New Orleans Pelicans: Damian Lillard endorses potential coaching candidate

New Orleans Pelicans coaching search: David Vanterpool is a fit

How Vanterpool fits with the Pelicans

If the Pelicans really want to start their own winning culture, they could do a lot worse than a guy who has won everywhere he’s been and has the respect of the best players in the league.

Vanterpool’s well-traveled background suits a city like New Orleans, a diverse melting pot that opens its arms to all wayward travelers.

He has a strong history helping develop players, especially guards and you have to look no further than Lillard and McCollum, two of the best in the NBA.

Having the endorsement of Lillard will impress young players, many of whom look up to the Portland star.

Vanterpool also has a strong history of teaching defense, which is something the Pelicans need, as they had the league’s 20th best defense this season and must improve on that end.

Vanterpool is also a young coach who should be able to gel and bond with the Pelicans young roster. If they really want to create a culture, then hiring a younger coach who can grow with the team is the way to do it.

Fringe role players often make great coaches because they had to overcome a lack of physical ability by being smart, and Vanterpool definitely fits that description. He’s also been all over the world and picked up techniques and strategies from coaches with differing perspectives.

Vanterpool is eventually going to be a head coach in the NBA and there are probably going to be a lot of teams who wish they had hired him instead of going with the same old retread.

Will the Pelicans be one of the teams that regrets passing on one of the rising stars in the coaching ranks?