The Case for Willie Green
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.
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