Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry responds to Marcin Gortat's comments

After Marcin Gortat was quoted in the Polish media as being critical of Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry and his usage of him on the basketball court, Gentry had a chance to respond to his comments.

Gentry said on Bright Side of the Sun:

"I'm glad he did. It's going to be what it is. Nothing's going to change. We'll try and throw him the ball and we'll try and get him the ball as much as we possibly can and do everything we can to get him the ball but you know, it is what it is.

We'd love to be able to throw him the ball and have him post up and score for us (but) that hasn't been one of his strengths really."

Gortat said in his statement that Gentry told him that Luis Scola was the team's first option in the low post. Scola is a known back-to-the-basket threat who has played that way since he entered the league. Scola is averaging 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds while shooting 47.2% from the field and 81.5% from the free-throw line. Gortat averages 11.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks on 51.0% from the field and 70.8% from the free-throw line.

"Screening, rolling to the basket. Athletic enough that he can get offensive rebounds, running the open court like he did last year. Nothing's changed from last year."

Though Gortat's numbers are comparable to Scola's, Gortat gets a lot of his buckets on dirty work plays and his lower free-throw percentage makes him less likely to take advantage of being fouled while playing on the low block.

But it might be good to get Gortat more involved. In the team's four wins, Gortat is averaging 15.8 points on 58.1% shooting while in the team's seven losses, Gortat is averaging just 8.3 points on 45.8% shooting.