Alvin Gentry is nearing the end of what has almost certainly been his most trying season as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, and a brief exchange he had with reporters after Monday night’s game may have helped shed some light on that.
Following his team’s 115-112 road win over the Utah Jazz, Gentry began fumbling his words a bit while recapping some of the action. He then burst out laughing and asked the media to excuse him, as he had just “had a couple beers.”
Alvin Gentry post game: "Excuse me, I've had a couple of beers"
— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) March 5, 2019
The reporter who told Gentry “you earned it” probably said it best. The Pelicans had just won their third consecutive game on the road, so Gentry has found a way to avoid a complete disaster in a season where the franchise’s best player publicly demanded a trade. And, somehow, that isn’t all the drama Gentry has been forced to deal with.
New Orleans showed signs of promise after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs last year, but they look like they’re going to miss the postseason this year. Despite that, you could easily argue that Gentry has done enough to keep his job amid turmoil. That’s worth saying “cheers” to.
