Gentry holds true to his word
Feb 17, 2011, 2:11 PM | Updated: 2:43 pm
Not long ago, head coach Alvin Gentry made a promise to his team: win tonight and you get tomorrow off, from here on out.
Tuesday night’s 102-101 home win over the Utah Jazz earned the team the day off even though they’ve got four days off beginning Friday because of the NBA All-Star break.
Gentry struck the deal with his players after the Suns defeated the Boston Celtics on January 28. Since then, the team has not practiced the day after a victory.
He admitted he wanted to schedule a practice today, though, because he was not pleased with the number of turnovers they committed against the Jazz. 19 total turnovers and 14 in the first half alone don’t help win important games; but a deal is a deal.
Gentry has since amended the deal: 15 or more turnovers and “we’ll practice regardless if we win or lose.”
Turnovers have been a major topic of discussion with the Suns this season but, perhaps, they shouldn’t be.
The Suns are 6-4, including winning their last four games, when they turn the ball over 19 or more times. They own a 17-10 record when the turnover mark reaches 15 or more.
The team looks forward to hosting the Dallas Mavericks, winners of 11 of 12, on the back end of their back-to-back Thursday night.
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