PHOENIX -- [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] is out as coach of the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], just four months into his first season with the club.
Porter told The Associated Press on Monday morning that Suns general manager [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] broke the news to him at a Sunday night meeting.
"I'm going to wait a few days to gather my thoughts before I say anything," Porter said.
Assistant coach Alvin Gentry will replace Porter, although the Suns have not yet made an announcement concerning their coaching situation.
Porter's dismissal was first reported by The Arizona Republic on its Web site Sunday.
Porter was in the first year of a three-year, $6 million deal to replace Mike D'Antoni, who left after four highly successful seasons to coach the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].
D'Antoni is a coach who lets his players run and shoot, and maybe play defense once in a while. It was Kerr's insistence on emphasizing defense that led, in large part, to D'Antoni's departure.
Porter wanted a defense-oriented team in the tough mold of the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].
It was a bad fit.
Gentry, extremely popular with Suns players, has been a coach in the NBA for 20 years, including interim head coaching stints with Miami and Detroit. He was coach of the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] from 2000 to 2003.
"I think Alvin is a great players' coach," Suns forward/center [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] said after Sunday's All-Star Game in Phoenix. "He gets along with his players well. Of course, he'll have a great game plan from a basketball standpoint. I think it will be somewhat up-tempo."
Asked if the coaching change was needed, Stoudemire said, "Only time can tell."
"I think Terry Porter definitely put a lot of hard work in here to try to get us on the right track," he said, "and I'm pretty sure Alvin's going to do the same."
Phoenix (28-23) lost five of eight going into the All-Star break and trailed Utah by one game for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
Gentry was the only holdover from D'Antoni's staff in Phoenix. His hiring as assistant coach in 2004 coincided with the arrival of [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and the subsequent ultra up-tempo offense that propelled the Suns to 54 wins or more in each of the past four seasons.
The decision to replace Porter came in a series of meetings between owner Robert Sarver and Kerr reviewing the entire basketball operation. The two also are considering trading Stoudemire in a move designed to clear salary-cap space.
It marks the second time Porter has been fired as an NBA coach. He was let go by the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] in 2005 after two seasons.
Porter, who played in the NBA for 17 seasons, was an assistant with the Pistons when he was hired by the Suns, and the intention was for him to bring the Pistons' defense-oriented, slower playing style with him.
That plan was jettisoned after it became apparent the Suns were not suited to the slowdown game.
The promotion of Gentry means the Suns will be even more committed to a fast-paced style.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
My thing is if Kerr wanted a defensive minded coach who could turn around a team's defense why did he not make a play for Avery Johnson?
Avery wouldve had the respect that Porter never had considering how he took a previously coached Don Nelson team -which is much like a Dantoni team- and made them into a better defensive team that made The Finals.
Johnson and Nash have a good relationship and again as a former COY he wouldve had the respect of the whole squad
It was a No Brainer in my book Kerr!
Good luck in finding someone to coach an Amare-less Suns team as well as getting season ticket renewls
the thing that I don't understand is why offer him a 3 year deal if you're even considering getting rid of him by the end of this year? Its a waste in my point of view. And now they get rid of him and put in a coach that used to coach the Clippers?!?! Wow, nowhere to go but up, huh?
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Originally Posted by SLY1984
the thing that I don't understand is why offer him a 3 year deal if you're even considering getting rid of him by the end of this year? Its a waste in my point of view. And now they get rid of him and put in a coach that used to coach the Clippers?!?! Wow, nowhere to go but up, huh?
My thing is if Kerr wanted a defensive minded coach who could turn around a team's defense why did he not make a play for Avery Johnson?
I think Avery Johnson is overrated. He is a good defensive coach but the year they went into the finals they still benefited from the combination of Don Nelson's offense-culture which mixed well with the new defense. However, once this effect was gone, Avery went for a uninspired and ultimately unsuccessful one-on-one offense (Howard and Nowitzki) for which they never had the right players. Phoenix doesn't have a player that is that dominant either.
I think Avery Johnson is overrated. He is a good defensive coach but the year they went into the finals they still benefited from the combination of Don Nelson's offense-culture which mixed well with the new defense. However, once this effect was gone, Avery went for a uninspired and ultimately unsuccessful one-on-one offense (Howard and Nowitzki) for which they never had the right players. Phoenix doesn't have a player that is that dominant either.
You DOnt think STuadmire is dominant? hes definatly dominant if u get him the ball on the move
You DOnt think STuadmire is dominant? hes definatly dominant if u get him the ball on the move
Not dominant enough. Not more dominant than Nowitzki. I am talking Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Michael Jordan dominant here.
Amare isn't a "give me the ball and go the hell out of my way" player. As you said: you have to give him the ball on the move, something that doesn't happen very often in an AJ offense.
Suns Fire Terry Porter
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