Around the League: Week 6 (11/22 - 11/28)

[ShelC]

Nationally Televised Games
Tuesday, Nov. 23
Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. on TNT
Denver Nuggets Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m. on TNT

Wednesday, Nov. 24
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors, 10:00 p.m. on ESPN


National Headlines
Sacramento Kings fire Luke Walton, name Alvin Gentry interim coach
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/326 ... 6-11-start

Klay Thompson injury update: Warriors star cleared for full practice, eyes return before Christmas, per report
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/klay ... er-report/

LeBron James ejected after bloodying Isaiah Stewart as Lakers, Pistons scuffle
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/new ... cfg47ztnk9

NBA Power Rankings
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/new ... whketoss2r - Suns #2

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba- ... -big-jump/

Suns #2- Phoenix took care of business this week, beating the Grizzlies, Rockets, Wolves and the Luka Doncic-less Mavs to bring their winning streak to 10 games. The Suns won two of this week's games without Deandre Ayton, as JaVale McGee stepped up with 19 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes against Houston. Devin Booker continued his strong play, averaging 24 points, six rebounds and 4.5 assists on 40 percent 3-point shooting in the four wins this week.

[Indy]

Klay Thompson injury update: Warriors star cleared for full practice, eyes return before Christmas, per report
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/klay ... er-report/

We play them 3 times before new years day, the first game in 8 days, then again a few days later, then on Christmas Day. I am betting he plays in at least 2 of those games. Should be fun!

[pickle]

What do we think about gentry in Sactown? Fox revival and a short term boost to their on court performance? Guess he should be a high tempo coach?

[ShelC]

I'm rooting for Gentry. He's had some rough situations as a head coach but did well with us when he had the talent. The Kings are always a mess tho. I like their guards but they gotta figure out that 4/5 spot.

[Indy]

I feel like he has never got the job outright. He always seems to be the assistant that has to replace the fired head coach.

[Split T]

He got the Pels job outright, right?

[Indy]

He got the Pels job outright, right?

Yes (but he was an assistant there before) and his Clippers job was an outright hire (but he was an assistant there before too).

[Flagrant Fowl]

If Gentry were a really good head coach, he wouldn't keep replacing head coaches who were just fired.

Like some other former Suns head coaches (Igor, Watson), he's best in an assistant role.

[Indy]

It is hard to win over a team when you got the job mid-season because the other guy was fired (usually because your team sucked).

[LazarusLong]

If Gentry were a really good head coach, he wouldn't keep replacing head coaches who were just fired.

Like some other former Suns head coaches (Igor, Watson), he's best in an assistant role.

Ouch ... I think Gentry is fairly competent.
He's good at managing players.
He's not great, but he's much better than Watson, who was clearly in over his head.
Gentry is now head coach of his sixth team, so there is apparently something about what he does that appeals to GMs.

[Indy]

If Gentry were a really good head coach, he wouldn't keep replacing head coaches who were just fired.

Like some other former Suns head coaches (Igor, Watson), he's best in an assistant role.

Ouch ... I think Gentry is fairly competent.
He's good at managing players.
He's not great, but he's much better than Watson, who was clearly in over his head.
Gentry is now head coach of his sixth team, so there is apparently something about what he does that appeals to GMs.

And he is closing in on 20 seasons as a HC in the league. Not sure how many coaches can say that.

[Mori Chu]

I think Gentry is just fine as a head coach. But Sacramento has bigger problems than just coaching. That roster is a mess. They aren't going to make any noise this season. They need to upgrade their front office and make some smart offseason decisions to get back on the right track. Probably need to dump Bagley and then need to figure out what they're doing with Hield and/or Fox. Side note: their roster may collectively have the worst hair in the NBA.

[Flagrant Fowl]

If Gentry were a really good head coach, he wouldn't keep replacing head coaches who were just fired.

Like some other former Suns head coaches (Igor, Watson), he's best in an assistant role.

Ouch ... I think Gentry is fairly competent.
He's good at managing players.
He's not great, but he's much better than Watson, who was clearly in over his head.
Gentry is now head coach of his sixth team, so there is apparently something about what he does that appeals to GMs.

Sure, the owner has a head coach on an assistant coaches salary.

I think Gentry is an average head coach at best. His teams never play a lick of defense.

I have nothing personal against him, but I think he's in a situation where the longevity of his career spanning numerous franchises works against him. He's neither stable (Popovich, Spoelstra) nor a fresh voice (Monty, Thibs).

[pickle]

Lowe had some nice things to say about the Suns on his latest podcast.

[Mori Chu]

Watching the Lakers lose on national TV to the Knicks:

[pickle]

Watching a closely contested non-Suns game and seeing how the last 2 minutes of game time takes 15 minutes of real time, I can see how NBA action is sometimes not worth the effort for casual fans. But go Knicks (today only)!

[Mori Chu]

Watching a closely contested non-Suns game and seeing how the last 2 minutes of game time takes 15 minutes of real time, I can see how NBA action is sometimes not worth the effort for casual fans. But go Knicks (today only)!

I wish they could find a way to stop all the timeouts, intentional fouls, and other stoppages from ruining the game. I think I would do a rule change where if a player is intentionally fouled, the fouled team can choose either to shoot 2 FTs or just re-inbound the ball. That would probably stop some of the riffraff.

[Shabazz]

PJ Dozier just went down with what looks like a season-ending injury. Nuggets are a little snake-bitten this year. Dozier is one of my underrated Suns future targets so just a bummer all around.

[Superbone]

Watching the Lakers lose on national TV to the Knicks:

Even better, I didn’t have to listen to the Laker’s announcers.

[ShelC]

I think I just realized that I've never actually watched AD and thought "man, he's a problem for us/the rest of the league". Maybe there were times early in his NOLA days, but not anytime recently.