New Orleans Pelicans: 3 NBA Assistant Coaches to Consider Hiring

New Orleans Pelicans Head Coach Candidates: Adrian Griffin

Adrian Griffin: Toronto Raptors

Adrian Griffin is another candidate who comes from a strong coaching tree.

He started with Scott Skiles in Milwaukee, then spent five years under Tom Thibodeau with the Bulls.

He was on the 2014 staff of the gold medal FIBA team and was made the top assistant for Orlando in 2015. He then went on to become Billy Donovan’s top assistant on OKC before joining Nick Nurse in Toronto, where they won the title in 2018-19.

Griffin has worked under some of the best coaches in the game and has gotten rave reviews every place he’s been.

Why He Fits the Pelicans

Griffin knows defense.

He has worked with some of the top defensive minds in the game in Skiles, Thibodeau, Donovan and Nurse.

Considering how abysmal the Pelicans’ defense has been all year, getting a coach with a solid defensive background is probably a good idea.

I also like coaches who have been around success. Would you rather have a retread coach who has lost everywhere he’s been but has a recognizable name, or a guy who has won everywhere he’s been, picking up habits and mentorship from winners?

Nick Nurse is one of the current best coaches in the NBA and called Griffin “instrumental” to the Raptors’ title.

I like his defensive chops, his history of being around smart and successful coaches and that he is a young black man who will have the ear of this team.