A story today by Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net says that Alvin Gentry may be down to his last days as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Amico has talked to several coaches and GMs who think Gentry will soon become the first coach to be fired in the new season.
The Pelicans are off to a disappointing 1-9 start after finishing 30-52 last season. That means Gentry has won about a third of his games after taking over a team that made the playoffs under Monty Williams.
However, the Pelicans have been beset by injuries and other misfortune ever since Gentry became their coach. They have played without Tyreke Evans and Quincy Pondexter this season, as well as Jrue Holiday, who is on a leave of absence tending to his wife during her health crisis. A year ago, star center Anthony Davis was shut down for surgery in March and played just 61 games. In addition, injuries limited Holiday to 65 games and Evans to 25. Eric Gordon, who left in free agency, appeared in just 45.
Gentry has been dealt an unfair hand in New Orleans, but it’s not clear if that will be enough to save his job. Pelicans management was counting on becoming a contender after giving a $145MM extension to Davis last summer, and they made be ready to replace Gentry just to shake things up.
Another snake-bitten coach is off to a slow start in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers have lost eight of their first nine games, but haven’t had overall No. 1 pick Ben Simmons or power forward Nerlens Noel because of injuries. In addition, Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor both started the season on minutes restrictions related to concerns about their health.
Even so, there was a report this week that Brett Brown could be on the hot seat. He was hired by former GM Sam Hinkie, and the new regime may want to make a change to send a message to the team and let the fans know the Sixers are getting serious about trying to win.
That brings us to tonight’s question: Under the circumstances, do Gentry or Brown deserve to be fired? And if they are, who would be the best replacements for the Pelicans or Sixers?
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
No. both have dealt with major injuries, and cannot be judged unless they have an actual team. Dell demps should be fired for not making a proper bench. 76ers are still going through “the process”.
Agree with Demps. Let the new GM asses the situation and decide to clean house.
Hinkie>>>Coangelo
Leave Gentry alone. Give him the year to see what he can do once players start coming back.
Brown is a tougher choice…most GMs want to install their own guy but that poor guy has been through agony. The franchise almost owes him another two years for the trauma they’ve inflicted on him.
His best player is a guy who hasnt played in almost 2 1/2 yrs. I’d give him this season and the next. Because Colangelo came in and all they gave him was Sergio Rodriguez and Gerald Henderson. One of which wasn’t even in the league last year.