New Orleans Pelicans: Boston’s Collapse Shows Problems in Coaching Search

The New Orleans Pelicans better tread carefully if they’re looking for a coach like Brad Stevens

There was a scream heard around the world Thursday night. Okay, not literally but at least in the NBA bubble, Marcus Smart’s expletive-laden shouts to teammates sent shockwaves to the league. As someone who resides in Boston, I keep a pulse on the Celtics and this situation is a warning for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Recently, I wrote that the New Orleans Pelicans head coaching search should yield a candidate like Brad Stevens, but I’m starting to falter on that opinion. What I’m concluding now is that there’s an expiration date on coaching like Brad Stevens and here’s why.

When Brad Stevens got the Boston Celtics’ head coaching job, it was intending to foster growth in a rebuilding franchise. That’s exactly what Stevens has done so far with his X’s and O’s schematic approach.

Stevens preaches system basketball over individual talent and runs the Celtics like they’re an NCAA team. There’s success in that when we watch the Boston Celtics run their beautiful motion offense and throw out exotic defensive schemes, but there are also shortcomings in that approach.

Those shortcomings hit the Boston Celtics as hard as the alleged chairs that Marcus Smart threw hit the locker room walls. It’s a lesson that no matter what if the New Orleans Pelicans want to make it in the playoffs they need some former players around them.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans need former players in their organization

When I was hearing about the Boston Celtics problems unfold, I didn’t blame a specific player I blamed Brad Stevens. As the mix of Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum exchanged words, Stevens stood off to the side and his words failed to defuse a situation he created.

The Celtics’ problems are because Brad Stevens never established a hierarchy of his stars and doesn’t have the voice to defuse tensions. We can say the same thing about parts of Alvin Gentry’s tenure in New Orleans.

With the Pelicans having three young stars of their own in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson, they need a former player to be a guiding voice on the coaching staff. It doesn’t have to be the head coach, maybe it’s assistant but the New Orleans Pelicans need a guy who knows what it’s like to be in the trenches.

I believe that coaches like Brad Stevens are great teachers for developing players, but often end up fired for a coach with playing experience to lead the team in the playoffs.\n

Who will be the leader for the New Orleans Pelicans?

This is still the big question we’re all waiting to be answered. I think the New Orleans Pelicans need to bring some aspect of player experience to their coaching staff.

We wrote about a few head coaching options who fit that profile, like Tyronn Lue and Chauncey Billups. I think both of those men are very engaging hires with excellent backgrounds playing in the NBA and a great understanding of scheme from playing at the point guard position.

I suggested that the Pelicans look to bring in former player David West as an assistant or consultant to the organization because his reputation as a locker room leader is a beneficial trait to have.

Whatever the New Orleans Pelicans decide to do, I think they should seriously evaluate their core and look at situations like the one in Boston. That way the team can think about why it’d be best to add someone with NBA experience to the staff.