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NBA: Top 10 candidates for 2018-19 Coach of the Year award

By Gerald Bourguet

Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /
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7. Alvin Gentry, New Orleans Pelicans

Outside of the heavy-hitters is Alvin Gentry, a great dark horse candidate based on what the New Orleans Pelicans were able to do after DeMarcus Cousins went down and Anthony Davis shifted over to his most effective position at the 5.

After Boogie sustained his season-ending Achilles injury, the Pelicans finished the season 21-13 (a 51-win pace) and swept the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs. With a full season of AD at center, Nikola Mirotic spreading the floor at the 4 and Julius Randle wreaking havoc in small-ball lineups off the bench, this team might surprise some people.

Losing Rajon Rondo is the biggest question mark here, followed closely by wing depth. However, if the Pelicans can build off the momentum of their most promising stretch yet under Gentry, he could wind up being a Coach of the Year sleeper pick.