Kobe Bryant

Jim Eichenhofer

LOS ANGELES – Athletes are frequently praised for their incredible competitive feats or the toughness they show on a basketball court, but that pales in comparison to the strength Alvin Gentry witnessed inside an NBA arena on Monday.

New Orleans’ fifth-year head coach – who joined Pelicans staff members Monday in attending a memorial service at Staples Center for Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant – was deeply impacted by the message from Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife. Gentry compared Vanessa’s words to that of a February 2016 eulogy given by Gentry’s New Orleans predecessor, Monty Williams, at a funeral for Williams’ wife Ingrid.

“I thought it was the most amazing thing I’ve been to in a long, long time,” Gentry said. “To me, what Vanessa did, I don’t know if words could ever explain it. To be up there and have that kind of poise, and the way she spoke about Kobe and Gigi, I thought it was truly amazing. The only (speaker) I’ve seen even close to that is what Monty Williams did at the memorial for his wife. I’m not sure there are a whole lot of people who could do that with the poise and speak so great about the two people she loved dearly.”

Based on the Pelicans’ schedule, Gentry was already in Los Angeles late Sunday night after his team defeated Golden State in the early evening.

“It was an amazing thing to be a part of, for us to be here and for us to be able to go to it,” Gentry said of the coincidence.

Gentry was a head coach or assistant coach throughout Bryant’s 20-year NBA career, competing against him countless times. In 2010, Gentry led Phoenix to the Western Conference finals, where the Suns lost a hard-fought series 4-2 to the Lakers and Bryant, who averaged 33.7 points in the six games. Gentry most remembers Bryant for his extraordinary competitiveness, which led to Bryant becoming one of the greatest players in NBA history.

“There was never anything that he didn’t think he could get done,” Gentry said. “He knew the only way to get it done was through hard work – he never took a shortcut in his life. That’s the one thing I admire (most). Everything he accomplished, he did it through hard work. He outworked anybody there.”

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Alvin Gentry: Memorial service for Kobe, Gianna Bryant ‘amazing to be a part of’

1)      New Orleans (19-29) had a somewhat rare full day off Wednesday from practice, travel or a game, but the team is back practicing this morning at the Ochshner Sports Performance Center. Visit Pelicans.com for post-practice interviews.

2)      All-Star reserves will be announced tonight during TNT’s 6 p.m. Central pregame show, leading up to the network’s Thursday doubleheader.

3)      Jahlil Okafor joined other NBA players in honoring Kobe Bryant, by changing his uniform number. Okafor will now wear No. 9.

4)      On radio, “Pelicans Weekly” will air at 6 p.m. on ESPN New Orleans 100.3 FM. Trajan Langdon will be the guest on Thursday's show, with the first half of the interview airing tonight and the second portion included on Friday's Pelicans Podcast.

5)      New Orleans is in 12th place in the Western Conference, five games behind eighth-place Memphis (24-24), winners of four straight games. That makes Friday’s Southwest Division matchup particularly key for the Pelicans. Tickets are available here to tomorrow night’s game in the Smoothie King Center.

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Five things to know about the Pelicans on Jan. 30, 2020

nophvalier

Postgame wrap: Pelicans 125, Cavaliers 111

CLEVELAND – Jrue Holiday dominated at both ends of the floor, Brandon Ingram returned to the scoring groove he’s been in virtually all season and New Orleans continued to roll away from home, this time with the No. 1 pick in a road uniform for the first time.

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If Tuesday was Brandon Ingram’s final chance to state his All-Star case, he made a strong closing argument. Two days before All-Star reserves are announced, Ingram scored 24 points in a 125-111 win over the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

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Jrue Holiday leads Pelicans in win vs. Cavs; Zion Williamson has nine rebounds

CLEVELAND -- New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson received a warm welcome in his first NBA regular-season road game Tuesday night as his team took on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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CLEVELAND — Each and every day of Zion Williamson’s NBA playing career, so all seven of them, the Pelicans have fed him stacks of numbers.

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CLEVELAND -- Zion Williamson's NBA road debut didn't have much flash or any fireworks. It wasn't a show, and that was just fine with the hyped rookie.

Jahlil Okafor joins other NBA players in giving up No. 8 jersey, honoring legacy of Kobe Bryant

CLEVELAND – At least two NBA players announced Tuesday that they’ll no longer wear uniform No. 8, as a tribute to Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant, who died tragically in a helicopter accident Sunday in California and wore that digit (along with 24) during his 20-year Los Angeles Lakers career. Brooklyn guard Spencer Dinwiddie exchanged his No. 8 for No. 26, while Orlando reserve wing Terrence Ross will now sport jersey 31 for the Magic.

Report: Jahlil Okafor to change jersey number to honor Kobe Bryant

Jahlil Okafor is reportedly part of the wave of NBA players who are changing their jersey numbers to honor the late Kobe Bryant. The Pelicans center wears No. 8 but plans to switch his number soon, according to ESPN's Andrew Lopez

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Pelicans News Around the Web (1-29-2020)

Pelicans Injury Report for Cleveland Cavaliers game

The New Orleans Pelicans' Injury Report for Tuesday's game at the Cleveland Cavaliers has just two players on it.

Walker: Zion Mania hits road for first time as Pelicans take on Cleveland Cavaliers

Zion Williamson never got a chance to meet Kobe Bryant.

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The Celtics were lucky enough to catch a front-row seat for one of the first official screenings of the Zion show.

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In his first game against the Lakers at Staples Center, Jrue Holiday made the mistake of biting on one of Kobe Bryant’s pump fakes. It was hard to fault Holiday. He was a wide-eyed 19-year-old, and Bryant, at the height of his powers in February 2010, had a bag of tricks that could stretch across the California coastline when all the way unfurled.

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Pelicans News Around the Web (1-28-2020)

1)      On a tragic day in the NBA, New Orleans players – including three former members of the Lakers and two natives of the Los Angeles area – paid tribute to Kobe Bryant and spoke about his impact after Sunday’s game.

2)      Watch postgame reaction from Alvin Gentry, Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday and Brandon Ingram.

3)      On Fox Sports New Orleans TV, Holiday spoke about what Bryant meant to him and the basketball world, as did Pelicans broadcasters Joel Meyers and Antonio Daniels.

4)      New Orleans (18-29) defeated Boston 123-108, before heading out a road trip to Cleveland today. The Pelicans will return home for a Friday matchup vs. Memphis, the team currently in eighth place in the Western Conference.

5)      Week 15 of the NBA schedule consists of just three games for New Orleans, including two meetings with squads currently in playoff position. After a Tuesday game in Ohio against the Cavaliers, the Pels host Memphis and are at Houston on Super Bowl Sunday. The game at the Rockets will be on ABC nationally.

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Five things to know about the Pelicans on Jan. 27, 2020

Williamson has double-double, Pelicans top Celtics 123-108

NEW ORLEANS -- Zion Williamson had 21 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Boston Celtics 123-108 on Sunday for their first victory since the rookie star joined the lineup.

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NEW ORLEANS -- For the first time since he made his NBA debut, New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was on the floor when the final buzzer sounded inside the Smoothie King Center on Sunday night.

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Kobe Bryant had more mileage on his body than almost any other player in NBA history when he played in New Orleans for the final time. The Lakers legend was sixth all-time in minutes on April 8, 2016 — his last game at Smoothie King Center.

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Immediately after tipoff, Lonzo Ball held the basketball near midcourt and didn't let it go. The 22-year-old California kid, whose formative years occurred when Kobe Bryant was leading the Los Angeles Lakers to championships, was paying tribute to a fallen idol.

Walker: Kobe Bryant wanted 'to create something that stands the test of time'; he did just that

Alvin Gentry may as well have been speaking for all of us.

‘He was my generation’s Michael Jordan’: What Kobe Bryant meant to the Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS — Brandon Ingram was just a kid in Kinston, N.C., who idolized Kobe Bryant in his prime as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Teams take 24-second shot clock violations in Kobe Bryant's honor

Grief-stricken players and teams around the NBA paid their respects to Kobe Bryant on Sunday in myriad ways as the stunning news of the former Lakers great's death shook the league.

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Pelicans News Around the Web (1-27-2020)

Pelicans.com

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Pelicans vs. Celtics Fans and Entertainment Photos | 2019-20 Game 47

On how difficult it was for both teams to be out there tonight:
"I think it’s extremely hard. You know, you just realize that what we do is just not very important really. When you think in the grand scheme of things in life…you know, we had a guy that’s lost his life along with his daughter that meant the world to everybody really. Everybody here he’s affected in some way, and it’s just really tough. You would normally be really excited about a win like this. You know, you beat a really good basketball team and a team that beat you by 35 a week and a half ago. And it’s just not there, really. To be honest with you, it’s just not there. I don’t know how you’re supposed to handle it. I mean obviously we’re happy we won the game, but the first thing I thought about when we walked through the door was him and his [daughter]. Then you think about Vanessa (Bryant) what she must be going through. It’s just a real, real hard day for everybody I think. Seeing guys on the scene and social media things…it’s affecting everybody…not just this country, but around the world really."

On his assessment of Zion Williamson’s adaptation three games into his NBA career:
"I think he’s fine. There’s obviously a huge area of improvement that’s going to be made. You know, he’s played three NBA games now, and what he’s done he’s just done on raw talent really. He’ll get the feel of what we’re trying to do, and playing in a certain amount of space and how we can give him the ball and things like that. He’s going to be a welcome addition. He’s going to be a guy that we can finish the game with."

On being able to be on the floor to close the game:
"I was very anxious, but it was tough watching from the sideline in the fourth quarter in the last two games. But it was good to finally get out there and it was good to get my first win."

On what Kobe Bryant meant to him:
"Kobe meant a lot to me growing up. I had both jerseys, 8 and 24, growing up. I feel like I studied his footwork game because I respected his. I think its top two of all time. But, I mean, its tough man. I was on the way to arena when I got the news. I just send my prayers to his family. You just hate to see what happened to him and his daughter. You just hope the world will give the Bryant family all the support they need."

On how it felt playing under the circumstances:
"At first it was a little difficult. I couldn’t focus at first. One of the greatest taken away from us too soon, but his impact will forever be a part of this game. He’s a legend. Legends never die, so he will forever be remembered."

On hearing the news about Kobe Bryant and the impact it had on today:
"It was a hard day. I heard as I was walking into the arena. Again, from me being from LA, growing up and watching him. Being a Lakers fan growing up. Just what he did for the culture of basketball for so many years, and not only that, but for the world. It’s a sad day. I guess in my heart, Kobe would want us to beat the Celtics, so that was a good win. Man, just so much prayer to him and his family…just that they find peace in the situation. I couldn’t imagine."

On Zion Williamson getting more minutes and finishing the game:
"He’s contributing. He’s playing his game. You could tell, especially tonight, that he was a lot more comfortable, which was great. Being there in crunch time, I wish he could have done that from game one. Really to have that experience. Everything is a process. For him, hopefully he feels like he is doing what he wants to do and going where he wants to go, and he is fitting well into the rotations. Believe me, I know it is hard to play with minute restrictions. So, for him to feel comfortable…he looks pretty good."

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2019-20 Game 47: Pelicans vs. Celtics Postgame Quotes 1-26-20

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