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New Orleans Pelicans: Alvin Gentry Hired As Coach

By Owen Sanborn

Mar 4, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Alvin Gentry (right) argues with NBA referee Brian Forte during the game against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Alvin Gentry (right) argues with NBA referee Brian Forte during the game against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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And just like that, the search for a new coach suddenly came to an end.

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After nearly three weeks after firing Monty Williams as head coach, the New Orleans Pelicans have found their new man, and he goes by the name of Alvin (no chipmunks) Gentry. The hire comes as a surprise to nobody really, as Gentry had been a lead candidate from the get-go and had already undergone two interviews with the team.

The timing of the choice, however, is rather interesting. Gentry is about to embark on an NBA Finals binge as a lead assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors and the Chicago Bulls finally parted ways with their beleaguered head coach, Tom Thibodeau, who was expected to be another leading candidate for the position.

Dell Demps most likely does not want to deal with Thibodeau’s rugged demeanor and reputation for being at odds with his respective front office. And that’s fair. For we all we know Thibodeau may not even be looking to coach again next season, or had no interest in the New Orleans job whatsoever. Either way, Thibs not interviewing for the job seems a bit fishy to me.

But that is neither here nor there, and Demps obviously has been fixated on Gentry for awhile now. Gentry has a career 335-370 record as a head coach, but some of his stints have been on an interim basis, so those numbers should be taken with the proper grain of salt.

His greatest coaching feat was leading the 2009-10 Phoenix Suns to the Western Conference Finals before having their hearts broken by a lucky Ron Artest lay up that few fans probably remember:

I happened to live in Phoenix during that time … (sigh).

Gentry is known to have a unique way of relating to his players and getting the most out of their talents by employing a fun brand of basketball. He has a progressive offensive mind and is known to be an uptempo kind of guy, which fits the roster as currently constructed quite nicely. Wouldn’t you agree, Marc Stein?

Anthony Davis is going to love playing for him and I believe the uptempo brand of basketball will have a positive effect on both Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday (if they both are on the team at the end of the summer).

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    • Navigating an open floor is where Evans is at his best and most creative, allowing him to play more downhill and get running starts towards the rim. He often will get himself into trouble against a set defense in the half court by trying to force passes that are not there or taking long, contested jump shots. I am excited to see how he reacts to playing in a more freelancing system.

    To be fair to Monty, the New Orleans offense ranked ninth in offensive efficiency last season. In other words, the offense was not the problem. Instead, the Pelicans underachieved on the defensive end of the floor, coming in at 22nd in efficiency.

    If Gentry can take some of the principles from his time coaching in Golden State this season (they rank first in defensive efficiency) and apply them to the Pelicans, there may be something here. I am not saying that the Pelicans are taking an ambitious leap to a top five defense next season, but I think getting within the top 15 or maybe, MAYBE top 10 is not unattainable.

    You have Davis protecting the rim for heaven’s sake, that is a pretty damn good start.

    All in all, I would sum up yesterday as a pretty great day for Pelicans fans. The front office got their man, their star should be fairly happy with the decision and the future is looking brighter in New Orleans.

    Next: LaMarcus Aldridge: Top 5 Free Agency Destinations

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