Anthony Davis could enter 2015-16 as an even more terrifying player, as impossible as that may seem.
With affable but plodding head coach Monty Williams removed, there's palpable excitement around what the New Orleans Pelicans could look like next season. Golden State Warriors assistant Alvin Gentry was hired as Williams' replacement, and there are plenty of reasons to think the architect of the Warriors' offense will unleash Davis in exciting new ways.
Davis was close with Williams - it made his removal somewhat of a risk since the team wants to get Davis' signature on a contract extension this summer - but he seems as excited about his pairing with Gentry as observers are.
Asked about his new head coach, Davis had the following to say to Sports Illustrated:
I know he did a lot in Phoenix when he was with Amar'e [Stoudemire] and Steve Nash. I remember watching them play all the time and how they played that up-tempo pace. I'm very excited for what he can bring to our organization. I can't wait for the year to start and get rolling and see what he has to bring to our team to make us go to the next step.
...
That's something we'll have to sit down and talk about, figure out how he wants me to play, how I like to play and mix in the two. It's going to be interesting. I like what he did with Nash and Amar'e. Not saying we have a Nash or Amare, but the way he utilized that pick and roll, it was a great thing to watch. We'll definitely sit down and try to figure out how he wants me to play and try to go from there.
Davis has yet to speak to Gentry directly, as the coach looks to close out the NBA Finals with a Warriors championship. But they should have plenty to discuss when the time comes.
Gentry is a proponent of the spread pick-and-roll system, one in which Davis should conceivably thrive, especially if the Pelicans can add some shooting this summer. Davis' blend of shooting, passing, scoring ability, and ridiculous length and athleticism make him an impossible force on offense, and it's a shame that New Orleans ranked in the bottom-10 in pace in each of his three NBA seasons.
The tempo is likely to be pushed with Gentry at the helm, giving Davis more possessions in total and more opportunities early in the shot clock, and in far more creative manners.
The team needs to take strides defensively, too, and Gentry has already begun assembling what should be a strong staff. That's important for the team's overall success and Davis is an enormous asset in that regard, but it's Davis being unchained on offense that should have fans really excited.
