After a disappointing return to the NBA bubble where it seemed like the NBA created the play-in tournament for the playoffs for the sole purpose of getting Zion Williamson in front of more national audiences, the New Orleans Pelicans fired former head coach Alvin Gentry earlier this year and have now announced the signing of veteran head coach Stan Van Gundy. On his Twitter, Van Gundy wrote, “I’m excited to join a talented New Orleans Pelicans team. It will be an honor to work with our players and to work for Mrs. Benson and David Griffin, Trajan Langdon, their staff and the great people of New Orleans. I can’t wait to talk to our players and get the process started.”
Van Gundy is a respected veteran coach in the NBA, most famous for his late 2000’s Orlando Magic teams that featured a prime Dwight Howard, but has had less success in his last stint with the Detroit Pistons, which I don’t see as much of his fault since the Pistons haven’t had a good roster in a decade. Van Gundy might provide this talented Pelicans roster the leadership and defensive-minded presence that they need – he might be the perfect fit for this young team.
