New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry’s status had been in question for the restart of the NBA season due to age concerns related to the coronavirus, but the veteran coach was on the team plane and will be present in the NBA bubble in Orlando.
Gentry, who has coached New Orleans since 2015, arrived at the team’s flight to Orlando on Wednesday afternoon and joked with the cameramen as he boarded the plane.
The 65-year-old North Carolina native, who previously coached the Phoenix Suns, had been considered a possible high-risk coach who could be particularly adversely affected by a potential exposure while in Orlando.
However, after undergoing an exhaustive medical exam and several tests, doctors gave the veteran coach the okay to go ahead along with his team to Orlando for the resumption of the league.
The Pelicans, who are currently 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, are not considered a potential title contender but will at least have the opportunity to impress with some of the league’s best young players.
Fortunately for the team, they will be accompanied by their veteran coach, who will look to inspire his team to a surprise playoff berth.
