Much like the New Orleans Pelicans roster, the coaching staff is a mixture of rookies and veterans.
The Pelicans will have one of the youngest rosters in the league, with three new faces in the starting lineup, and they will also have a relatively inexperienced coaching staff.
Head coach Willie Green is looking to put his stamp on the team, but this is his first time in the top job, which is why the Pelicans wanted to bring in some more experienced coaches to fill out his staff.
You’ll not find many more experienced than Mike D’Antoni, who was a head coach for 16 seasons in the NBA, making the Finals and winning Coach of the Year twice.
The Pelicans have hired him to be a “coaching advisor”, a role that he will dip in and out of as the season progresses.
But what exactly can Mike D’Antoni bring to the New Orleans Pelicans?
New Orleans Pelicans: Mike D’Antoni brings experience and offensive expertise
Willie Green by all accounts is a very sharp coach with a great basketball mind and the ability to communicate with younger players, but that doesn’t mean he can’t use some help.
The 70-year-old Mike D’Antoni has been through just about every situation in the NBA and can undoubtedly provide some insight and advice if coach Green should need it.
D’Antoni is also known as one of the most innovative minds in the game when it comes to offense as the pioneer of the “7 second or less” offense in Phoenix, an explosive offense in Houston, and most recently, helping on the offensive side of the ball as an assistant in Brooklyn, who had the top-scoring offense in the league last season.
The New Orleans Pelicans had a good offense last season, but they could be better, especially when it comes to getting into their half court offense sooner, moving the ball more effectively and not relying so heavily on isolation, all things D’Antoni has been known for over the course of his career.
This young franchise can benefit from his experience and expertise, so I was happy to see D’Antoni with clipboard in hand on the first day of practice:
Coaching advisor Mike D’Antoni here at first practice of Pelicans’ training camp. pic.twitter.com/mRqsZJBv2b
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) September 28, 2021
The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to pick up an edge anywhere they can after missing the playoffs last season, and D’Antoni should be a big help.