Willie Green’s critical moment: Can the New Orleans Pelicans turn it around?
The New Orleans Pelicans face a critical stretch as they navigate a challenging four-game homestand. With key players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram on the court, the team has yet to meet expectations.
Host Jake Madison explores the pressing issues facing the Pelicans, including Willie Green’s pivotal role as head coach and the impact of injuries to players like Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, and CJ McCollum. Despite Zion Williamson’s recent shooting slump, Madison remains optimistic about his long-term potential, noting improvements in his rebounding. The episode also addresses the Pelicans’ defensive struggles and the importance of upcoming games against the Pacers and Hawks.
Tune in for an insightful discussion on the New Orleans Pelicans’ path to success and the strategies that could redefine their season.
0:00 Intro
2:03 Make or Break for Willie Green
5:06 Team Struggles and Injuries
11:46 Zion’s Shooting and Rebounding
16:20 Defensive Challenges and Rebounding
19:54 Zion’s Rhythm and Team Concerns
22:26 Injury Updates and G League Recalls
25:59 Upcoming Games and Expectations
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37 Comments
A better team isn't going to come from firing anyone — coaching isn't the issue …this team, if all went super well, has a ceiling of the 2nd round of the playoffs … they are just too small and lack a tough defensive identity. Zion is going to have some good regular season games — against teams that play lackluster defense… If Zion was 6'9 or 6'10 it might be a different story .. but at 6'6 and with his somewhat predictable offensive game, there's only so much he can do to dominate the better teams with good defenses. The Pels's biggest issue is defense — which is only going to look worse when they play even bigger offensive threats ,,, as they currently have no one to effectively guard the Ginnis;s Jokic;s, AD's, Brons's Embidss of the league
Not sure if Green knows how to utilize his roster, but can't put all on him, they overloaded with key injuries, and the next guys up have to lock in, just seeing how other teams we played so far ….bench players showed up, I can't imagine facing teams like Celtics, Thunder, teams with depth, if they can lock in , they'll be ok👌🏽 76 games left, get healthy and finish strong
Start hawk bench c.j. fire Willie,Borrego will made the team better!
Been expecting Zion to play really well for many seasons. Only seen it in spurts and starts.
Every dayer!! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
Wanna hear from zion and bi
They better practice in the Arena before the game
play big five, no small five, ples can win
I'm almost hoping we don't as we've had the same mediocre results for years, we need a change..now! 🏀🇬🇧
Zion’s gotta bring that gangster mentality, that get-it-done attitude. That’s how you step up and became a leader—showing you’re ready to handle business with real grit.
It’s year 6 and Griff is still a bad GM and Zion is still fat. Willie was honestly never given a fair shot here. Very tough to evaluate him tbh.
Fire Willie Green Now
Every dayer comment
every dayer
Willie is a very humble man,but we need a way better coach.
Every dayer
The Pelicans waived Matt Ryan who was their best shooter by far. They don't have a clue on how to build a good roster. And the coach is terrible.
They released Matt Ryan. Enough Said.
https://youtu.be/fUoklC1Fx6M?si=yEqmFHJs5PYm5Tb5
If we continue this way of playing ball….we will NOT make the playoffs. It does now take a genius to figure this out.
Every dayer
Calm down 😂!! Only over 70 games to go and our Big 2 are healthy! They are about to show out and home with Z leading the way! I don’t think you will see any more excuses after they snap this losing streak! Coach gotta insist on good energy and run the plays through Z and watch it unfold
If the Pelicans have players on their team that do not buy into a system tha then the Pelicans are probably destined to be contending for a Play in spot. Steve Kerr benched Brandon Ingram and it's strange to me that every time the Pelicans play the warriors it seems all he has to do is send a double team or get somebody really aggressively defending. Brandon and the Pelicans are iso style playing basketball is useless and it gets worse because now they're marrying that strategy to include corralling Zion by building a wall so he can't approach without getting assessed and offensive foul… It's really strange that any NBA veteran would not see that ISO ball is ineffective against a system and willingly buy-in… If they get another coach and the players do not buy in, what does the New Orleans Pelicans organization do?
Please cut Willie Green
Mr. Erry Dat'tt👈🏾 Thanks Jake! I'll b in the house as usual, but no way we're winning tonight. I just may pull out my brown paper bag🤔 Same as the Saints with too many injuries
Ok here's my take…. look at injuries that occurred on road. We don't get calls and our players got beat up. Not sure what game yall watched but the calls were 100% in warriors favor we never had a chance to beat refs and the team. Wanna know what was wrong there's your answer. If we get a fair ref we don't have players get frustrated. The commentary even said how bad it was.
Willie green not the problem the fact that we don’t have an nba caliber center is really the issue
We need to sign Matt Ryan back… ASAP
There was more spacing on the floor for Zion with Matt Ryan and Hawkins on the floor with him… Pels desperately need another shooter right now. You could not leave Matt Ryan open last year, you had to guard and chase him.
We need that right now…… And we better hurry up because the Knicks are looking at him 😬
Hi Jake
What happened to the preseason version of Zion? You know the one who actually played defense….
I'm in there tonight!
Idc whos the coach is, u cant fire willie if players not available and sleep walking on the floor almost every game no other team does that not even the pistons and thats facts!!!
It’s over. This team and coach combo is not going to even get to the 2nd round! Step 1: Fire Willie. Step 2: Capture the Flagg.
JUST IT …. Willie Green is list as questionable
Man it 5 games imto a 82 game season. Y'all tripping. They have plenty of time to turn it around.
It starts with our starting five. BI should not be in the starting five and CJ should be traded asap. Murray, Herb, Trey, Zion and Missi should start, end of story. Finally, Jose should play more minutes than Hawk because he plays defense and Hawk just jacks up 3's. BI is ISO all day and all night, Zion at least runs and goes to the hole. Finally, David Griffin and Willie Green has to go now. They are committed to BI crippling this offense while knowing that this is Zion's team.
Man this guy is soo irritating . Anyone that has played basketball can tell u havent at all . Injuries to a point guard can changed a team completly esp when u shipped the other pg out from last season . Everyone knows that takes more than 4gms . Its like u have something against a playoff coach like willie . What u need to do is make this show better . Its not good . Tell us more of what u know an not what u think jake . Willie is tge best coach weve had since williams .
Its time to fire Willie Green