Renee Sutton The Who Dat Daily.Com/Pelicans Contributor

New Orleans,LA – The New Orleans Pelicans fired Head Coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday after five seasons with the team. Gentry, whose record with the team was a underwhelming 175-225 and had one winning year with a playoff berth. The Pelicans VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin thanked Gentry and said via press conference “The team will take its time looking for a coach.”

I thought this firing was absolutely late and should have been made after the teams 13 game losing streak occurred. New Orleans held on to Gentry longer than it should have and now as to find the correct hire to guide the team ahead. Here’s a list of really good coaching candidates that should inspire the team to success:

5. Spurs Assistant Coach Becky Hammon – the former WNBA star, has been an assistant on the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich since 2014. She became the first female to interview for a head coaching position in the NBA when she did so with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018 and would be the league’s first woman head coach.

4. Former Brooklyn Head Coach Kenny Atkinson –  Atkinson was 118-190 in three-plus seasons as Nets coach Mutually parted ways with organization, notable reputation as player development coach during stints as an assistant in Atlanta and New York

3. Clippers Assistant Coach Tyrone Lue – Lue was Cleveland’s head coach during the organization’s championship-winning season in 2016 and compiled a overall record of 128-83. He also has a relationship with VP David Griffin from their time in Cleveland.

2. Lakers Assistant Coach Jason Kidd – Kidd compiled a record of 183-190 in his five year coaching career with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. He is seen as someone that can fix a lot of the leadership and defensive issues the team is dealing with. I really feel that the Lakers will retain Kidd as Coach Frank Vogel is just a place holder.

1. Former Golden St Warrior Head Coach & Pro Basketball Commenter Mark Jackson – In three seasons, Jackson compiled a 121-109 record and twice guided Golden State to the postseason. The Warriors’ 2013 first-round victory over the Nuggets marked just the second time the franchise has advanced in the playoffs since 1991. The question is wether Jackson who has a strong personality can coexist with VP Griffin who seems to be a little to hands on. It been six full years since Mark Jackson coached an NBA game, but a recent appearance on ESPN’s First Take confirmed he still wants to coach.

I also think coaches like: former Knicks coach David Fisdale, former Sacramento & Memphis coach Dave Joerger, G League coach Jerry Stackhouse, Michigan Wolverine head coach Juwan Howard, commentator Jeff Van Gundy and Magic ast Pat Delany.

Alvin Gentry Fired As Pelicans Coach

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