While it was a partnership that didn’t last, Lonzo Ball was a nearly perfect point guard to run Alvin Gentry’s system in New Orleans. Gentry has long been known for a free-flowing up-tempo offense, two words to describe Ball’s playstyle.
Together this season, the Pelicans had a PACE of 103.89, the fourth-highest mark in the league. Ball flourished in Gentry’s offense, averaging a career-high in points, nearly matching his career-high in assists and finishing a career-best 37.5% from three.
Their time together will be a short-lived one, though, as Gentry was fired after the Pelicans flamed out of playoff contention inside the bubble in Orlando. Ball’s individual performance in the bubble did himself nor the team any favors, but Gentry’s confidence in his guard never wavered.
Gentry’s support of Ball, though, did not stop when his employment with New Orleans did. Most recently, Gentry offered his support of Ball on Instagram. On a recent Instagram post by the Pelicans showing pictures of Ball, Gentry commented to share his support.
“Keep up the grind. You’re on your way to greatness. Never doubt that!!!”
His account is private with only a few thousand followers, but those include Ball himself and Draymond Green. Because the account is private, his comment doesn’t show up under the Pelicans’ comments. The Bird Writes, though, was able to first report Gentry’s comments.
Even when Ball was struggling inside the bubble and taking some of his frustrations out on Twitter, Gentry consistently supported his point guard. Head coach or not, it appears Gentry’s support of Ball won’t be wavering anytime soon.
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