The New Orleans Pelicans could make a coaching change according to sources.
New Orleans Pelicans’ VP of basketball operations David Griffin claimed that he would not use the bubble to make personnel decisions.
Griffin has stood by his coach Alvin Gentry, even after a 6-22 start when many were calling for his head.
It seems fair that Griffin would not use a small eight-game sample to make important decisions, but it also seems unlikely.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ effort in the bubble has been less than ideal, they’ve not been prepared to play, and if they don’t end up making the playoffs, someone is probably going to pay.
That person may be Alvin Gentry, according to a recent report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi, who claimed Jason Kidd or Ty Lue would be under consideration for Gentry’s job after the season.
This is an interesting turn, as Gentry went from having some job security, to coaching for his NBA life.
The New Orleans Pelicans may have to move on from Alvin Gentry.
Gentry has certainly done some good things with the Pelicans.
This season has been a nightmare, from Zion Williamson‘s early injury and eventual return, to the season being shut down due to a global pandemic.
Gentry kept his team from completely folding, which would have been easy once they got out to such a bad start.
He coached the Pelicans through a lot of adversity, and in the end, they have a chance to make the playoffs a year ahead of schedule, and some of the credit has to go to Gentry.
But things have changed in the bubble.
The New Orleans Pelicans have looked unprepared in every game so far, have gotten behind early, and have played worse defense than any other team in Orlando.
Their rotations have been baffling at times, momentum has been killed by untimely substitutions and the role players have been largely unsuccessful.
Not all of this is on Gentry, but Griffin can’t be happy about what he’s seen from his young team in the restart.
Some of this is on Griffin, as the roster is imbalanced with guards, has no wing defenders or rim protectors, which has become evident.
Gentry is 175-222 as the coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, hardly anything to get excited about, especially considering he’s had some talent to work with in that time.
Time may be something that Gentry is running out of, as the vultures are circling after the Pelicans’ lackluster performance in Orlando.
Will Gentry survive? He may be coaching for his NBA life today.