David Griffin To Keep Gentry As Pelicans Coach, Hopes AD Remains

David Griffin was announced as the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations today for the New Orleans Pelicans, speaking candidly about his relationship with coach Alvin Gentry and his hope for Anthony Davis' future with the franchise.

"I'm humbled and honored to represent this franchise and this amazing fan base," said Griffin when he stepped up to the podium. "One of the big factors in this decision for me is the presence of our head coach Alvin Gentry. I've known Alvin since I had a full head of hair and he could still dunk on his birthday."

Griffin, 45, was Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns when Alvin Gentry led the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2010.

"(Our) history is only meaningful in that it enables us to challenge one another," Griffin said of his relationship with Gentry. "My leadership style is to build a family, a family that loves each other enough to tell each other what they need to hear. Alvin and I can do that for each other."

Griffin joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as Vice President of Basketball Operations in 2010 (following the Suns trip to the Western Conference Finals), and worked with LeBron James, as well as James' friend and agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.

Klutch Sports represents Anthony Davis, who unsuccessfully tried to force a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers (whom James' plays for) several months ago.

"Rich Paul and I have spoken together about Anthony (Davis)," Griffin said. "I have plans to sit down with them both....Rich Paul and I were part of succeeding in the manner they can understand, and they'll understand when I say this, you are either all the way in, or all the way out, and there is no in between."

It would behoove Griffin to speak any other way of Davis. On the likelihood Davis still wants to be traded (and I fully expect him to be), Griffin is hoping to gain leverage in trade negotiations with his comment today, no matter how minimal the impact could be.

Here's a video of today's entire introductory press conference.