New Orleans Pelicans: It might be time for a coaching change in the Big Easy
By Chris Conner
The New Orleans Pelicans have been struggling since their second star was announced out for the season. A win Saturday against the Nets may have provided hope for some.
The New Orleans Pelicans are showing signs of everything that is wrong with them. From stretches of stagnant play to blowing a 28 point lead, NOLA continued to provide more reasons for concern. But this isn’t new, and it may be time to question the man in charge. A question that may not give an answer the more optimistic Pelicans fans want to hear.
Alvin Gentry represents New Orleans in every way you would like. From his accent to his hospitality, you can just assume he loves a good shrimp poboy and a strong daiquiri.
He’s a passionate man, a players coach, and is easily well liked throughout NBA circles. But he finds himself in one of the more unfortunate situations in the NBA.
Being a leader isn’t for everybody, it’s a tough task. No matter the surrounding events, a great leader is expected to pull through. For every viable excuse in losing, there’s an example of a winner in similar or worse circumstances.
The New Orleans Pelicans are the only team without adversity this season.
Look at Doc Rivers in Los Angeles who’s coming off an offseason of losing Chris Paul. The Clippers looked dead early on in the season after a good start. Injuries hit them, and they were handing out 10-day contracts like the New Orleans Pelicans trade 1st round picks.
If that doesn’t do it for you, they traded star Blake Griffin, and currently have a confused, outspoken DeAndre Jordan. Danilo Gallinari missed his share of games, so did Austin Rivers, and Patrick Beverly is out for the season.
Yet as we stand today, they’re in the thick of things in the Western Conference playoff race. No excuses thrown, they played hard and stayed strong. You can give some credit to the players, but Doc Rivers deserves more than his share of praise. No team has arguably had to overcome more than them.
They’re other examples as well from the Utah Jazz to the Miami Heat, and of course the San Antonio Spurs. That’s the tough thing about being a coach in professional sports. You’re expected to persevere. And unfortunately, so should Alvin Gentry.
The New Orleans Pelicans had their problems before Gentry was hired.
Unmotivated, injury prone, and questionable fits were present. After controversially firing former coach Monty Williams, everything was on Gentry’s shoulders. One could point that his seat was hot the minute he arrived back to his hometown.
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The Pelicans at that time had several talented former first-round picks and an impending all-world superstar in Anthony Davis. The pressure was there to win immediately, but with that amount of talent, it should be. The great coaches/players don’t always need a stable environment or a silver platter to win.
Now it’s not Gentry’s fault that some of the personnel decisions were put on his floor. Omer Asik, Alexis Ajinca, Solomon Hill, aren’t his doing. The injuries the Pelicans have had to endure even before his arrival hasn’t been easy or ideal.
The age-old debate in the NBA: Is it players or coaches?
If you choose to throw out excuses for previous seasons, be my guest. But he has currently run out of excuses to give. Losing DeMarcus Cousins is out of Gentry’s hands, but the team not playing hard is. The repeated third quarter turnouts, the lack of intensity, the blown leads, at some points to Gentry.
Not just because the players aren’t performing, but because they aren’t responding. After every meltdown, the same excuses and responses are spewed out. The Bird Writes’ David Grubb was kind enough to make a list.
Pelicans postgame bingo:
— David Grubb (@DMGrubb) February 6, 2018
1) That’s a good team over there
2) I thought we played hard
3) They made shots/tough shots
4) We missed shots we usually make
5) We have to figure out the 3rd quarter
6) It starts on defense
7) On to the next one
8) AD isn’t going to force it
The Pelicans simply have that look of a defeated team most nights. A team mourning a loss still, unconfident, and once again unmotivated. Cousins’ absence has taken a lot out of them. But that doesn’t hide them possessing the same issues that were present even when he was healthy.
I have to force myself to remember this was an inconsistent lazy team before Boogie went out. They played when they wanted to. Some of that is on leadership, some on coaching. It’s just ten times worse without Boogie’s talent and passion.
— Chris Conner (@Impatientbull) February 10, 2018
They decide as a team when they want to play. There’s not one person on the roster capable of holding another accountable. And the ones who should in Jrue Holiday and AD don’t seem to have the personality make up to do so consistently.
The New Orleans Pelicans can’t “flip the switch” without Boogie.
That leaves the responsibility solely on Alvin Gentry. You can clearly see he’s doing everything he can for this team. He’s red in the face during games, and seemingly depressed and baffled afterward. Those are the signs of a battered man.
A man who knows his message is wearing thin. A man who knows his screaming isn’t garnering the reaction it used to. The New Orleans Pelicans are going through quite the funk. But ask yourself, from a talent perspective alone, do they match up with or without Cousins?
Before their hot streak in January they underachieved. They were lazy, repetitive, and stubborn. With the two best big men in basketball, Jrue Holiday, and an underrated supporting cast, they should have been better. And with an added Nikola Mirotic today they’ve continued to acquire talent.
Should the New Orleans Pelicans look for a tougher coach?
Try to imagine Gregg Popovich or Brad Stevens coaching this team, hell even Quinn Snyder. The results are probably different. At worst the Pelicans may still be outplayed some games, but they wouldn’t be outhustled.
There’s not a single person in NOLA who wants to win more than Alvin Gentry. We understand the Pelicans’ organization is it’s own enemy sometimes. From ownership down, there’s a myriad of questions that hover over a franchise desperate to win.
Maybe we’re having a different conversation if Boogie doesn’t go down. But other franchises have their own problems and imperfections as well. Just like when an individual goes through their own trials and tribulations, life continues to go on.
Next: Can Rajon Rondo continue to thrive in NOLA
The NBA is still a win or loss league. NOLA may show good signs again, but if history stays true they’ll revert back to their old ways under Gentry. It’s starting to feel like if the Pelicans are to win consistently again this year, a drastic change may be needed. This time it may need to from be Mickey Loomis and Dell Demps