ATLANTA – A few hours before tip-off Monday, Alvin Gentry promised that no matter how well – or how poorly – his team played in its preseason opener, he would not get overly pleased or displeased. The fifth-year New Orleans head coach and longtime NBA sideline boss mostly stuck to that vow following a 133-109 win over Atlanta, but it may not have always been easy. The Pelicans looked superb in their first opportunity to play together, despite a roster that has 14 new players among the 19 currently in uniform.
“There were some things we did extremely well, other things we have to spend time working on,” Gentry said.