Pelicans news: Most interesting quotes from 2024 NBA Media Day

For many, mainly reporters and analysts, NBA Media Day is the true mark of the beginning of the upcoming season. The New Orleans Pelicans came into theirs with plenty of pressing questions surrounding the organization, its roster, and its aspirations for the 2024-25 campaign.

While Media Day can give valuable insight into the most important issues around a team, it can also reveal a lot about a player's personality off of the court and provide some very interesting and fun soundbites without the pressures of an active season.

The Pelicans spent a good chunk of the day answering some of the most critical concerns about the team, but they also gave a lot of entertaining bits as well, including from the professionals behind the players like Vice President David Griffin and Head Coach Willie Green. Here are some of the most interesting quotes from the Pelicans 2024 Media Day.

New Orleans Pelicans 2024 Media Day in quotes

""We haven't really dove too much into [me being the sole big on the floor]. I'm a basketball player. You gotta work with what you got.""

- Zion Williamson

The Pelicans center rotation next season won't exactly be a strength of theirs, as the only true anchors on the roster are Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and former second-round pick Karlo Matkovic. Both David Griffin and Coach Green stated at Media Day that playing small is a possibility for New Orleans in this upcoming season, but, apparently, it hasn't been specifically discussed that Zion could wind up the sole big on the court in any lineups. Regardless, he'll be ready and willing to do whatever's asked of him.

""It was a breath of fresh air.""

- Zion Williamson

Despite being just 24 years old, Zion's dealt with enough offseason drama and scrutiny for an entire career, if not a lifetime. Although he ended last season sidelined with a hamstring injury, it wasn't too serious of an ailment, and he was fully recovered by the early days of the offseason. As such, he was able to spend his summer working on his game, focusing on conditioning, and touring throughout China with Jordan Brand. When asked what it was like to be able to spend a whole offseason solely dialed into basketball, he expressed his contentment with his summer.

""Get your threes up, BI.""

- Willie Green

Built around a relentless rim runner in Zion, 3-point shooting and floor spacing have been major points of emphasis for the New Orleans Pelicans. Brandon Ingram is theoretically a three-level scorer, but his outside shooting has taken significant dips in both volume and efficiency over the past few seasons. That's made him a less-than-ideal fit next to Zion, and Coach Green is well aware of that.

""He's not going to score on me this season." "

- Jose Alvarado on Naji Marshall

The Pelicans lost quite a few key pieces from last year's roster this past offseason, including "The Knife" Naji Marshall. His presence as a jack-of-all-trades defensive lynchpin will surely be missed in New Orleans, but Jose Alvarado won't be sparing any feelings during their matchups in the upcoming season.

""I want him to be as competitive as he's ever been and carve out some minutes for himself.""

- Willie Green on Jordan Hawkins

The Pelicans might be more talented overall this season with the addition of Dejounte Murray, but their depth is much more questionable than last year. That means that a fringe rotation player like Jordan Hawkins has a real opportunity to earn a key role. New Orleans could certainly use his deep shooting, so, hopefully, he'll show improvements in the areas that Green is demanding from him in order to get consistent playing time.

""We've got more talent than we've ever had.""

- David Griffin

There are valid concerns about the New Orleans Pelicans, but the top-end talent on this team is undeniable. They have more than enough natural ability to contend for a championship. Time will tell if David Griffin and Coach Green can press the right buttons to turn this theoretical conglomerate of talent into a real title team.