Login

Register | Forgot Your Password? | Close
AP: bce5ea5f-a61c-48a1-954c-54ed17703d99
Phoenix Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby announces the departure of head coach Alvin Gentry at US Airways Arena, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, in Phoenix. An interim coach has not been named but the Suns organization say one will be named in the next 24-48 hours. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
That the Phoenix Suns and Alvin Gentry decided to part ways Friday is not exactly a surprise.

The Suns, with a record of 13-28, had the worst record in the NBA's Western Conference. They've lost 13 of 15 games, and have shown little sign of being ready to turn the corner.

Yet, when asked who the team would hand the reins over to, Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby did not have an answer.

"We will definitely have an interim coach, just as sort of proof positive that none of this was planned, it just kind of came about in the last 24 hours, we're going to spend a little bit of time talking to some of our internal candidates," Babby said when discussing the team's decision with the media Friday. "It will be an internal candidate who will be our interim coach, and I hope that we'll have that resolved in the next 24, 36, 48 hours."

The Suns do not play again until they take the court Wednesday in Sacramento, so it is not as if the team needs to have a new boss in place immediately.

Earlier Friday, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that assistant coach Elston Turner and assistant head coach for player development Lindsey Hunter were candidates.

But apparently that decision will not be made for a little while, as for now the Suns are focused on finding the right guy to lead them for the next 41 games.

And only the next 41 games.

"It will be an interim coach," Babby reiterated.

Adam Green, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

9 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
  • Add A Comment 
  • Abuse
    Patrick Peterson's Talent wrote...
    ???
    Then why fire him? It's not like it matters this year. Annoyed.
  • Abuse
    akubra wrote...
    Who cares?
    I wouldn't waste the $$ on parking to see a Sun's game!
  • Abuse
    JW L. wrote...
    And the ride to the bottom
    ...continues! Gee Sarver really knows how to run a sports franchise, doesn't he? As soon as the lease on the coliseum is up, I expect they will be called the San Diego Suns.
  • Abuse
    irule wrote...
    Maybe
    Sarver or Babby can coach the team. I am glad I do not support this team.
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    I'm glad
    Give the job to Dan Majerle
    Dale
  • Abuse
    Sillysoft wrote...
    Ownership sucks
    They really do, now you see the wrath from the fans with this crappy product on the floor. So many empty seats and they just admitted they have no plans going forward. But it makes sense because it shows they had no plans when they assembled this horrible roster. Just hire Thunder Dan and lets get on with this horrible season. At least they have draft picks, but doubt they know how to use them.
  • Abuse
    sunsfan3000 wrote...
    Hire Thunder Dan
    I don't know why this guy isn't in the mix for interim HC. Dan played in the finals for the suns in 93! he knows how to win and probably knows how to build a winning team if we keep him to be THE HC of the Suns.
  • Abuse
    dennis schumer wrote...
    Thunder Dan
    Where they need Thunder Dan is on the wing shooting! The Suns winning percentage and field goal percentage both start with a 3 and neither cuts it in the NBA.
  • Abuse
    MagicMann wrote...
    What???
    You mean this incredible leadership did not have a plan in place? They acted without thinking what the ramifications were for the next week, much less the rest of the season? Must have been an aberation.
Standings
Schedule
Team Leaders
close

Share: