Alvin Gentry is now officially the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. After winning the NBA title as an assistant with Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors, Gentry has a new challenge and focus. He also has the emerging superstar in Anthony Davis waiting for him in New Orleans.
We know how excited Gentry is about coaching Davis from the candid shout out he gave him after winning the Finals, quite literally implying that Davis and the Pelicans would be playing in June next season. At his introductory press conference, Gentry had more high praise for Davis, from John Reid of the Times-Picayune:
With emerging star power forward Anthony Davis in the fold, Gentry said the Pelicans roster has tremendous potential and he is eager to get started.
”We got the best player in the NBA, not named LeBron James,” Gentry said. ”But I’m really excited. I look at the roster and I lot of these guys I have a special relationship with.”
Gentry had a first-hand look at his best player in the first round of the playoffs, when Davis averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks against the Warriors. The second-best-after-LeBron title is pretty up for grabs. Most would argue the most eligible candidate is Kevin Durant. Davis rightfully put himself in the thick of that conversation after a stellar season of putting the world on notice. Starting next season, Gentry will be looking to put the 22-year-old Davis in an even better position to make that argument for him.
