Triple threat: Gentry wants more 3s from Davis
New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry has an area in which he see much growth potential for franchise cornerstone Anthony Davis: 3-point shooting.
Gentry, hired to replace Monty Williams on May 30, said on a Tuesday conference call that he has directed Davis to log heavy practice reps from beyond the arc during his time on the court this summer.
“That’s got to become a consistent shot for him,” Gentry said, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I don’t think he’s going to have any problem doing it. If you go back and look at his high school days, he was a very good 3-point shooter, but all of sudden, he decided to grow six or eight inches. He still has that range, but I don’t think it has been incorporated in the offense in college or the pros that he’s been in.”
The 6-foot-10 Davis attempted only 12 3-pointers last season — converting one — and has 27 attempts in his three-year career.
“We want him to shoot that shot,” Gentry said. “So I think you probably see him make more 3s than he’s made his entire career.”
Gentry also noted that he plans to design plays to capitalize on Davis’ increased shooting range next season.
Davis, who averaged 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and had a league-best 30.89 PER in 68 games, led the Pelicans to a 45-37 record and the first playoff berth of his career as the Western Conference’s 8-seed.
“He’s a building block for everyone, and we will try to run our offense through him,” Gentry said.
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