New Orleans Pelicans: Damian Lillard endorses potential coaching candidate
Did Damian Lillard just pick the New Orleans Pelicans’ new head coach?
The New Orleans Pelicans fired head coach Alvin Gentry in August and then promptly disappeared.
Little has leaked from David Griffin’s camp since Gentry was let go, which has led to rampant speculation about who the next head coach will be.
Related Story. A long shot coaching choice that would help Zion Williamson. light
Tyronn Lue is the most recent name to surface, but otherwise, the Pelicans’ front office hasn’t said a thing.
There are still plenty of good coaches, but there are also still plenty of good available jobs, so the Pelicans may end up competing for the guy they want if they don’t act now.
Everyone has their favorite choice. Some like Wes Unseld Jr. from Denver, while others want an experienced offensive mind like Mike D’Antoni.
Even players from rival teams are chiming in, including Damian Lillard, who has his own ideas about who should get one of the head coaching openings:
https://twitter.com/Dame_Lillard/status/1313247340275232770
This isn’t the first time Lillard has endorsed David Vanterpool, who was a long time assistant for the Portland Trail Blazers and someone Lillard formed a tight bond with.
When Vanterpool left to take over as associate head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lillard spent all day giving a tribute on Twitter and credited Vanterpool with a lot of his improvement and success.
That’s a pretty strong endorsement from one of the NBA’s best and most respected players, so it’s something the Pelicans should definitely pay attention to.
Vanterpool is 47-years-old and considered a rising star in the coaching ranks, but is he a good fit on the New Orleans Pelicans?
Let’s take a look at his resume and how he fits with the Pels.