Davis was held back, according to Pelicans' hire Alvin Gentry

Marcio Jose Sanchez | AP

The Pelicans have officially hired Warriors assistant Alvin Gentry as their new head coach, replacing 5-year coach Monty Williams after his firing earlier this month.

Gentry seems to have one thing on his mind in his start as a head coach: re-signing Anthony Davis. Gentry said he wants to significantly pick up the tempo the team has been set at and create a fast and loose system which would utilize Davis’ his amazing athleticism and finishing ability.

The Pelicans and Davis are still working out a contract, but it is said New Orleans offered the former Cat a max deal. With the new hire, it seems it would be hard to pass up, especially since Davis will likely be given free reign.

Sports Illustrated loves the hire and said it is the hire New Orleans needed to keep Davis as a franchise player.

His arrival promises a new era in which New Orleans’ guards are encouraged to push the pace and Davis is called on to open and close transition opportunities by running the court. Look for the Pelicans to regularly use him as a center, structuring spread lineups around him to create space for pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll. When New Orleans does play big, Davis will likely be given free reign to create from the elbow, and it wouldn’t be that shocking if he started to work the corner three into his offensive repertoire either.

Read the entire hire breakdown and what it means for Davis here.

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