Anthony Davis is ready to run.
And while the pace and offensive influence is the most dazzling piece of Gentry’s high-gear system, Davis said he’s also put an added emphasis on the other end of the floor. In his fourth NBA offseason, Davis is working on his agility, as well as his conditioning, putting in a special focus on defense, thanks to his budding relationship with assistant coach Darren Erman.
“I think Coach Erman is one of the best in the league, if not the best, at defense,” Davis said. “Every day when I’m on the floor, I work on 15 to 20 minutes on defense. So I’m working on everything.”
Davis also said the roster fits the breakneck speed Gentry wants the Pelicans to play at, mentioning the team’s versatility at guard, along with the variety of shooters available on the wings. Davis compared his role to new Draymond Green’s in Golden State, claiming he’ll be responsible for immediately pushing the ball up the floor following defensive rebounds.
“There’s a lot we can do with our team. I think we have a little bit of everything, because we have guys who can score and guys who shoot and handle the ball.”
Fond farewell
While the anticipation of playing for Gentry is palpable, Davis also had many kind words for his former coach, Monty Williams.
The Pelicans fired Williams on May 12, despite improving the Pelicans’ winning percentage each of the past four seasons. While Davis said he respects Williams, he also understands the business of the NBA and that decisions like this happen.
“So when it happened, he called me and said ‘don’t worry about me, I’m going to be fine. You need to go out and be great.’ So that right there shows what kind of guy he is. He never talked bad or down about the organization.”
On June 2, Williams signed on with the Oklahoma City Thunder as the top assistant on coach Billy Donovan’s staff.
Davis Perk-ed up
Last week, when the Pelicans signed 12-year center Kendrick Perkins to a one-year contract it left some fans scratching their heads.
During his teleconference with reporters on Monday morning, Davis made some unprompted remarks about Perkins and how meaningful his addition was New Orleans entering the 2015-16 campaign.
“I think adding Kendrick Perkins is going to help us a lot, being that veteran leader,” Davis said. “He’s seen the best games played with the best players and played on some of the best teams, and played with hall of famers. He’s seen so much, and he will be able to help, even me, out and a for lot of guys on the team it’s going to be vital. It was a great pick up for us.”
Keeping Cole
The last piece of the Pelicans’ roster not yet in place is at backup point guard, where the team has a $3 million qualifying offer extended to restricted free agent Norris Cole.
General manager Dell Demps has the option of matching any potential deal Cole can get on the open market, or Cole can choose to sign the one-year qualifying offer before an Oct. 1 deadline.
The Pelicans finished the regular season 18-11 after trading for Cole at the deadline, and Davis didn’t hide the fact he wanted the fifth-year guard back on the team when asked if they’ve kept in touch this offseason.
“We definitely hope he comes back because he was a huge spark for us,” Davis said. “He did a wonderful job for us in the playoffs. When we brought him in with Dante (Cunningham) and Quincy (Pondexter), we definitely went to another level defensively. He brought a lot to the table for us.”
Via – Scott Kushner, The Advocate