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 leagueโs first woman head coach.
4.
Former Brooklyn Head Coach Kenny Atkinson –ย 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 Clevelandโs head coach during the organizationโs 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
Pelicans Lose 133-127 To Orlando In Season Finale