PHOENIX (AP) -Terry Porter’s job as Phoenix Suns coach is hanging in the balance over All-Star weekend.
“We haven’t made a decision,” Suns general manager Steve Kerr told The Associated Press Saturday night. “There are a lot of things we’re working on this weekend.”
Kerr’s comments came in response to a report by The Arizona Republic that there were “strong indications” Porter would be fired on Monday.
The newspaper, in a story on its Web site, cited no source but said “the apparent plan” is for Porter to be replaced.
Kerr has said the entire Suns’ roster and coaching staff is being reviewed during the All-Star break following an underachieving performance that has Phoenix in ninth place in the Western Conference, one game behind eighth-place Utah.
Porter, a friend and former teammate of Kerr with San Antonio, was hired before the start of the season to replace Mike D’Antoni, who left for the New York Knicks after directing the Suns at least 54 victories in each of four consecutive seasons.
easons and was head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2003-04 and 2004-05. He was an assistant coach at Detroit when he was hired by the Suns, and the intention was for him to bring the Pistons’ defense-oriented style with him.
That plan was jettisoned after it became apparent the Suns’ personnel were better suited to an up-tempo style.
Raja Bell openly questioned Porter’s plan and was traded, along with Boris Diaw, to Charlotte for Jason Richardson. The result has been an uneven performance that had the team lose 10 of 16 games going into the All-Star break.
If Porter goes, a leading contender to replace him is Alvin Gentry, a Phoenix assistant coach since 2004. Gentry has 20 years coaching experience in the NBA, including head coaching stints with Miami, Detroit and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Gentry drew praise from Amare Stoudemire on Friday when his name came up as a possible new coach for the Suns.
“Alvin, first of all, is a good friend,” Stoudemire said. “He’s a real good friend. He really talks about the game of basketball, he listens and he works with players.”
Stoudemire might not be around, whether Gentry gets the job or not. The Suns’ power forward, a starter in Sunday’s All-Star Game, has been mentioned prominently as a top candidate to be traded before Thursday’s deadline.
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