{"id":21676,"date":"2021-07-23T17:51:06","date_gmt":"2021-07-23T22:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=21676"},"modified":"2021-07-23T17:51:06","modified_gmt":"2021-07-23T22:51:06","slug":"new-orleans-pelicans-of-the-nba-hire-willie-green-as-head-coach-in-hopes-to-maximize-zion-williamson-young-roster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=21676","title":{"rendered":"New Orleans Pelicans, of the nba, hire Willie Green as head coach in hopes to maximize Zion Williamson, young roster"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Willie has established himself as one of the most respected assistant coaches in the NBA. In large part, this is due to a tireless work ethic and authenticity of character,” David Griffin, executive vice president of basketball operations, said Thursday. “He brings a vast amount of basketball knowledge and experience to our team as both a coach and former player, along with exceptional leadership qualities and an innate ability to connect with players, staff and fans alike.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nGreen was a member of two NBA title-winning staffs with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. He moved to Phoenix two seasons ago to join the staff headed by Monte Williams, who also was the head coach in New Orleans when Green played there in the 2010-11 season on a team that guard Chris Paul led to the playoffs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the Suns, Green has been widely credited as the architect of the team\u2019s defensive system. Phoenix had the NBA\u2019s sixth-best defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions), while high-scoring New Orleans missed the playoffs in part because of its 23rd-rated defense.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“It\u2019s a blessing and an honor to get this opportunity in a special place like New Orleans. I look forward to getting to work and immersing myself and my family into the local community,” Green said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beyond his well-regarded acumen for on-court strategy, Green appears to command respect from NBA players. He had a 12-year playing career as a combo guard with Philadelphia, New Orleans, Atlanta, the Los Angele Clippers and Orlando.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is not the first time Griffin has hired a first-time coach with the expectation of quick success. Griffin was Cleveland\u2019s vice president of basketball operations in 2016 when he gave Tyronn Lue his first head coaching job. The Cavaliers, with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving leading the club on the court, won the NBA championship that season.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n