As Marc Stein of ESPN.com pointed out on Twitter today after the Suns announced that they've parted ways with Alvin Gentry, the Phoenix coach was one of eight NBA head coaches that entered the 2012/13 season on the final years of their respective contracts. With the help of Stein's Twitter feed, here's a look at how those eight coaches have fared this season:
- Tyrone Corbin (Jazz): Just as the regular season got underway, the Jazz officially exercised their 2013/14 option on Corbin, extending his contract by one year.
- Vinny Del Negro (Clippers): Off to a fantastic 31-9 start to the season with the Clippers, Del Negro is making a strong case for a contract extension, as Sam Amick of USA Today wrote last month.
- Larry Drew (Hawks): While Danny Ferry publicly threw his support behind Drew earlier this season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Hawks' new GM bring in his own guy for the job next season, particularly if Atlanta is one-and-done in the playoffs.
- Alvin Gentry (Suns): The Suns parted ways with Gentry earlier today.
- Lionel Hollins (Grizzlies): Like Drew in Atlanta, Hollins may become the victim of a changing of the guard in Memphis. New ownership and new front-office members are in place, and Hollins' recent criticisms of advanced metrics suggests he may not be on exactly the same page as the new group, which includes former ESPN.com scribe John Hollinger.
- Avery Johnson (Nets): The Nets fired Johnson last month, despite the team's 14-14 record. Although Brooklyn has been thriving under P.J. Carlesimo since the change, it still seemed a little premature at the time — in a Hoops Rumors poll, nearly 80% of respondents said the Nets shouldn't have let go of Johnson.
- Scott Skiles (Bucks): Skiles and the Bucks agreed to part ways earlier this month.
- Frank Vogel (Pacers): The Pacers, who are leading the Central Division despite having been without Danny Granger all season, extended Vogel's contract last Monday.