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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged Thursday that top assistant Alvin Gentry interviewed for the vacant New Orleans Pelicans' job.
Kerr's comments came before the Warriors hosted the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. He said Gentry met with Pelicans officials earlier this week, but the interview process hasn't taken Gentry away from his current coaching duties with the Warriors.
"He's fine. He's not missing any work," Kerr said. "As long as it comes on an off day, I'm fine with it."
The Pelicans fired Monty Williams shortly after getting swept by the Warriors in the first round. Williams had coached New Orleans the past five seasons.
Kerr, who was surprised by Williams' dismissal, has been following the news like everybody else. He found at least one report quite comical.
"I saw the report today that there's more interest between New Orleans and Alvin, and then there was a picture of Lindsey Hunter," Kerr said, laughing. "So I don't know, maybe Lindsey is involved in the search, too, and there's a picture of Alvin on his story. I don't know, it's all good stuff. I want every member of our staff to embrace any opportunities that come their way regardless of what they are, and as long as it doesn't interfere with our game planning, which it hasn't.
Kerr hired Gentry as his associate head coach and offensive coordinator when the Warriors hired him last May. Gentry was previously the head coach for Phoenix, where Kerr had been the general manager.
Gentry also had been a head coach with the Los Angeles Clippers (2000-03), Detroit (1997-2000) and Miami (1994-95). He served as Doc Rivers' top assistant with the Clippers last season.
Gentry's is 335-370 as a head coach. His most successful tenure came in Phoenix, where he went 158-144 in five seasons. He took the Suns to the 2010 Western Conference finals, where they lost to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Kerr said he hasn't thought about who would replace Gentry if he left.
"Not right now," Kerr said. "Plenty of time for that. We got other things to deal with."
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