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AP: e47627a3-d56f-4837-b651-7195d140dca6
Phoenix Suns' Alvin Gentry, right, argues with official Gary Zielinski over a foul called against the Suns in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Phoenix. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 110-100. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Suns sit at 4-5 on the season as they get ready to face the Lakers on Friday night. They've shown flashes of progress and talent with a relatively new cast of players, but the problem is those moments have typically come when they are facing a double-digit deficit.

Head coach Alvin Gentry isn't sure what the answer is to avoid the slow starts, but he knows something has to change.

"I don't really know, I think what we're going to have to do is fake the score on the scoreboard and put us down 15 right at the start and then see if that will work," Gentry said Thursday. "I don't have an answer. I really don't. It's a mystery to me."

In their most recent loss to the Chicago Bulls, the Suns trailed by 14 points heading into the fourth quarter but then outscored Chicago 31-17 in the final period.

"It just seems like it clicks in once we get down 15 points or so, then we just start playing and playing like we would like to be playing at the start of the game," said Gentry. "We just have to keep trying to figure out how we can avoid those double-digit deficits early in the game."

The Suns have now trailed by double digits in eight of nine games this season, including all five games at home. The starting lineup has remained the same with Goran Dragic, Marcin Gortat, Michael Beasley, Jared Dudley and Luis Scola, but according to Gentry that's something that could change in the near future.

"I think we have to look at that," said Gentry. "I mean obviously if this is something that's going to be a constant than we want to eliminate fighting double-digit leads. I just didn't want to make rash judgments nine games or eight games into the season."

Gentry also emphasized that finding the right chemistry and the right rotation will take some time with nine of the 14 guys on the roster new this season.

"I think we still have to try to develop some consistency, and I don't think jerking guys in-and-out of the lineup is the way to do it," said Gentry. "So, we just have to take a good hard look, but if it's something that continues than obviously we'll maybe have to consider making some changes in the lineup."

What those changes might be no one knows for sure, and Gentry isn't willing to show his hand, either. He did say that he likes the second unit with Shannon Brown, Sebastian Telfair and P.J. Tucker and the energy they bring.

It will be a delicate balance that gets tested over the weekend when the Suns are forced to play two of the best teams in the league -- the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat -- on back-to-back nights Friday and Saturday.

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  • Abuse
    SurpriseMe wrote...
    suns doing great
    baffled? The Suns have won 4 more games than I expected. I am getting excited about this team might just take the 8th playoff spot which would be huge with no players
  • Abuse
    FOURSUNS wrote...
    RU Kidding
    What does he mean he's baffled - he's the fricking COACH for godsakes!!!!!!! They ( players ) are LAZY and not FOCUSED!!!!! Hello Coach anybody HOME!!!!!!!!
  • Abuse
    azallday1 wrote...
    I would just like to say...
    Michael Beasley SUCKS!!!! He is so uninterested and LAZY during the course of the game it is FRUSTRATING. Please, trade him while he has some sort of value.
  • Abuse
    SheLovesAZSports wrote...
    RU Kidding
    Come on FOURSUNS, it's only 9 games into the season and you're such a cry baby. It's not like you're a Cardinals (like me) fan, your record is 4-5 and your season is almost over. Love, your wife
  • Abuse
    Dick W. wrote...
    Time to Go
    Anytime a coach is BAFFLED as to what to do --- Big Sign It Is Time For That Coach To Go --- since Gentry would be considered at best a below Ave. Heach Coach, need someone who can coach & articulate what he wants & builds a solid relationship with the players; Coaching this band of 2nd Rate Players is a Challenge for any coach & Gentry is out of his league --- go after Jerry Sloan ASAP
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