New Orleans Pelicans: Chauncey Billups Could be the Pels’ Steve Nash
The New Orleans Pelicans’ head coaching search may include Chauncey Billups.
The New Orleans Pelicans are still looking for a coach and so far there has been no word on who it might be.
After yesterday’s announcement that Steve Nash was named head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, some started to speculate whether the Pelicans might go with a first-time coach.
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Nash had no experience on the bench, but was still given the head job in Brooklyn, which got mixed reviews from Nets’ fans. Some were happy Brooklyn got a Hall-of-Famer with a unique basketball mind, while others thought a team with title aspirations needed someone more seasoned.
There is a history of no-experience former players doing well as coaches.
There's a modern history of retired guards getting head coaching jobs without stints as assistant coaches, including Doc Rivers (Magic), Isiah Thomas (Pacers), Mark Jackson and Steve Kerr (Warriors) and Jason Kidd (Nets).
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 3, 2020
The Steve Nash move was coupled with another story: former Pistons’ great Chauncey Billups said that he is interested in coaching.
Billups has been after a front office position for several years and was interviewed by a few teams, but he has been out of basketball since he retired.
Billups has long been thought of as a quality coaching candidate, and eventually, he’ll get his chance with someone if he wants it.
But should that team be the New Orleans Pelicans?
There are some pros and cons of hiring a first time coach, and Billups has no experience at any level.
But he would be a splashy, big name hire that would have people talking.
Billups has the pedigree to be a great coach, but is he the right person to take over the New Orleans Pelicans?