DeMarcus Cousins enjoyed arguably the best season of his career last year with the New Orleans Pelicans and head coach Alvin Gentry is a big reason why.

The All-Star clashed with many of his former coaches during his time with the Sacramento Kings and was ultimately traded due to his temperament both on and off the court.

But unlike many of his peers, Gentry developed a strong relationship with the big man and got the best out of him.

Cousins knuckled down and focused on his basketball in New Orleans and was not a disruption to the team like many claimed he was in Sacramento.

He played a major role in helping the Pelicans make it to the playoffs and was establishing himself as the best center in the league.

But Boogie's season came to a cruel end in January when he suffered a torn Achilles injury.

With the 27-year-old unlikely to recover before the New Year, the Pels chose not to re-sign him in free agency this summer.

Fell on their lap

With no offers coming his way, Cousins asked his agent to reach out to the Golden State Warriors to express an interest in signing with them.

As the dominant big was willing to accept a minimum contract, the defending champions couldn't pass up an opportunity to sign him and landed him on a one-year, $5.3 million deal.

After concluding the deal, head coach Steve Kerr immediately contacted Gentry to get advice on how to coach his new star.

Gentry spent a season as an assistant to Kerr in 2014-15 and was more than willing to share his wisdom.

"I just said you have to be straight up with him. I enjoyed coaching DeMarcus," he told the Mercury News.

"I think he is a talent and I think he wants to win. I think that if you got those two things right there, you have an opportunity to have some success.

"We had success with him. I wish him nothing but the best."

Unlike their rivals, the Warriors can afford to wait and allow Cousins all the time he needs to get back healthy as they clearly don't have a shortage of talent on their roster.

The move makes perfect sense for both parties.

The All-NBA man will compete for a championship with the best team in the league and if he proves his health, he'll hit free agency again next summer and potentially receive the max contract he wants.

For the Dubs, they get a fifth All-Star to complete their lineup at such a small salary and little risk.

General manager Bob Myers has already stated that their goal is to have him ready for the playoffs.

If he's back and playing at his usual level in time for the postseason, it'll be a scary prospect for the rest of the league.

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