.

Readjust your goals for this season. Look for team and individual player growth over time. The playoffs will be icing on the cake if we get there.

Judging Gentry based on three games with an almost completely new team is shortsighted at best. That's like investing in the stock market and freaking out about day to day fluctuations. Don't do it.

Attachment 6494

Gentry got a pass for going 0-7 and 0-8 on here.

I been saying for a hot minute forcing a scheme no matter how well it works or give you open looks. If it doesn't play to the strength of your personnel. It's a dud.

On top of that, it takes Gentry to long Adjust his scheme to work.

Gentry needs Steve Nash in order for him to pass as a competent coach.

Gentry is infamous for starting seasons slow, going on a run against teams that have taken their foot off the gas to survive an 82 game season then struggling to break 500 and often falling far below 500. He is not a good coach. You can scream it into existence all you want. If we are even forced to play half court ball, we implode.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

My huge issue is Gentry seems more concerned with tinkering with the lineup than trying to win with it.

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I'm pretty sure that is the Pelicans organization entire objective this season. Winning would be nice and would sell more tickets but they are tinkering with everything to try and figure out who fits long term.

That's why I'm not really upset with Gentry. This team is so new with so much raw talent that it's going to take time to just figure players out. However, I have a big issue with veteran players who are supposed to be the backbone of this team grossly under performing. Jrue for sure and even JJ to an extent. Favors has been battling injury so it's hard to say with him.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

I'm pretty sure that is the Pelicans organization entire objective this season. Winning would be nice and would sell more tickets but they are tinkering with everything to try and figure out who fits long term.

That's why I'm not really upset with Gentry. This team is so new with so much raw talent that it's going to take time to just figure players out. However, I have a big issue with veteran players who are supposed to be the backbone of this team grossly under performing. Jrue for sure and even JJ to an extent. Favors has been battling injury so it's hard to say with him.

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I agree with trying to tinker with the roster, but I would have switched coaches to one who is good at player development. Like you said, this is a young team, and we need to develop these guys, so why stick them with a coach who has never developed a player (and don’t say AD because AD was a generational talent).

If the goal is to “compete” that’s fine, I just hope the organization isn’t upset when ticket sales dip a bit. People want a winner.

Seriously. Haven't had a game without a highly entertaining element yet. If we're in for 78 more games like this, then sign me up.

Also, I fully expect Redick to find his stroke. He's worked too long and too hard to suddenly forget how to splash from deep.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

I'm pretty sure that is the Pelicans organization entire objective this season. Winning would be nice and would sell more tickets but they are tinkering with everything to try and figure out who fits long term.

That's why I'm not really upset with Gentry. This team is so new with so much raw talent that it's going to take time to just figure players out. However, I have a big issue with veteran players who are supposed to be the backbone of this team grossly under performing. Jrue for sure and even JJ to an extent. Favors has been battling injury so it's hard to say with him.

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You dont need to tinker with anything to see who fits long term. Its pretty damn obvious what you have on this team.

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Originally Posted by UNO Gracias

I agree with trying to tinker with the roster, but I would have switched coaches to one who is good at player development. Like you said, this is a young team, and we need to develop these guys, so why stick them with a coach who has never developed a player (and don’t say AD because AD was a generational talent).

If the goal is to “compete” that’s fine, I just hope the organization isn’t upset when ticket sales dip a bit. People want a winner.

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I agree. I would have rather brought in a new coach for this all new team. Gentry apparently is in the good graces with the organization though so he gets another year.

I still don't blame him for this but I thought the team needed a fresh start.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

You dont need to tinker with anything to see who fits long term. Its pretty damn obvious what you have on this team.

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Oh I disagree pretty strongly with this. Some things are obvious, like Gentry very quickly benched Moore which we were all saying should happen, but figuring out the guard rotation when completely healthy I think is still up in the air. Heck, I don't think Lonzo should even be a starter next to Jrue with Zion and Favors. The bigs minutes too need to be figured out. How much can Hayes develop and get minutes. Should we resign Favors? Is Hayes ready? Can Zion play next to Favors?

To me there's a lot left to do to figure out exactly who alla fits this season and next.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

Oh I disagree pretty strongly with this. Some things are obvious, like Gentry very quickly benched Moore which we were all saying should happen, but figuring out the guard rotation when completely healthy I think is still up in the air. Heck, I don't think Lonzo should even be a starter next to Jrue with Zion and Favors. The bigs minutes too need to be figured out. How much can Hayes develop and get minutes. Should we resign Favors? Is Hayes ready? Can Zion play next to Favors?

To me there's a lot left to do to figure out exactly who alla fits this season and next.

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Lonzo will be starting as long as he's here. They are not going to throw NAW out there like that.

You know what Favors gives you and you know Hayes is the future. Even if you resign him, all you offer is a short 2 year deal at best. There's not a whole lot to figure out there.

Hart is your next wing off the bench. Then NAW and Frank. With NAW getting the shorter minutes.

Hayes is not ready. There is no need to throw him out there often. He can get spot minutes like he did tonight. Big dumb *** Draymond already almost caved his chest in.

I mean really. For someone who has been around this game for so long like Gentry, none of this should be hard to figure out.

I simply don't think those answers are as clear cut as you're saying. You're making a lot of assumptions which might be correct but I don't think the organization wants to operate that way 4 games into the season.

As more games are played, it’s obvious Gentry doesn’t care about defense. If this team can’t defend because the coach doesn’t prioritize containing the opponent’s scoring, then we won’t win any games. We really do need to find a new coach asap if we continue to go out there to just outshoot and not play defense

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Originally Posted by SonOfNOLA

As more games are played, it’s obvious Gentry doesn’t care about defense. If this team can’t defend because the coach doesn’t prioritize containing the opponent’s scoring, then we won’t win any games. We really do need to find a new coach asap if we continue to go out there to just outshoot and not play defense

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I mean, Gentry is an offensive coach. He has nothing to do with defense. That's the entire reason we brought in a veteran defensive coach. It's no different than SP and the Saints. The offense is his baby and the defensive coordinator handles the defense.

Seems like the players already have tuned him out.

I want to see the full roster out there before we dismiss Gentry. Get Zion and Jrue back. Let the team get adjusted. If we stay healthy when they return I believe this Gentry isn’t a good coach conversation will end real quick.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

I mean, Gentry is an offensive coach. He has nothing to do with defense. That's the entire reason we brought in a veteran defensive coach. It's no different than SP and the Saints. The offense is his baby and the defensive coordinator handles the defense.

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Then, Gentry needs to step aside and be an offensive coordinator if he truly doesn't care about defense or game management. He is a head coach. He is supposed to care. Can't just hire a coach to bandaid his apathy for it. Kerr was able to run his offense and play elite defense. Those 2014-2016 Warriors where amazing on defense. We got one of the best defensive coaches in the league, but if we spend all of our time focusing on the offense and trying to score & run instead of anchoring down on defense. How is it not on Gentry?

I'm cool with Gentry, but I don't like this narrative of him being absolve of blame of the defense. His offense isn't complementing the defense. IF he could pace his game better. Those last minute leads would be victories instead of giving opportunities back to opposing teams to steal games. Which has been an issues with Gentry since he got down here. He is good for a comeback win for about every 5 blown leads.

Whatever is being taught on defense isn't registering yet. And when half court defense is solid, rebounding and transition defense fails. They are watching the ball instead of finding someone to block out while the ball is in the air.

Just little things like that aren't registering. And finding the best shot instead of forcing 40 threes consistently would also help.

Might as well start Jaxson and tell BI to go for 30 ppg at this point. We have nothing to lose and Gentry will be given a pass.

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Originally Posted by Taker597

Then, Gentry needs to step aside and be an offensive coordinator if he truly doesn't care about defense or game management. He is a head coach. He is supposed to care. Can't just hire a coach to bandaid his apathy for it. Kerr was able to run his offense and play elite defense. Those 2014-2016 Warriors where amazing on defense. We got one of the best defensive coaches in the league, but if we spend all of our time focusing on the offense and trying to score & run instead of anchoring down on defense. How is it not on Gentry?

I'm cool with Gentry, but I don't like this narrative of him being absolve of blame of the defense. His offense isn't complementing the defense. IF he could pace his game better. Those last minute leads would be victories instead of giving opportunities back to opposing teams to steal games. Which has been an issues with Gentry since he got down here. He is good for a comeback win for about every 5 blown leads.

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Firing Gentry won't change our defense because it's not his defensive scheme. Should we have fired SP for those 7-9 years when we had a garbage defense?

The Pelicans weren't satisfied with their defense and so they brought in an established veteran defensive coordinator to run it this offseason. He's a guy with a proven track record. I simply don't see the correlation between Gentry and the defense 4 games into the season.

You literally HAVE to give time for the new system to be installed and learned. Also where is this idea that we spend all our time focused on offense coming from? Of course they are giving equal time to the defense. How do you even practice basketball with 5v5 without working on defense?

Gentry cares enough about defense to know that he should trust the guy which you say is "one of the best defensive coaches in the league". A head coach's job isn't to try and instill his philosophy exactly to the t. Otherwise what's the point of even having other coaches? Head coaches manage the team and know when to trust their assistants. Unless you are saying our defensive coach was a bad hire and he should be fired 4 games into the season and it's Gentry's fault for wanting him in the first place or not getting rid FO him now, then I simply don't see how this is fixed by firing Gentry or how it's his fault.

I would expect that defense would be the last thing to come for a team that is both very young and also new to each other. Let's see how they are doing defensively after they have had a little time together.

To be fair....

There was a massive amount of anti-gentry sentiment on this forum even 3 years ago. Towards the end of last season, practically everyone was begging for a different coach. Truth be told I think the only reason people gave him another shot around here is because during our amazing off-season Griff came out saying he would be our head coach going into the future.

So to those telling people to lay off and give him a chance, he has had plenty. 5 years at .500 or plus (one of those being exactly .500) in a 15 year career is pretty ordinary. He has already had highly acclaimed assistants since being here too, and still it's the same issues year in year our. Poor game management, highly questionable substitutions or lack of, no defense and bad rebounding

How would feel about moving Gentry to office position and put someone like Trajan Langdon as HC. Someone players could relate too?

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

I would expect that defense would be the last thing to come for a team that is both very young and also new to each other. Let's see how they are doing defensively after they have had a little time together.

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Totally agree. Especially being in the west. It’s hard to defend the star players in the west.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by carpo

To be fair....

There was a massive amount of anti-gentry sentiment on this forum even 3 years ago. Towards the end of last season, practically everyone was begging for a different coach. Truth be told I think the only reason people gave him another shot around here is because during our amazing off-season Griff came out saying he would be our head coach going into the future.

So to those telling people to lay off and give him a chance, he has had plenty. 5 years at .500 or plus (one of those being exactly .500) in a 15 year career is pretty ordinary. He has already had highly acclaimed assistants since being here too, and still it's the same issues year in year our. Poor game management, highly questionable substitutions or lack of, no defense and bad rebounding

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Sure. I was all for replacing him this summer. I just see zero value in replacing him 4 games into the season. It just creates chaos within the team. Make it through this season while developing players then address Gentry in the off season.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

Sure. I was all for replacing him this summer. I just see zero value in replacing him 4 games into the season. It just creates chaos within the team. Make it through this season while developing players then address Gentry in the off season.

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Thank you. This is the most logical assessment right now, especially because there has been no indication that the locker room is even remotely unhappy with Gentry as the coach.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

Sure. I was all for replacing him this summer. I just see zero value in replacing him 4 games into the season. It just creates chaos within the team. Make it through this season while developing players then address Gentry in the off season.

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Agreed. Gentry is at the very least a guy that will let them play and will make it a positive experience for all of the youngsters. Sometimes players learn a little about themselves by having some freedom and less of the pressure. We do need to start building some success though, so imo Gentry needs the boot in the off-season.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

Agreed. Gentry is at the very least a guy that will let them play and will make it a positive experience for all of the youngsters. Sometimes players learn a little about themselves by having some freedom and less of the pressure. We do need to start building some success though, so imo Gentry needs the boot in the off-season.

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Consider this a 3rd endorsement for Mythrol's comment :hihi:

I was all in favour of firing Gentry back when Demps got ousted, but a lot of people at the time argued that we should keep him just to maintain some degree of continuity through this year. I disagreed, but at the same time, I could see that argument: not stirring the pot too much in a single Summer.

If you were going to fire him, then was the time. If you've left it this long (which we have) it's too late. Just leave it for this year and if he doesn't show the requisite improvements as the roster gets healthier, then get ready to cut him loose next summer.