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New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry is apologized for cursing in the NBA lottery hall Tuesday night. But it was for a good reason.
Gentry learned that the Pelicans had earned the right to recruit the Duke Zion Williamson sensation, while the team only had a 6% chance of clinching the top pick.
"They started calling the numbers, we obviously got that seed, and I try to go through it and find our numbers," Gentry said afterwards. "I find the first number, then the second number, then the third, and I say," Oh s — ".
"The fourth comes in, I try to look at all our combinations, then they say," The winner is the pelicans of New Orleans. "And I said:" F — yeah! "And then I said," Excuse me, I'm sorry. "
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Williamson, averaging 21.8 points and 8.8 rebounds as a rookie for Duke last season, sat in the front row when the draw was held in Chicago.
The 2019 basketball player from the Associated Press College, Williamson, hoped to be selected by the New York Knicks, said a source at The Undefeated, of ESPN. The last four picks in the preliminary lottery were won by Pelicans, Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies. After announcing that the pelicans had won the first choice, Williamson left the room without reacting verbally.
Gentry and the new Executive Vice President of the Pelicans, David Griffin, were delighted. The two are hoping that Williamson's landing could convince striker Anthony Davis to cancel a commercial demand and play with young goalkeeper and goalkeeper Jrue Holiday in New Orleans.
"Guys, the only thing you need to understand is, [Davis] is still on our list, "said Gentry. He is on our list. All this will take care of yourself. I do not worry about that. I know that Griff intends to talk to him and everything will be fine. "
Griffin said: "I hope we will build something that attracts elite players – I want people to want to be part of it, maybe it speeds up the process." elite like to play with elite talent. "
During a conference call with local journalists, asked him if he needed a "King's ransom" to be able to exchange Davis, Griffin replied: "From my point of view, I want Anthony Davis to want this that we do, be part of that, and I'm not focused on anything other than: "Let's improve tomorrow." If Anthony wants to participate, it's fantastic. he does not do it, we will settle it when it is convenient. "
State goalie Murray, Ja Morant, should also be second in the standings. The Grizzlies clinched the second choice overall.
"I really did not have any [emotions], "Morant told The Undefeated." I was really excited to see everything that was happening with the way it happened. I'm not disappointed They still have the same player who will continue to work as I did before …
"I'm just playing my game." I'm just going to try to make an impact. [basketball] I think I can play games for myself and my teammates. "
Mike Triplett of ESPN contributed to this report.
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