There’s a “belief around the NBA” that Suns assistant Willie Green is the frontrunner to become the Pelicans‘ next head coach, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Green and Bucks assistant Charles Lee are considered to be the top two candidates, and with both involved in the NBA Finals, New Orleans may have to wait until that series wraps up before announcing a decision.
Green, 39, had a 12-year playing career and spent the 2010/11 season with New Orleans. His variety of NBA experiences, which include playing alongside Allen Iverson in Philadelphia and winning two titles as a coach with the Warriors, appeal to the Pelicans’ front office.
Stan Van Gundy came to New Orleans with a solid reputation, but wasn’t able to connect with the players during his eight months as head coach. Clark states that the priority with the next hire will be to find someone who can be encouraging but still command respect from the young roster, particularly Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
There’s more on the Pelicans:
- Green’s combination of youth, success and playing experience might make him the best candidate for the job, per William Guillory of The Athletic. Green has a chance to win his third ring in the past five years, and he’s able to mix old-school coaching techniques with modern analytic theories, Guillory states.
- New Orleans is taking a risk by waiting so long to hire its next coach, writes Jacob Rude of Yahoo Sports. More than three weeks have passed since Van Gundy was dismissed, and for the second straight year a new head coach will have minimal impact on draft and free agency decisions. Rude also recounts the questionable roster decisions that have taken place since David Griffin was hired as president of basketball operations and notes that some positive news is needed soon to convince Williamson that the franchise can become a contender.
- Connecticut guard James Bouknight could be the answer to the Pelicans’ need for backcourt scoring if he’s still on the board at No. 10, Clark adds in a separate story. Bouknight averaged 18.7 points per game as a sophomore and is reportedly moving up draft boards. Clark observes that the 20-year-old is comfortable shooting from just about anywhere on the court and has the ability to finish through contact at the rim.
Bouknight is certainly comfortable shooting from just about anywhere, and apparently with his 30% success ratio on 3 pt shots. I just didn’t realize that comfort level with poor shooting is considered a premium skill.
green getting a 3rd ring in 5 years with his first year in new oleans? what are them odds right now? i’m not taking that bet.
His possible third ring in five years would be as an assistant at Phoenix. The odds of it happening currently look very good.
Not so much if Giannis has somethin’ to say/do with it, right Bob?
Less about Giannis – who has already performed outstanding – and more to do with what Kris and Jrue have to say/do about it I think Don.
I want Milwaukee to win but on current form Phoenix look to have their measure.
got it.ty. take the bet.
All coaches are under scrutiny except Kerr. I think he should be fired if they miss the playoffs next year. It’s easy to win so many chips when you got 4 all stars on your team. Let him coach Pistons or Magics and he won’t last a season. Same goes for Nash and Walton, they don’t deserve to keep their jobs. Gentry will do a better job as HC of the Kings.
SVG solid reputation you mean a one year run in Oralndo. He sucked in Miami. He destroyed Detroit.
Good decision. Some new blood for a top job
All this talk about teams getting a coach who can relate to basically, young black men, presumably, once one gets past the coding… does Not mean anything specifically. How does that work?
Willie Green may be able deal with that expectation, probably successfully, possibly with methods/ideas that can be pointed to. I suspect traditional in the end. Just my impression from interviews.