Golden State Warrios associate head coach Alvin Gentry  will leave the newly crowned Western Conference Champions this summer to join the New Orleans Pelicans in a head coaching capacity, as first reported by ESPN. 

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Gentry was hired Saturday, and though terms of the deal were not formally disclosed, Yahoo Sports! says he stands to receive a four-year contract worth US$13.7M. He will try to lead a young and gutsy Pelicans team that won 45 games and clinched the 8^th seed in this year's playoffs.

The future looks promising for the New Orleans squad. Headed by one of NBA's fastest rising stars, 22-year old forward Anthony Davis, the Pelicans will look to build a championship contending team with a 60-year old veteran coach at the helm.

According to Sports Illustrated, Gentry plans to install an offense that will push the pace of the game and always keep the team on attack mode. This aggressive style, analysts say, will create more space and offensive opportunities that will fully utilize the talent of Davis.

The 6'10" Davis was drafted by the Pelicans first overall in 2012. Since then, he has earned two all-star appearances, and quickly became one of the league's versatile bigs capable of attacking the lane, leading fastbreaks, blocking shots, and hauling double-figure rebounds on a nightly basis. With averages of 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks, his name was constantly mentioned in every MVP and Defensive Player of the Year discussion throughout the season.

For his part, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was pleased with the hiring of Gentry, who will be his deputy up until the end of their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also gave the blessing for his assistant to interview for the head coaching vacancy, even if it meant missing some practices leading to Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 4. According to Yahoo Sports!, the team is now looking at the possibility of adding former Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw to fill the soon-to-be vacated post.

Gentry has been a head coach with the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns. He has compiled a record of 355 wins and 370 losses in 12 seasons of being a team's head tactician.

TagsAlvin Gentry, NBA Coach, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Anthony Davis, Steve Kerr, cleveland cavaliers