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04/26/2024 12:11:49 am

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NBA News & Rumors: Pelicans' Starting Center Spot Open, Alvin Gentry Still Undecided

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry

(Photo : Getty Images) New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry is still undecided who between Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca will be the team’s starting center in the upcoming season.

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry is reportedly still undecided who between Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca will be the team's starting center in the upcoming season, the latest news and rumors suggested.

In six games this preseason, Gentry has started Asik four times, while Ajinca twice, and both have produced decent numbers as interior support for main man Anthony Davis.

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ESPN reported that "there is a chance the pair will split the role though out the season," as Gentry is satisfied with each player's efficiency during games.

"I think it's always good, and both of those guys are going to play," said Gentry, via The Times-Picayune. "There's going to be situations where one plays a lot one night, and then the next night, the other may play more minutes - depending on the type of team we're playing and what we're looking (for)."

Asik struggled last season, averaging only 4.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.3 shot blocks in only 17.3 minutes of playing time per game, despite signing a new contract worth $58 million in five years. The Turkish big man had dedicated to improving himself this summer and the results were showing in the ongoing preseason games.

"My whole focus this summer was to get better," Asik said. "I'm much better on defense than last year so that's what I'm trying to do."

"I'm trying to help on offense, too, in setting picks and help making guys get open and get offensive rebounds," he added.

Meanwhile, Ajinca played even lesser minutes than Asik in 2015-2016, but produced more with averages of 6.0 points, 4.6 boards and 0.6 blocks in 14.6 minutes.

"It's helped us in pushing each other," said Ajinca on his internal rivalry with Asik. "I guess even if I don't end up with the starting spot or he doesn't end up with it, we help each other to get better. It's a win-win in my opinion. It doesn't mean that we are not still friends."

Asik has been the Pelican's top rebounder in the preseason with 7.5 per game, while Ajinca is averaging 5.3 boards.

Ajinca is slightly the better scorer, however, with 6.7 points a contest, while Asik scores 6.5.

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