Since the Bobcats parted ways with Mike Dunlap on Tuesday, we've heard multiple reports suggest that Charlotte's coaching opening actually has appeal, given the team's cap situation and its collection of young players. One potential candidate who feels that way is former Suns coach Alvin Gentry, who tells Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that he'd like to be considered for the job.
"It reminds me a little bit of the teams I had in L.A. (with the Clippers): Young players, very energetic guys," Gentry said. "Kemba [Walker] and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have a lot of potential and [Gerald] Henderson has started to really establish himself as a pro…. I’ve seen a lot of their games. Yes, they’ve struggled at times, but that’s a situation where you could make a big change in a year or so. I know that player development is really important to that job."
ESPN.com's Marc Stein tweeted on Wednesday that Gentry's resume, presence, and local ties made him a logical candidate for the Bobcats. As Bonnell notes, Gentry was born and raised in Shelby, North Carolina, and played college ball for Appalachian State University.
Gentry has coached four teams in parts of 12 NBA seasons, including stints with the Heat, Pistons, Clippers, and Suns. His most successful season came in 2009/10, when he helped lead the Suns to the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the eventual NBA champions, the Lakers. For his career, Gentry has a 335-370 (.475) record as a head coach.