Alvin Gentry will find himself on the hot seat if the Pelicans continue to struggle, Sean Deveney of Sporting News writes. New Orleans has won just 38 games since he took over the team, but the lack of success isn’t entirely his fault. Gentry hasn’t been able to implement complicated offensive sets because of a rash of injuries since taking over the job. He’s been forced to use 55 different starting lineups over the last two seasons and Deveney argues that Gentry deserves more time because of the instability.
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- Jameer Nelson has been a leader for Nuggets and many within the organization believe he possesses the skills to become a head coach down the road, Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders writes. “Jameer is the leader of our team,” Mike Malone said. “It’s been important because we have so many young players on this team. It’s great to have a young guy that can look to a guy like Jameer and how to act on and off of the court.”
- The Nuggets should consider dealing Wilson Chandler and Minnesota would be a good destination for the veteran, Michael Pina of RealGM opines. Pina believes Denver could get a future first round pick for the small forward.
- The Suns should deal Tyson Chandler in order to free up minutes for their younger frontcourt players, Keith P. Smith of RealGM contends. Smith argues that the team should be patient with its rebuild and not try to bring aboard any other veterans who don’t fit its timeline.
- The Grizzlies are winning games despite a slew of injuries and Colin McGowen of RealGM believes coach David Fizdale deserves credit for his effective communication and aggressive defensive scheme. Memphis leads the league in defensive efficiency, as I noted in this week’s edition of Fantasy Hoops.
Not Gentry’s fault they have that personnel. He is running the right system. They just need at least another shooter on the wing, maybe also a big that can shoot. Also, they can’t stay healthy to save their lives. They actually made good moves this recent offseason, but the rest of the team isn’t good enough, with the exception of Holiday and obviously Davis. That Asik deal didnt make much sense for them
A few teams could use Wilson Chandler at the 3/4, if he could ever stay healthy, although he has been terrible defensively this year, so that probably lowers the amount of suitors. I feel like OKC would be a decent fit
While Tyson Chandler hasnt protected the rim at all, he has rebounded well, and I think with so many young players on their roster, its beneficial to have a veteran like him, especially with their lack of an effective big otherwise. Not really a fan of Alex Len, personally, and I dont think Bender is a 5 right now.
Always knew Coach Fiz would be a good head coach in this league. He has done some great things for that organization since he has been there. Its pretty amazing how they’ve become so much more athletic, and they have youth on that roster as well. Those young guys have been effective, and I think it probably has a lot to do with Fizdale giving them confidence and just letting them go out and play basketball. It also helps that the veterans bought in right away, especially Zach Randolph.
The Suns need to trade all the old players: Chandler, Barbossa, Dudley, and even Bledsoe. Let the young Suns play. Those veterans aren’t helping the kids win games, trade them to contenders.
Lol Bledsoe is by far their best player, and still young enough where it makes no sense to move him. Also, it’s important to have veterns around a young team like that. Just look at philly the last couple of years. They had nobody over 24
By far the best player? What does that mean on a terrible team? Bledsoe isn’t a winning player in the NBA so get rid of him. Yes I agree vets can be good for rookies but in this case they are passing their losing ways on. SUNS should be more like Timberwolves and play their kids together and allow them to grow. The 76ers are a terrible example.
The Suns are playing their kids. Who would play the 5 on that roster, other than Chandler, that he is taking away their minutes?