9804290123
DETROIT FREE PRESS
980429
Wednesday, April 29, 1998
METRO FINAL
1D
MITCH ALBOM
Copyright (c) 1998, Detroit Free Press
GENTRY PICK NATURAL CONSIDERING HISTORY
When you check into a bed and breakfast, it's a good idea to read the guest
book. See what others before you had to say.
Same goes for hiring NBA coaches. A look back gives a glimpse ahead. So here,
on this first morning of the Alvin Gentry Era in Pistonland, a brief primer on
those who came before him:
In 1992, the Pistons let go of Chuck Daly, the coach who brought them their
only two championships. They hired Ron Rothstein, a guy who had been working
in TV.
"We need change and we need discipline," said Isiah Thomas the day Rothstein
was hired. "Those are the things Ron brings to the party."
One year later, the party was over. The Pistons fired Rothstein and hired one
of his assistants, Don Chaney. Discipline was out, understanding was in.
"Don is going to command the players' respect, not demand it," Tom Wilson said
the day Chaney was hired.
Two years later, having lost the players' respect, Chaney was fired. The
Pistons dipped back into the TV booth, plucking Doug Collins. Good-bye,
understanding. Hello, butt-kicking.
"I love his enthusiasm," owner Bill Davidson said the day Collins was hired.
Three years later, Davidson wasn't so crazy about his enthusiasm. Neither were
the players. Collins was axed, and, in keeping with the pattern -- one TV guy,
one assistant, one TV guy, one assistant -- Detroit chose Gentry, an affable
man who has a calming effect.
And as of this morning, the job is his. For two years. Plus an option.
Five coaches in six years? A Ping-Pong from discipline to detente, discipline
to detente?
Kind of makes you wonder where the ball is going to bounce next, doesn't it?
It's the players, stupid
Now, none of this is to say that Gentry won't be a fine coach. Like Brian
Ellerbe at Michigan, Gentry, 43, is a young guy you first expect to be "happy
to be here." Then, when you come to know him, you realize there's a dash of
moxie, a quiet confidence and a lot going on upstairs.
Defenders of his promotion Tuesday pointed to guys such as Phil Jackson and
Pat Riley, who were unknown assistants before becoming top-ranked coaches. Of
course, when someone points to Phil Jackson and Pat Riley, I point to Michael
Jordan and Magic Johnson. I mean, Brendan Malone was an assistant who became a
head coach, too. How long did that last?
Same goes for Bill Hanzlik (Denver), Jim Clemons (Dallas) or Dick Versace
(Indiana). All those ex-assistants came highly recommended. They left highly
reconsidered.
Today's NBA is all about the players. If you got 'em, you're three-quarters of
the way home. Which partly explains Gentry's new status.
Grant Hill likes him.
"You have to admit, if Hill weren't on your side, you wouldn't be here," I
said to Gentry.
"No question," he said, to his credit. "On the court, I try to put Grant in
every situation where he can be successful. And off the court, I let him come
to me. I think Grant is much more comfortable being the person who does the
coming in, rather than being approached."
Don't underestimate an observation like that. It's the kind of thing Collins
didn't get. Older fans might think being a good coach is kicking over a
chalkboard and screaming X's and O's. But nowadays, knowing your players'
moods will keep you your job much longer.
Gentry does this. He is not an irrational screamer. He relates to players from
his own experience in the game.
Of course, the same could be said of Don Chaney, and look what happened to
him.
"Here's how Alvin handles things," said Joe Dumars, who also is in favor of
the hire. "In our last game against Chicago we had a big lead, then the Bulls
made a run at us. Alvin called time out, but he didn't yell. He said, 'Hey,
they're the world champions. Did you really think they wouldn't make a run? We
expected this, now let's go out and stop it.'
"As a player, you appreciate that approach."
And the Pistons won the game.
Then again, the Bulls are still playing. The Pistons are golfing.
He has a head start
A few days ago, I asked Chuck Daly, who now coaches Orlando, what he thought
of the Pistons hiring Gentry. He gave it thumbs-up.
"He's a sharp guy," Daly said. "And he already knows the personnel. That's
key. Knowing what certain guys like to do, what they're willing to do.
"I don't care who else they hired. Say they got George Karl (from Seattle.)
He's an excellent coach, done a great job. But I guarantee you it would take
George a year to learn the personnel, same as everyone else."
By that point, Gentry would be halfway through his deal. Let's face it. It's
no accident that the term of his contract coincides with the remainder of
Grant Hill's. If Hill changes his mind on Gentry in the next two seasons, the
Pistons will be free to ax him and get whomever Grant wants. More than
anything, that's what this is about. Keeping Hill, Mr. Franchise, happy and --
most important -- on the roster.
In the interim, Gentry gets a chance to make his mark. He'll need a big
forward. He'll need more scoring. And he'll need to crawl inside Brian
Williams' head and reset the buttons.
But it's a shot, one Gentry has worked hard for. I wish him luck. I like him,
and I see why the Pistons do, too. Looking at him historically, he fits the
pattern. Soon enough, we'll learn if he fits the bill.
To leave a message for Mitch Albom, call 1-313-223-4581. He will sign copies
of "Tuesdays With Morrie" 1-2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, Rochester
Hills, and 7:30-8:30 p.m. May 6 at Barnes & Noble, Grosse Pointe Woods.
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