Suns coach Gentry has no doubt Rose is MVP

Suns coach Alvin Gentry reached the Western Conference finals last season. Speaking before Tuesday’s game, he doesn’t think the fact that Derrick Rose hasn’t been past the first round of the playoffs will hinder the Bulls in the postseason.

“I don’t think it really matters,” Gentry said. “In theory, that sounds good — that he’s a little inexperienced and he’s only been around awhile — but in actuality, the guy is as good as anyone playing. To me, the guy is the runaway MVP of the league.

“I don’t know if anybody has had (Rose’s) speed and strength. He gets bumped and it has no effect on him. He’s improved his shooting as much as anyone. He’s just a real solid guy and a great NBA player. I’m voting for him for MVP. I don’t mind saying that.”

Usually, media members vote for the MVP award, but maybe Gentry is in on a secret balloting change.

Cartwright talks Tex:

Phoenix assistant coach Bill Cartwright played and coached for the Bulls over 15 seasons, so he has a nice perspective on the new Hall of Fame class. Tex Winter was a longtime Bulls assistant and Cartwright played against Artis Gilmore.

“The big thing about Tex, he was not only an innovator, but he’s helped so many people,” Cartwright said. “When I first came here, I was in his offense every day, just learning from him, talking basketball, learning the triangle.

“As a person, there’s nobody better than this guy. It would be very hard to find somebody, maybe a disgruntled player, who didn’t like him.”

Cartwright said Winter, 89, is living in Kansas now. The last time Cartwright saw him, Winter couldn’t speak but still was active.

“I was fortunate to play against (Gilmore). Great player,” Cartwright said. “One of the strongest guys I’ve ever played against. I still remember we played in a golf tournament together; it was like my second year in the league, and Artis picked me up. I was like, ‘Wow, this guy is strong.’”

Defensive edge:

Before the game, coach Tom Thibodeau was asked about the Bulls’ chances of putting a player on the all-defensive team.

The Bulls rank first in the league in defensive field-goal percentage and second in points allowed.

“I think it would be a shame if Lu (Deng) got overlooked,” Thibodeau said. “He’s by far our best individual and team defender.”

Asked what other players he considers top defenders, besides the obvious pick of Orlando’s Dwight Howard, Thibodeau mentioned three players he used to coach (Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett and Carl Hayes), along with two ex-Bulls (Thabo Sefolosha and Kirk Hinrich).