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Jared Dudley said that he and his teammates were taken aback by the organization's decision to part ways with Alvin Gentry (AP File Photo).
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J.D. talks to Doug & Wolf about how he and other players handled the firing of Alvin Gentry, the hiring of Lindsey Hunter and how to approach the rest of the season.

After coming to the Phoenix Suns in December 2008, Jared Dudley saw his career take off under the direction of former head coach Alvin Gentry.

But while the organization's decision to part ways with Gentry Friday hit the fifth-year veteran hard, Dudley admits that he hasn't been very vocal regarding the ongoing coaching drama.

Be it about Gentry, interim head coach Lindsey Hunter, or any other option for that matter.

"In this business, you kind of don't ask a lot of questions," Dudley told Arizona Sports 620's Doug & Wolf Tuesday. "I get paid to play, so whoever is the coach, if Robert Sarver is the coach, I would go out there like business is usual."

While business has been anything but usual for the Suns (13-28) in the aftermath of last Thursday's 98-94 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Dudley said the onus remains on the team to play through the recent departures of Gentry and assistant coach Dan Majerle.

"It's unfortunate the way we've played and the year we've had so far," said Dudley. "Hopefully, we can salvage it and end on a good note these last 41 games."

Although Dudley took the high road when discussing the team's recent shakeup, he did touch on his teammates' collective reaction over the past few days.

"I think everyone was shocked," said Dudley. "I mean you have to call it what is, your head coach gets fired, a couple of assistants leave and they bring a player development coach as a head coach. Everyone was kind of taken aback."

While the players have had plenty of time to digest the changes and familiarize themselves with interim head coach Lindsey Hunter, the question remains as to whether or not the first-time coach has the respect of his team.

Dudley doesn't think that will be an issue when the Suns open up the second half of their season Wednesday night in Sacramento.

"Lindsey has the respect of the players, because he played in the NBA for 17 seasons," said Dudley. "That right there demands respect. Hey, that's Grant Hill, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby and Jason Kidd status. That's very impressive."

Impressive or not, Hunter will certainly have his hands full. With seven new face on the roster, the Suns have certainly struggled to find an identity through 41 games and sit in last place in the Western Conference.

Dave Dulberg, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

4 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    Sillysoft wrote...
    Wait, what?
    I thought the FO said all the players backed the hiring of Hunter? Sounds like that was not the case, FO lying as usual. Sarver please fire this FO, they have no clue what they are doing, in fact fire yourself afterwards as you dont have a clue either. Seriously, I hope fans stop going until you make better changes. Right now no one, not even your FO, has a clue what path this team is taking.
  • Abuse
    SurpriseMe wrote...
    new clippers
    suns are the new Clippers.
  • Abuse
    SafteyE wrote...
    Sarver is the real problem here.
    Unfortunately it's much easier to blame the FO, and easier still to blame the coach. I remember several people on this site buying the "we've got to get worse before we get better" BS from last year. This franchise is in absolute shambles and has no direction whatsoever. The vast majority of the personnel decisions made since Sarver became the owner have been mistakes, and the ones that did work out, were due to Steve Kerr. But when Sarver's ego led him to push Kerr out, the bottom began to drop out of this franchise. And today they are the circling the drain and the joke of the league.
  • Abuse
    SCSSAL wrote...
    ITS EMBARASING
    The way this FO has conducted business this year, I would personally love to hear Babby grade how this FO has done this year then Babby can take himself n Blanks and shove those 5 P's where the SUNS dont shine!
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