kerr might take over as coach if so, i don't think this would have any change in their deadline plans. don't blame kerr though. he's just doing sarvers bidding. remember, the bad moves started long before kerr got there. letting johnson go, trading rights to deng, nate, etc...
Suns owner denies Porter rumors Suns owner Robert Sarver, attending the NBA Tech Summitt at the Biltmore this morning, responded to rumors that Suns coach Terry Porter would be fired. “No, no,” Sarver said of the New York Post report, “that’s an erroneous rumor.” Sarver and Porter were seen walking into the Tech Summitt at the Biltmore. "I have no idea where that came from," Porter said. "Robert and Steve (Kerr, Suns GM) have not talked to me about it." "Robert and Steve have not talked to me about losing my position," said Porter, visibly annoyed at the question. "I don't worry about things I have no control over." http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/02/13/20090213sarver-porter.html Maybe Sarver doesn't want to negotiate a buy out with Porter and wants him to just quit!
This is to me, 99% about Sarver and his money. It has already been well documented that he has willingly sold off too many valuable player assets over the last 5 years to save money at the detriment of the team. I don't hate him for it...not a Suns fan...and it's his money, his team. So I just looked at the list of coach salaries from 2007. http://www.gastongazette.com/sports/million_3839___article.html/salary_year.html That seems to be the most up to date compilation I could find. Porter makes $2.3 million this year. If it were to years ago, he'd be ranked 25th out of 30 for lowest paid coaches. I wouldn't be surprised if it was lower this year considering salaries generally increase across the board due to raises and inflation...but then again, there's a bunch of new young coaches too. Whatever the case, Porter was a cheap hire. He makes half of what D'Antoni makes and I don't see why Sarver would want to fire him and pay a new guy extra money while still paying Porter. It's all about the money for Sarver...winning is like gravy to him.
2004: Had the 7th pick. Drafted Luol Deng. Not bad. But wait they traded him to Chicago for a future 1st. Deng would have been pretty good, but who else did they pass up in the rest of the draft? Andre Igoudala Andres Biedrins Al Jefferson Josh Smith 2005: Had the 21st pick. Drafted Nate Robinson and shipped him and Q Rich out to New York for Kurt Thomas. What could the 21st pick have gotten them instead? Jason Maxiell David Lee 2006: Had the 21st pick. Drafted Rajon Rondo and then traded him out for a future 1st and CASH. They had the 27th pick too but traded that to the Blazers for a future 1st....and that would come up in: 2007: Had two 1st rounders again (24th and 29th). 24th pick they drafted Rudy Fernandez...and traded him to Portland! These Suns sure love getting d!cked by Prickchard. 29th they used on Alando Tucker (Who?!). Could have had Carl Landry Marc Gasol Glen Davis (since they obviously needed some size/fat) So lets recap. If they would have kept their original core, and if Sarver shelled out some dough, here's their lineup: PG: Nash/Rajon Rondo SG: Joe Johnson/ Rudy Fernandez SF: Josh Smith/ Quentin Richardson PF: Shawn Marion/ David Lee C: Amare Stoudemire/ Marc Gasol The funny thing is that Rondo, Fernandez, Lee, and Gasol would STILL be on their rookie contracts!!!
After sniffing around a little bit, I now believe there is a small chance Terry Porter gets fired in the next 2-3 days. There is too much smoke out there to dismiss the rumors completely. But if it doesn't happen by lunchtime Monday, Porter will stay. If Porter is fired and Steve Kerr takes over coaching duties, the Suns will be the laughingstock of the NBA. If they replace Porter with Kerr during the break AND trade Amare away without getting much in return, the scorn will be off the charts. I betcha Porter stays and Amare is traded.
Another article about the Suns front office creating the mess. Mostly talks about Sarver in a non-positive light http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...?slug=jy-sarversuns021309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns About Porter About Sarver
This is getting ridiculous. I've now read enough from ESPN.com and Suns message boards that I think Porter is probably going to be fired Monday. If Phoenix weren't hosting the All-Star game, it might have happened already. But Sarver/Kerr/Porter don't want to do anything to subtract from the festivities. Gentry will apparently take over. What a stinky mess in Phoenix.
yahoo is now confirming that the Suns are finalizing a deal to replace Porter with Gentry. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...?slug=jy-gentrysuns021509&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
I'm still in utter shock over all this. As a Rockets fan you would think I should be happy that an arch rival has completely nosedived but I almost feel cheated as a basketball fan. I don't want to go 'Bill Simmons' on everybody here but the Suns were fun to watch. I don't know how to feel.
Sure is fun watching Sarver & Cuban fight it out for the last lottery pick. Hope Sarver wins cause you know he'll trade the pick.
Suns replacing Porter with Gentry http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...?slug=jy-gentrysuns021509&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
This is a terrible mark on Kerr's record on top of his earlier mistakes. I'd say there is a 90% chance he is fired after the season ends. The mistake in hiring/firing Terry Porter after only 40 games cannot be forgiven. Too bad Sarver can't fire himself for bringing Kerr on board.
seriously what did he read his articles on Yahoo! sports and think, "man that Kerr guy knows his stuff!" I hope they don't do the now popular move of "you brought the players here now you coach them"
To be fair, Porter is a pretty good coach. In my opinion if the entire team had good chemistry together and got along, This team could have done damage in the playoffs and could have been a contender. Before Amare started whining about not being the featured guy, they were the 2nd seed in the West. Not sure if they would have lost it, but Even I would rather run my offense through a current Shaq than a current Amare. Amare isn't the guy you honestly would want leading your team or taking all your shots. Best wishes to Porter, I hope he gets another coaching job soon. But Business is Business.
Hopefully this doesnt restore the Suns confidence back. I wish the Rockets main problem was just to have "more fun" on the court, if thats all it really comes down to. There's still a lot of reputable talent on that team, lot of egos but for the most part they're not bad guys
