The decision to fire head coach Alvin Gentry was especially difficult for Pelicans VP of basketball operations David Griffin because of their long relationship, writes Jim Eichenhofer of NBA.com. Griffin, who previously worked with Gentry in Phoenix, insisted the move wasn’t a result of the team’s disappointing 2-6 record in seeding games.
“I’ve known Alvin for more than 15 years, so this is really difficult on a human level,” Griffin said. “He hasn’t forgotten how to coach and this isn’t about any shortcomings. This is far more about finding the right fit and a shared vision for a very young and ambitious group moving forward.”
Griffin adds that the Pelicans intend to take their time in the search for a new coach, partly because of coronavirus-related restrictions that make in-person interviews challenging. He said the front office won’t be content to conduct the process through conference calls on Zoom and wants to talk to as many candidates face to face as possible.
“We will not be quick with this at all. This is not a rush,” he said. “We have a job that we believe is going to be the most attractive in the NBA, quite frankly. With all of the candidates still in the (Orlando) bubble – and there are some that may not be – candidates you may want to talk to are still with teams, in many circumstances.”
There’s more related to Gentry’s dismissal:
- Despite the head coaching change, no moves will be made right away with the assistant coaches, Eichenhofer adds in the same story. “We feel very strongly about the assistant coaching staff we have,” Griffin said. “I’ve connected with almost all of them. We feel very strongly about the quality of staff we have. Some of those individuals potentially will be head coaching candidates elsewhere, Chris Finch certainly among them. He’ll be part of our conversation moving forward and it’s our intention that many of our staffers will continue to be with the next regime at some point.”
- Sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that Griffin began to have doubts about Gentry shortly after being hired by New Orleans in April of last year. He had reportedly been leaning toward a coaching change for a while, and the performance in Orlando made the decision easier.
- The Pelicans’ priority should be to find a coach who can help star rookie Zion Williamson reach his potential as a defender, contends Kevin Pelton of ESPN (Insider link). Pelton points out that Williamson was a difference maker at Duke with 3.9 steals per 100 plays and a shot-blocking rate of 5.8% on two-point attempts. His NBA numbers were far below what his performance in college would suggest.
Very hard decision but what about David Fizdale as a coach for the Pelicans.
He worked as an assistant on the BIG 3 Heat and I think he could help build around Zion and use him like how the Heat used LeBron.
He could use Zion as LeBron, Jrue Holiday as DWade and then get rid of Lonzo, Ingram and some of the teams younger players to find himself a Chris Bosh and depth.
Maybe Ingram, Lonzo and NAW for Lauri Markeneen, Zach LaVine and 2 second rounders.
Pelicans have 2 athletic freaks in LaVine and Zion which are difficult to stop especially in open space. Zach has actually worked really hard on his game offensively and continues to improve every year. Him and Jrue could form a good backcourt with Zion and Markeneen at the forward positions. Lauri giving the ideal spacing for Zion. Defensively Zach isn’t good but he’s never been on good defensive teams, having Jrue as a backcourt partner will help.
Bulls on the other hand get Ball NAW and Ingram for its rebuild to go along with White Carter Jr Hutchinson and it’s pick this year. Would be a win win situation.
Fizdale plus LaVine Holiday Zion Makeneen Favours then Hart Reddick Hayes
Some good defenders, athletic freaks, good shooters, mix of youth and experience and good size.
The Pels may be catching some criticism, especially if AD wins a title with the Lakers. It’s already started really.
Hiring Fizdale and fostering multiple-title dreams will not help that.
An Ingram-Lavine trade is interesting but involves an S&T. Ingram has to think a given action is the best for him, to agree to it.
Fizdale is absolutely useless! I hope never to see him as a HC again! He would kill Zion’s & NOLA’s potential, he is that bad!
Just get it over with now. Let Zion coach. It’s a players league. Right ?
Jon Scheyer
They need to find the next Quinn Snyder or Brad Stevens. He’s out there somewhere there’s so many coaches but who? Not some old guy like the Michigan Cleveland Cavaliers botch up. A young guy.
Trade is more important than coach
Step 1 make good trade to improve
I would start to trade Ingram Ball Holiday
Zach LaVine is not good enough
They can’t trade Ingram. He’s a restricted free agent.
Anyone else feel like this is Lue’s job? Didn’t Griffin hire him in Cle?
Screwy Lue can’t coach. He could not figure out his best 5 in Cleveland. L b j was the coach
Pat Riley
Why can’t Griffin just be honest? We all know you didn’t fire Gentry due to, “a lack of common vision.” It had everything to do with underachieving with Davis, Ingram, and Zion