5 Lineups New Orleans Pelicans’ fans will See

Over the past two weeks, the dynamic of the New Orleans Pelicans’ roster has changed dramatically.  With high energy defenders, and versatile scorers at his disposal, Coach Alvin Gentry will have to experiment to find the deadliest lineups possible.

Alvin Gentry‘s attacking style of coaching has been traced back to his service as Mike D’Antoni’s pupil in Phoenix.  But long before his time under the Sun(s), Gentry worked under the watchful eye of legends like Larry Brown and Greg Popovich.

During Gentry’s time under these ever-growing coaching trees, Gentry’s system was not relegated to just the “Seven Seconds or Less” offense we came to enjoy from Steve Nash’s Suns.  As an elite offensive point guard, Gentry smartly utilized an offense previously built around his strengths, relying on Nash’s intellect, the high pick and roll and the three point shooting of Jason Richardson, Shawn Marion, and Jared Dudley among others.

Once Nash departed, however, Gentry’s system evolved. It even employed Triangle-type aspects with Markieff Morris starting the offense at the top of the key, with motion sets and dribble-drive penetration.

Now with versatile wingmen joining the fold such as Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway, Solomon Hill, and E’Twaun Moore, fans can expect even more changes to the Pelicans offense. Those changes could include elements of the Corner and Princeton offenses, with less of the Seven Seconds or Less. That could mean less of offensive geared around transitions, jump shooting and finishing at the hoop as well.

With such an array of barraging backcourt talent, fans will likely pray that Gentry moves away from albatross big men such as Omer Asik, and Alexis Ajinca.  The offense will focus more on crisp passing, back door cuts, and Anthony Davis spacing the floor as Amare and Morris did at the top of the key.  This is what many fans dreamed of when Gentry first joined the Pelicans, but complete small ball wasn’t yet attainable. This is because contracts were still being dished out to the sluggish big men brought in to compliment Monty Williams’ style.

Without an elite offensive point guard to run the offense like Steve Nash and with four new wings at his disposal, Gentry will seek more than ever to start through Anthony Davis’ capable hands. Ball movement, player movement and screens will become necessary for EVERY player, not just the big men of each unit.  That’s where players like Moore and Hill will make such a valuable difference.

Next: The Starters