Former Mountaineer basketballer Alvin Gentry (Class of 77--Business Management) is a candidate for the vacant NBA head coaching positions of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the LA Lakers. He spent the entire weekend with the Cavaliers' braintrust and is expected to be interviewed by the Lakers sometime this week. I guess this is why he didn't apply for the HC position at his beloved alma mater!

Alvin's a good guy. I hope he gets the gig of his choice. He's just 59, so he's good to go for several more years. He learned about coaching longevity from the best--Larry Brown.

When is the last time that Gentry even acknowledged App State's existence?

asu66 wrote:

IGgreer wrote:When is the last time that Gentry even acknowledged App State's existence?

When did you start taking a joking comment so seriously? My comment was made in jest. But since you brought it up, that would probably be last May when he interviewed for the Charlotte Bobcats' job in Charlotte and out at a Lake Norman estate. And in the last five years when he returned home to Shelby for the funerals of both his Dad and his Mom. He maintains close ties to his WNC family and his WNC roots. He speaks of his early roots often. His years at ASU are part of who he is as a person. He goes where the work is; and in recent years that's been in San Antonio, Phoenix and LA.

BTW, this is a direct quotation from Alvin. Maybe there's a lesson in here somewhere for all of us. "My dad passed away about three years ago,'' Gentry says, "But I clearly remember something he liked to say: 'It's hard work to be a jerk.'" "Grant Hill and I were talking about this," he says. "I wonder if there's a gene in some people that makes them become jerks. It's so much easier to be nice to people. Isn't it innate in all of us, anyway, to be nice to everyone?"

asu66 wrote:

asu66 wrote:

IGgreer wrote:When is the last time that Gentry even acknowledged App State's existence?

When did you start taking a joking comment so seriously? My comment was made in jest. But since you brought it up, that would probably be last May when he interviewed for the Charlotte Bobcats' job in Charlotte and out at a Lake Norman estate. And in the last five years when he returned home to Shelby for the funerals of both his Dad and his Mom. He maintains close ties to his WNC family and his WNC roots. He speaks of his early roots often. His years at ASU are part of who he is as a person. He goes where the work is; and in recent years that's been in San Antonio, Phoenix and LA.

BTW, this is a direct quotation from Alvin. Maybe there's a lesson in here somewhere for all of us. "My dad passed away about three years ago,'' Gentry says, "But I clearly remember something he liked to say: 'It's hard work to be a jerk.'" "Grant Hill and I were talking about this," he says. "I wonder if there's a gene in some people that makes them become jerks. It's so much easier to be nice to people. Isn't it innate in all of us, anyway, to be nice to everyone?"

How did this post get posted twice simultaneously? The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago.

Glad to hear that Alvin keeps strong ties to WNC. Sorry to hear about his folks, etc. Also thanks for double posting the quote with the undertone of calling me a jerk.

The question remains, however.

I'm not really posing this question in a negative way, just curious. Alvin has zero responsibility to help App State imo. But the fact that he is one of the most well-respected people in the entire NBA, it would be cool to see him reach out to his alma-mater.

It wasn't my intention to offend you in any way; and I can't explain the double posts. That's a "mod" thing. They can make them go away. That would be my wish and request.

I did want to make the point that your posts often seem to be aimed at offending someone for something. Sometimes they're right on point; sometimes they're funny; sometimes they're hurtful and waaay over the line. And once in a while one gets under my skin. I usually don't give a kneejerk reaction to those. This time I started shooting at the drop of your hat.

One day, Alvin Gentry will be honored by ASU as a distinguished alum. Just hide and watch. It should come in our lifetimes. Your lifetime, anyway! The birthdays are creeping up on me.
'

It wasn't my intention to offend you in any way; and I can't explain the double posts. That's a "mod" thing. They can make them go away. That would be my wish and request.

I did want to make the point that your posts often seem to be aimed at offending someone for something. Sometimes they're right on point; sometimes they're funny; sometimes they're hurtful and waaay over the line. And once in a while one gets under my skin. I usually don't give a kneejerk reaction to those. This time I started shooting at the drop of your hat.

One day, Alvin Gentry will be honored by ASU as a distinguished alum. Just hide and watch. It should come in our lifetimes. Your lifetime, anyway! The birthdays are creeping up on me.
'

I remember an article on appstatesports.com a few years ago about him stopping by the HCC and meeting some coaches and players. I think there was a photo with the article. Can't find it now though. He is a busy guy - NBA seasons are very long. I don't feel slighted. It doesn't seem like Sidney Lowe, George Karl, or Larry Brown made many high-profile gestures toward their alma mater's while they were coaching in the NBA.