Eric Sorenson
Alvin Gentry has always been a respectful, think first, speak second individual.
Since being let go as head coach of the Suns back on January 18 Gentry has taken the high road choosing to stay out of the spotlight by simply not biting the hand (organization) that fed him for the past eight years.
Little changed for the better when then Suns parted ways with Gentry, along with assistants Dan Majerle and Elston Turner. Phoenix was 13-28 under Gentry and 12-29 under interim head coach Lindsay Hunter this season.
The first off-season bomb dropped Monday afternoon when it was announced Lance Blanks won’t return as General Manager. He was hired in August of 2010 after stints with the Cavaliers and Spurs.
So was Gentry surprised when he heard the news?
“Yea, I was,” Gentry told Brad Cesmat Tuesday on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ “I’m not down there so I’m not really sure what’s going on. I think they felt like they were in a situation where something had to be done…I still think there’s a lot of work to be done there.”
Most notably deciding if Hunter is the right person moving forward.
As for Gentry, he’s focused on his next basketball chapter.
“I want to coach,” he told Cesmat. “I’ve been a coach…and there’s opportunities out there that I want to explore and I’ll see where that takes me. I love [Phoenix]. I will continue to live here, regardless.”
He said it’s not just a coincidence the teams who commit to their head coach through good times and bad are the ones with consistent success. Gentry mentioned Miami, Boston, San Antonio and Oklahoma City as four franchises who have had stability from the front office to the coaching staff.
Steadfast in his appreciation Gentry continues to hold no ill-will towards the Suns organization.
“I’ve had eight- and a-half really good years here,” he explained to Cesmat. “I’ll always pull for the Suns…because I love this organization and I think they have a lot of quality people. I’m indebted to Robert [Sarver] forever and I’d like to see this team do well.”
