The Case for Willie Green

Ethen Meyers • July 7, 2021

What about Willie?
        If awards matter, don’t look too far into Green’s history, but if winning does then look no further. I have heard the phrase “Murphy follows me” in regards to someone of course referring to Murphy’s Law. If having bad luck and bad things happening then I think any fan of any sports team can relate especially in New Orleans. Recent memories coming to mind is a miracle I choose to not acknowledge by its media-given name and before that the blunder of a no-call the previous year. What about the Pelicans? Similar to the Saints, the bad news following seems to come like the Zephry at Jazzland, A LOT of ups and downs, and frankly a really rough ride all ignored because it is(or hopefully will be) a fun ride in the end.


        If you are unfamiliar, here is a quick timeline of recent history: The first-round sweep of a solid Blazer team, Anthony Davis forced a trade, a whole new front office, winning the lottery and drafting the most exciting player since Lebron James in Zion Williamson, Zion getting hurt and missing nearly all of the season, to Covid and coaching changes causing very little prep time to where we are now. Coachless, disgruntled, and hungry.

 

Hungry for what?

        The search for the start of something great begins here, and it appears that great has attached itself to Willie Green from his very first year coaching. Just a year before the Pelican wooden coaster ride began Willie Green showed up in Golden State as an assistant coach just one year removed from being a player in 2016. While the Warriors were well on their way to forming the dynasty that won 3 titles in 4 years they were able to win two with Willie Green on the coaching staff and while he may have been overlooked for other coaches on the staff like Alvin Gentry and Luke Walton he comes from not just winning, but winning it all.


        After his second NBA Champion status in 2018, he moved on to take on a bigger role with the Phoenix Suns in 2019. The season to follow became one the league would never forget but ended with a Phoenix Suns team that put the league on notice with the undefeated bubble run. Unfortunately, that left them with nothing but hunger.. which is exactly what I think this young, disappointed team needs. It has been made clear both stars in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson hate losing, so why not bring in a coach who knows exactly what it is like to be left hungry after being used to winning, and return a year later to the finals.

 

But what about the Xs and Os?
        I thought you’d never ask. Let’s not discredit anything the New Orleans favorite Chris Paul has done there, he is a floor general that has zero quit, and all the grit. So that is where I want to bring in the focus of what they are doing in Phoenix, and why it can work in New Orleans. The copycat league that attempted to duplicate the Golden State Warrior’s success to little success has seen two teams with more traditional roles wind up being the last two teams for a single trophy. I won’t admit to watching a lot of Phoenix basketball before the playoffs, but once the playoffs started they were all I wanted to see. They have a formula of Paul and Ayton giving teams fits in a 2-Man game followed by the ever-impressive Booker. The coaching staff has found an insanely effective way to utilize a big man, with a traditional point but added in a nightmare for defenders in Booker.


        Does this sound familiar? Let’s assume we resign Lonzo, who prior to different usage in the SVG system was a point guard with a pass-first mentality, add in his reformed shot and accuracy improvements he can be a bigger yet lower basketball IQ, Paul. Then you add in possibly the most exciting big man since Shaq was breaking backboards in Zion Williamson and you have an insanely athletic version of everything Ayton can do and then some to make up for all holes in Lonzo’s game that Paul makes up for in Ayton. Then, you add in the Slim Reaper to the mix and utilize him off-ball when teams adjust to the 2 man game of Zion and Ball.


        The Suns have perfectly done what the Pelicans should have been doing all along. If there is anyone who can bring this to life, it is the guy who has had success follow him, and has had a courtside view to the new(old) era of teams who play more traditional and defined positions like the Bucks and the Suns. To end, Willie Green has had quick success as a coach, which is exactly what this team, and city needs for our beloved Pelicans.

A quick share helps us a lot!

Saints Pregame: Domecoming vs Falcons

By Matt Miguez • October 5, 2026
Twenty years ago, the city of New Orleans was forever changed. The "Rebirth" game when the Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina was more than a football game already. However, when Steve Gleason blocked the first punt of the game and it was returned for a touchdown, everyone in the building knew it was over.

Recap: LSU Pummels McNeese in Non-Conference Game

By Chrissy Smith • October 5, 2026
BATON ROUGE -- No. 11 LSU did exactly what it was supposed to do Saturday night — and then some. The Tigers dominated McNeese from the opening whistle, rolling to a 63-14 victory inside Tiger Stadium while putting together one of the most productive offensive performances in school history. LSU finished with 731 yards of total offense , the second-most in a single game in program history. The Tigers also ran 101 offensive plays, setting a new school record. For head coach Lane Kiffin, though, the night was about more than piling up points against an FCS opponent. Kiffin Wants LSU Playing Its Standard LSU led 35-0 at halftime and had every reason to take its foot off the gas. Kiffin chose not to. When asked about using a running clock in the second half, Kiffin said LSU needed to continue playing its game. “You play the game and we decide when the game’s over, by the way that we play, and how physical that we play,” Kiffin said. That mentality showed up throughout the night. Even with the game firmly in hand, LSU continued to play with energy and gave plenty of younger players valuable snaps. Kiffin said the number of plays was particularly important because the Tigers will need that depth during the stretch ahead. “A lot of snaps for guys,” Kiffin said. “The goal was to get (that up) to evaluate those guys because they are going to need to play with the injuries we have down the stretch.” Offense Finds Plenty of Contributors Quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 18 of 23 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, while Corey Barber Jr. caught two touchdown passes. The running game was just as impressive. Harlem Berry rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown, while Stacy Gage added 110 yards and two touchdowns. Five different Tigers — Berry, Dilin Jones, Gage, Landen Clark and freshman defensive tackle Deuce Geralds — scored rushing touchdowns. Geralds' touchdown was particularly memorable. Kiffin joked afterward that he had checked with LSU historian and former Tiger Anthony “Booger” McFarland to determine whether anyone had previously recorded a sack and offensive touchdown in the same game. Kiffin said Geralds now holds the record outright. After a 35-6 victory over Texas A&M last week, LSU has now put together back-to-back dominant performances. The competition gets much tougher from here. But Saturday night showed that LSU has plenty of players capable of making plays — and Kiffin is making sure they understand the standard doesn't change simply because the opponent does. LSU is 4-1 and now turns its attention to Kentucky next Saturday on the road.
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