The suspense is now over as to who the next head coach is for the New Orleans Pelicans. Alvin Gentry has been picked to succeed Monty Williams at the helm, a surprise pick to many considering the big name head coaches available in the market.
Prior to the announcement, leading the pack of candidates for the head coaching vacancy included Jeff Van Gundy, Vinny Del Negro and Tom Thibodeau.
Apparently, the Pelicans were looking for something more than people who knew the game and went for one who could help develop and guide the franchise star player to greater heights. That player is of course no other than Anthony Davis, someone who has shown a lot of promise and stands to be among the NBA greats in the future.
Alvin Gentry currently serves as one of Golden State Warriors top assistant coaches to Steve Kerr. Gentry will leave the Warriors' fold after the NBA Finals and head over to New Orleans.
With regards to the details of his contract, Gentry will be getting a four-year deal worth $13.75 million. The package will also include a team option in the final season worth around $4 million.
In Gentry, the Pelicans will be acquiring a coach who has had previous experience in the league. Gentry had coaching stints with the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns, holding an overall coaching record of 335-370.
Prior to the announcement, Gentry did say before that it would take a special case to lure him out of Golden State, seemingly happy working with Kerr, Stephen Curry and company.
But as fate would have it, the special case did pop up and he goes by the name of Anthony Davis, a budding forward who caught the eye of many after figuring in the MVP race after only three seasons in the NBA.
