Doug Collins calls Alvin Gentry 'a damned good coach'

If Alvin Gentry is looking for anyone to have his back, look no further than Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins who completely understands what Gentry is dealing with this season. Collins has eight new players on his current roster while Gentry is trying to implement nine new ones into his system. Both coaches have had ups-and-downs in the early season, so the empathy is understandable, as told to the Arizona Republic.

"I think he's one of the most underrated coaches in the NBA, and I'm not just saying that because I love him like a brother," said Collins, who had Gentry on his Detroit staff. "He's a damned good coach. He works hard. His staff does a good job. His teams play every single night and he puts them in a position to give them a chance to win every night."

The Suns are 6-8 this season having won two of their past three games after a three-game losing streak. They trail the Pacific Division-leading Golden State Warriors by 3 1/2 games and are fourth in the division overall. But somehow, the Suns are still 11th in the highly competitive Western Conference and are a just a game out of the eighth-seed.

They rank eighth in the league in scoring at 100.5 but are 30th in the league allowing 103.3. They are putting up points but as always, the Suns are struggling to defend anyone.