http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3431024 Saturday, June 7, 2008 Sources: Porter to become Suns' next head coach ESPN.com news services Multiple sources told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that Terry Porter is the new coach of the Phoenix Suns. Suns general manager Steve Kerr called Porter on Saturday morning to offer him the job, and Porter accepted. Porter is a former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and was an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons this season. Porter was interviewed twice, most recently on Monday. The Suns had been searching for a head coach since Mike D'Antoni resigned to lead the New York Knicks. Other candidates included Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner and former NBA player and TV analyst Mark Jackson. Porter was Flip Saunders' lead assistant in Detroit the past two seasons. He led the Milwaukee Bucks' from 2003 to 2005, helping them win 41 games and earn a spot in the 2004 playoffs. His coaching career started as a Sacramento Kings assistant in 2002. Information from ESPN reporter Stephen A. Smith and The Associated Press was used in this report.
I don't know much about Terry as a coach.... any Stephen A. Smith's out there want to tell me how to feel about him? I'm just glad I don't have to coach that team. I'm also glad JVG isn't the coach.
Yes!!!!! I am so happy Elston Turner and JVG didn't go to the Suns. They are a great team, but I am glad we keep Elston Turner. It's also good to have JVG still commentating.
i'm guessing he would. it was because of rick that elson had a chance at this job. anyways, porter, imo did a decent job with the bucks. don't know what the suns are doing with him though... they need more experienced coaches, like flip saunders.
I remember him more as a player. In his coaching career, the only thing that comes to mind was thinking the Bucks made a mistake when they fired him and hired Terry Stotts. Style-wise, Porter was a tough, gritty player. I don't think he will hesitate to tell Amare he must play both ends of the floor and I'm sure he will pop Diaw in the behind a few times to make him play more assertively and with more passion. Those two things right there would be a big step in the right direction. But age is going to bite the Suns next season and Porter can't help that.
Yea, now that i look at it, we are blessed to have such a great coach, as much as i love/loved JVG. It seems he does more with less every opportunity he's given and has turned most if not all of the franchises hes worked with around.
He;s going to command the respect of Amare, Shaq, and Nash? So much for the Suns - and I don't mind a bit.
Not that I follow the Bucks more than their record and what they do in the play-offs and draft but I think Porter did a solid job with them. He got them to the play-offs with a roster that's worse than what they have now. Or maybe it speaks volumes about their current coach. Most likely a little bit of both. They should have hired Porter's long time back court mate in Portland.
