Alvin Gentry vowed to alter his starting five after Wednesday’s disappointing home defeat vs. an undermanned Dallas team. Two days later, the first-year New Orleans head coach followed through on that intention, changing the forward spot next to Anthony Davis in the Pelicans’ frontcourt.
Roughly 90 minutes before tip-off of Friday’s home game against Indiana, Gentry told the media that Dante Cunningham will take over at small forward, replacing Alonzo Gee. Gentry stressed that the move is not an indication that he is blaming Gee – a starter over each of the past 26 games – for the team’s recent play or inconsistency.