New Orleans Pelicans: Why Willie Green is the NBA’s next great coach
The New Orleans Pelicans made an unexpected run to the playoffs behind first-year head coach Willie Green, who will be the NBA’s next great coach.
Most fans and national media had written the Pelicans off after their horrendous start, but Green kept his young team focused and confident through all of the losing and injuries and it eventually paid off.
I thought his coaching job deserved some Coach of the Year buzz, but it was nice to see Monty Williams (former Pelicans’ head coach and Green’s mentor) win the award for a much-deserved second time.
Willie Green came into the season with a plan and a set of non-negotiable rules, which he stuck by through the season. The Pels played hard all year for their coach, had nothing but good things to say about them, and he clearly has plenty of respect in the huddle.
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The New Orleans Pelicans and finally got their guy in Willie Green, and all signs point to him being the NBA’s next great coach.
New Orleans Pelicans: Willie Green has the right balance
When taking about characteristics of coaches, we often talk about X’s and O’s coaches and “players” coaches, but Willie Green is the best of both worlds.
He showed the ability to adjust and learn on the fly in the playoffs, and though he didn’t always make the perfect move, he learned from his mistakes and kept finding ways to slow down the heavily-favored Suns.
The Pels came up just short, but I thought Green had some masterful performances, including in Game 4, when the Pelicans were able to shut down Chris Paul with two rookies, mostly because of Green’s game planning and strategy.
Green also showed that he can be a passionate leader and “players” coach after his “you have to fight” speech, which I have watched approximately 8,000 times and use every time I need motivation to do anything.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1515190568371961857
Feeling too lazy to work out? Put on the Green speech. Need some extra motivation to finish an assignment? Willie Green has you covered.
The normally calm Green knows when to crank up the emotion and lead, and he did just that this season.