Alvin Gentry Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Lakers Rumors: Calipari, Scott, Snyder

May 1st, 2014 at 10:27am CST by Chuck Myron

There’s no immediate favorite for the Lakers head coaching job, vacant following Mike D’Antoni‘s resignation Wednesday evening. The team hasn’t reached out to many potential candidates yet, tweets Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times, and Bill Oram of the Orange County Register paints it as a wide open race (Twitter link). The Lakers aren’t in a hurry to choose D’Antoni’s replacement, unless they feel like they’re about to miss out on someone they really like, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com, who says the draft and free agency are greater priorities for the team. Still, there’s news about a few intriguing candidates, as we detail:

Kevin Ollie, Alvin Gentry, Mike Dunleavy Sr., George Karl, Kurt Rambis, Calipari, Scott, Fisher, and Jeff Van Gundy are on the Lakers’ initial list, Shelburne tweets.

Earlier updates:

Kentucky coach John Calipari took himself out of the running via his own Twitter account (hat tip to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv). “Before it starts, I’m totally committed to helping this group of young men reach their dreams,” Calipari wrote. “I wouldn’t and couldn’t leave this group!”
Byron Scott, in an interview with Time Warner Cable Sports Net, confirmed a report that he’s interested in the job (video link). He’s a favorite of the Buss family, Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding notes.
GM Mitch Kupchak and Kobe Bryant share respect for Hawks assistant Quin Snyder, Ding writes in the same piece.
The Lakers have been fond of Jeff Van Gundy, as Marc Stein of ESPN.com points out (video link).
The job holds “tremendous appeal” to Derek Fisher, a source tells Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The Thunder guard is likely to retire after the season.
Bryant likes Scott, Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy and Ettore Messina, but the Lakers star won’t drive the team’s search, Wojnarowski writes in the same piece.
Messina, the elite European coach who spent 2011/12 as a Lakers assistant, downplayed the idea that he’ll become coach, and he said the Lakers haven’t contacted him, Pincus reports.
Lionel Hollins is among those interested in the job, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link).

Pacific Notes: Bogut, Kobe, Kings, Suns

October 16th, 2013 at 9:55am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran contract extensions are rare in today’s NBA, but as we heard overnight, the Warriors and Andrew Bogut have opened discussions on a new deal for the Golden State big man, and could reach an agreement within the next few weeks. In his latest piece for SBNation.com, Tom Ziller questions why Bogut or the Warriors would feel compelled to get something done so soon.

Bogut suggested in his interview with Scott Howard-Cooper that multiple Western teams have already asked his agent about his free agent plans, which shows that he should draw interest next summer. As for Golden State, it may be in the team’s best interest to wait to get more than 44 games out of its injury-plagued center before committing to him long-term.

As we wait to see how negotiations between Bogut and the Warriors play out, let’s check out a few other items from around the Pacific Division….

Sean Deveney of the Sporting News wonders whether Kobe Bryant will take a pay cut to help the Lakers next summer, breaking down several scenarios for how Kobe’s free agency could play out.
A new Sacramento citizens’ group was formed yesterday to combat the proposed $258MM public subsidy for a new Kings arena, reports Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee. According to Kasler, the new group, Voters for a Fair Arena Deal, has taken pains to separate itself from the original effort launched by Sacramento Taxpayers Opposed to Pork, which received support from Chris Hansen.
The working relationship between Alvin Gentry and the Suns came to an abrupt end back in January, but as Bob Young of the Arizona Republic writes, both parties appear to be better off after parting ways.

Odds & Ends: Fredette, Clippers, Terry, Oden

June 26th, 2013 at 2:35pm CST by Luke Adams

Following the hiring of Doc Rivers, the positive news keeps coming for Clippers fans. Rivers confirmed to the media today that he has spoken to Chris Paul since joining the franchise, which looks like a good sign for CP3's long-term future in Los Angeles (Twitter link via Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com). The Clippers also appear poised to add Alvin Gentry to Rivers' staff, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (via Twitter). Gentry had been deciding between assistant jobs with the Clippers and Lakers.

Here's more from around the NBA:

Despite reports to the contrary, Sam Amick of USA Today is hearing that the Kings haven't had talks about trading Jimmer Fredette. Amick adds that the new management group is willing to listen to anything, but there's no indication Fredette is being shopped or even discussed in trade talks at this point (Twitter links).
Appearing on KRLD-FM 105.3 in Dallas, Jason Terry said he hopes to wear a Mavericks uniform again before he retires. "You know what, I wear it every night anyway," Terry said (link via Dallas Morning News). "It's my home base. I'm with the Celtics for another two years. I would be more than happy to come back and put the Mavs jersey on and come back and get back on the runway for the Mavericks."
The Cavaliers have hired former Bucks head coach Jim Boylan to be the lead assistant on Mike Brown's staff, tweets Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Speaking to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor acknowledged that the Trail Blazers could be a thorn in Minnesota's side as the team attempts to lock up Nikola Pekovic this summer. Re-signing Pekovic remains the club's top priority, as Walters writes.
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck appeared on WEEI in Boston today to address the departure of Rivers and the next steps for the C's, and Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com passed along Grousbeck's comments.
In addition to discussing several of the team's own free agents, Heat president Pat Riley confirmed that Miami has interest in Greg Oden, as Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida outlines (via Sulia).

Odds & Ends: Celtics, Gentry, Cavaliers, Warriors

June 23rd, 2013 at 10:30pm CST by Michael Pina

A few random notes from around the league:

Now that his head coach for the past six years is with the Clippers, there's a growing belief Kevin Garnett will play at least one more season with the Celtics before retiring and joining his former coach, Flip Saunders, in a ceremonial ownership role with the Timberwolves, according to Yahoo! NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.
Also in that same report from Wojnarowski, the Celtics will likely hold onto Paul Pierce instead of waiving him before June 30th, with the hope that a team will offer a first-round pick for his services between now and the trade deadline.
Former Suns head coach Alvin Gentry could join Doc Rivers' staff with the Clippers, according to a tweet from Wojnarowski. Gentry is also still a candidate to become head coach of the Grizzlies or an assistant with the Lakers.
Hoopsworld.com's Jabari Davis lists six free agent possibilities for the Warriors to pursue this offseason.
The Cavaliers aren't enamored with all the first overall pick has to offer, and they've considered trading it since the lottery. Cleveland.com's Mary Schmitt Boyer dives deep into some possibilities the team might have.
If Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is selected before the Bucks make their first round pick (15th overall selection), the team could look to pick Jamaal Franklin, writes JournalTimes.com's Gery Woelfel.

Latest On Grizzlies’ Coaching Search

June 19th, 2013 at 10:05am CST by Luke Adams

Yesterday, we heard from Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports that the Grizzlies are expected to complete their search for a head coach by the end of this week. Whether that means the team will have simply finished conducting interviews or whether Memphis will have made a hire remains to be seen, but the process does appear to be accelerating, with multiple candidates being interviewed for a second time this week. Here's the latest on the hunt to replace Lionel Hollins:

Bulls assistant Ed Pinckney will interview for the second time with the Grizzlies today, according to Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago.com.
Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports (Twitter link) that Grizzlies assistant Dave Joerger will also receive a second interview today, while Alvin Gentry's second meeting with the club is scheduled for tomorrow. Tillery wrote yesterday that Joerger remained the favorite for the opening, but that Gentry was very much in the mix.
One name that may be falling out of the running is former Nuggets coach George Karl. Memphis conducted a formal interview with Karl this week, but sources tell CSNChicago.com that he's behind Joerger, Gentry, and Pinckney in the process.
The Grizzlies will likely mull over their coaching decision through the weekend, according to Tillery.

Coaching Notes: Gentry, Sloan, Jackson

June 18th, 2013 at 7:30pm CST by Michael Pina

A batch of notes regarding the league's never-ending coaching carousel:

Former Suns head coach Alvin Gentry will interview with the Grizzlies for the second time on Thursday for their open head coaching position, tweets Yahoo! NBA reporter Marc J. Spears.
Warriors head coach Mark Jackson is not expecting a contract extension to come this summer, despite the team's immense playoff success in his second year on the job, writes MercuryNews.com's Tim Kawakami. Jackson also said that with the departure of top assistant Mike Malone to become head coach of the Kings, last year's assistants Pete Myers and Darren Erman will simply move up the depth chart, and no hiring will take place to replace Malone.
According to Shams Charania from RealGM.com, Jerry Sloan will continue to consult with the Jazz in an unofficial capacity for the time being. Several of the coaching vacancies that opened up this summer intrigued Sloan, but none were good enough of a fit to bring him out of retirement.

Latest On Grizzlies Coaching Search

June 15th, 2013 at 11:59am CST by Zachary Links

Former Nuggets coach George Karl will meet with Memphis brass tomorrow, followed by Dave Joerger on Tuesday, a source tells Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). They're certainly not the only two people vying for the job, however. The Grizzlies met with former Suns coach Alvin Gentry about their head coaching vacancy yesterday and came away extremely impressed, the source says (link).

The Grizzlies granted Lionel Hollins permission to speak with other teams earlier this month and it wasn't a surprise earlier this week when they officially let him go. Former Hollins assistant Joerger was said to be a frontrunner for the job, but he may have his work cut out for him after Gentry's strong showing and the legendary Karl in the mix.

Grizzlies To Interview Alvin Gentry, George Karl

June 13th, 2013 at 4:07pm CST by Michael Pina

THURSDAY, 4:07pm: The Grizzlies have an interview lined up with Karl for Monday, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that Karl is very interested in coaching the Grizz.

WEDNESDAY, 6:30pm: The Grizzlies are set to interview former Suns head coach Alvin Gentry on Friday, according to Yahoo! NBA reporter Marc J. Spears. Gentry was contacted by Memphis today and is set to meet with new owner Robert Pera and CEO Jason Levien in Washington D.C.

As was reported earlier today, along with Gentry, former Nuggets coach (and reigning Coach of the Year) George Karl and Bulls assistant coach Ed Pinckney are also being considered for the position.

Gentry has experience as the head coach with several teams, including the Suns, Heat, Clippers, and Pistons. His all-time record is 335-370. According to a tweet from ESPNLA.com's Ramona Shelburne, Gentry is also in the mix with the Nuggets.

Grizzlies Rumors: Pinckney, Lee, Rivers

June 12th, 2013 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

While Dave Joerger is viewed as the favorite for the Grizzlies' head coaching job, it appears the team will explore plenty of other options before making a decision. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that Memphis has received permission to speak to Bulls assistant Ed Pinckney about the position, marking the first time this offseason that we've heard Pinckney's name come up in a head coaching search. Here's more on the Grizzlies:

In addition to Joerger and Pinckney, the Grizzlies have also spoken to George Karl and Alvin Gentry and intend to have them in for formal interviews, says Berger. The team isn't interested in Brian Shaw.
Memphis is also eyeing new faces for its front office, according to Sam Amick of USA Today, who reports that the club has been granted permission to speak to Nets director of basketball operations Milton Lee. The Grizzlies are considering Lee for a senior executive position in the front office, and Amick adds that the decision to interview him is tied to Chris Wallace's uncertain future with the team.
Amick also has some updates on the coaching search, following up on Berger's report by confirming that Pinckney will meet Thursday with the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies have not requested permission to speak to Doc Rivers, but the club would have "serious interest" if Rivers decided to step down as coach of the Celtics, says Amick. For now, Memphis is monitoring the situation in Boston.

Dave Joerger Strong Favorite To Replace Hollins

June 10th, 2013 at 7:50pm CST by Luke Adams

The Grizzlies announced earlier tonight that Lionel Hollins would not be offered a new contract, with CEO Jason Levien saying in a statement: "We have begun to identify our next head coach, who we feel can best move us forward." According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, there's a good chance that next head coach is current assistant Dave Joerger.

This isn't the first time we've heard Joerger mentioned as a candidate to take over Hollins' job in Memphis, but Stein puts it in the strongest terms yet, tweeting that Joerger has been considered for weeks to be the "overwhelming favorite" for the job. Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal tweets a similar sentiment, saying it shouldn't be a surprise if Joerger is at the team's draft workout on Wednesday and is named the new head coach shortly thereafter.

If the Grizzlies don't end up promoting Joerger to replace Hollins, other candidates expected to receive consideration are ex-Nuggets coach George Karl and former Suns coach Alvin Gentry.