http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12983016/alvin-gentry-named-new-orleans-pelicans-head-coach
Golden State Warriors associate head coach Alvin Gentry has been hired as the new coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced.
Gentry, 60, and the Pelicans agreed to a deal Saturday, with New Orleans choosing the former Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns coach over fellow finalist Jeff Van Gundy, an ESPN NBA analyst, sources said.
"I'm truly honored for the opportunity to lead the Pelicans as their head coach and am anxious to get started," Gentry said in a statement.
Gentry will finish the postseason with the Warriors before taking over as coach of young star center Anthony Davis and the Pelicans. Golden State hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pelton: Gentry-fication of Pels' offense
Alvin Gentry will push the Pelicans' current lethargic pace, ranked 27th the past season. The challenge will be improving defensively.
"We are excited to announce that Alvin Gentry is the new head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. We warmly welcome Alvin and his family to the Pelicans organization," general manager Dell Demps said in a statement. "After assessing our team, along with the core values of the Pelicans, we created a list of characteristics and qualities we wanted in our head coach. We conducted an extensive coaching search that identified Alvin Gentry as the right person to lead our team."
Gentry has been one of the architects of the Warriors' potent offense. As the lead offensive assistant, players and other assistants looked to him as the one who could draw up a shot for anybody.
The centerpiece in New Orleans is the 22-year-old Davis, a two-time All-Star who averaged 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game this season.
The Pelicans, sources say, chose Gentry because they wanted to infuse their offense with more creativity and pace, in hopes of taking advantage of Davis' uncommon gifts for a big man and the athletes on the roster around him.
New Orleans finished 27th in the league in pace this season under coach Monty Williams, whose insistence on playing slowly -- but without great success defensively -- cost him his job after five seasons, despite the Pelicans' 45-37 record and surprise trip to the playoffs as the West's No. 8 seed. They were swept by Gentry's Warriors in Round 1.
"Alvin is a well-respected coach that brings many years of experience, a wealth of knowledge, creativity and leadership." Demps said. "Alvin and I have a shared vision and we look forward to working together in achieving sustained success for Pelican fans and the New Orleans community."
I'm happy for em, he's a good coach.......but if Davis bolts, he'll be back as somebody's assistant real soon.
Golden State Warriors associate head coach Alvin Gentry has been hired as the new coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced.
Gentry, 60, and the Pelicans agreed to a deal Saturday, with New Orleans choosing the former Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns coach over fellow finalist Jeff Van Gundy, an ESPN NBA analyst, sources said.
"I'm truly honored for the opportunity to lead the Pelicans as their head coach and am anxious to get started," Gentry said in a statement.
Gentry will finish the postseason with the Warriors before taking over as coach of young star center Anthony Davis and the Pelicans. Golden State hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pelton: Gentry-fication of Pels' offense
Alvin Gentry will push the Pelicans' current lethargic pace, ranked 27th the past season. The challenge will be improving defensively.
"We are excited to announce that Alvin Gentry is the new head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. We warmly welcome Alvin and his family to the Pelicans organization," general manager Dell Demps said in a statement. "After assessing our team, along with the core values of the Pelicans, we created a list of characteristics and qualities we wanted in our head coach. We conducted an extensive coaching search that identified Alvin Gentry as the right person to lead our team."
Gentry has been one of the architects of the Warriors' potent offense. As the lead offensive assistant, players and other assistants looked to him as the one who could draw up a shot for anybody.
The centerpiece in New Orleans is the 22-year-old Davis, a two-time All-Star who averaged 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game this season.
The Pelicans, sources say, chose Gentry because they wanted to infuse their offense with more creativity and pace, in hopes of taking advantage of Davis' uncommon gifts for a big man and the athletes on the roster around him.
New Orleans finished 27th in the league in pace this season under coach Monty Williams, whose insistence on playing slowly -- but without great success defensively -- cost him his job after five seasons, despite the Pelicans' 45-37 record and surprise trip to the playoffs as the West's No. 8 seed. They were swept by Gentry's Warriors in Round 1.
"Alvin is a well-respected coach that brings many years of experience, a wealth of knowledge, creativity and leadership." Demps said. "Alvin and I have a shared vision and we look forward to working together in achieving sustained success for Pelican fans and the New Orleans community."
I'm happy for em, he's a good coach.......but if Davis bolts, he'll be back as somebody's assistant real soon.
