Going from assistant to head coach overnight is nothing new for Alvin Gentry. The veteran manager has already played his first game leading the Kings covering the firing of Luke Walton until further notice. This is the fourth time Gentry has been promoted in this way. Previously he had done it in 94-95 with Miami, in 97-98 with Detroit and in 08-09 with Phoenix. That is, he knows what he is doing, and a news item that appeared recently indicates that Gentry would have resigned from Philadelphia to continue as an assistant to Sacramento. Despite charging less in the Californian franchise.
The Kings’ own environment has leaked that the only reason for not changing coaches last summer was the financial cost that the firing of Luke Walton would have entailed. But after starting with a rickety 6-11 and even worse feelings, the management led by Monte McNair has said enough. Walton’s departure ends years of speculation regarding his departure. Obviously, Alvin Gentry was not unaware of this noise, preferring to be Walton’s right-hand man than Doc Rivers’ second aboard waiting to hunt down the bigger loot.
According to Jake Fischer in his last article on Bleacher ReportGentry was one of the first men the Sixers coach thought of when he came to the franchise last season. The two have a great relationship and have already worked together in the Los Angeles Clippers, so when Rivers learned of his departure as coach of New Orleans he wanted to join his technical team as soon as possible.
However, Gentry chose an assistant position for the Kings in October 2020, which became an associate head coach position for 2021-22. The information does not reveal the figures of any of the contracts offered or signed by the technician. Neither is the difference that he gave up in his day.
Put on paper, it is difficult to explain his choice to be part of a team always on the brink of shipwreck and one that aimed to be a contender in the Eastern Conference. He says that “I came here to help Luke in any way possible. When something like this happens you feel bad for not being able to help enough. Be honest or not, Gentry is back on an NBA bench starting from the second row. There are a few months ahead to seize this opportunity.
(Cover photo by Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)
