When you listen to Willie Green speak, three words that come up a lot: Fit, love and investment.
Those were the three biggest elements that led Green to New Orleans as the new head coach of the Pelicans, where he lauded the fit with his new team and roster. He uses mutual love and respect to bond with his players, but he wouldn't be in this position, he said, without the investment from others along the way.
One of those investors was Monty Williams, whom Green served as an assistant coach for the last two seasons and recently on a run to the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns.
“Monty means the world to me," Green said at his introductory press conference this week. "When he heard that I had an opportunity to go interview with New Orleans, not only did he make me go but he just kind of walked me through the steps and he was so, just, diligent in his process of helping me along the way. I’m so grateful to, once again, learn under a man like Monty, a coach like Monty, a brother like Monty. I said it earlier that the reason we’re in this position today, or I’m this position, is that so many people have prayed, invested and supported me.”
SCROLL BELOW FOR MORE OF THE TOP QUOTES FROM THE NEW PELICANS COACH
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WHAT TO EXPECT
“Well, a Willie Green-coached team, No. 1 we’re gonna coach, our staff, we’re going to coach with love, accountability. You’re going to see a team that goes out and represents the city. We talked about being joyous. It’s one of the things I feel New Orleans is proud of, the people here, they work extremely hard. It’s a connected community, but we want to have a good time doing it. And that’s the team that you’re going to see.”
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MEMORIES OF NEW ORLEANS FROM YEAR AS A MEMBER OF HORNETS
“It was really the start to myself as a young man, having a family. My wife and I had just got married, so being traded here to New Orleans was one of the best basketball experiences of my life. The people, the community, the food, the culture. I don’t think tourists really get a chance to understand this city unless you live here. And after living here for one year, it’s impacted us so great. We’re so proud to be back and have this opportunity to come back to this city and continue this process. So I’m grateful.”
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HOW CAN YOU HELP ZION CONTINUE TO DEVELOP INTO A SUPERSTAR?
“Yea, Zion is a special talent. Quick, fast, speed, athleticism, he can playmake, he can do a lot on the basketball floor. And so as I get together with our staff, continue to watch film. The thing about him is the sky is the limit, it really is. It’s what excites me. I know it’s what excites us is that he’s a guy that can do pretty much anything on the basketball floor. We’ll look at some areas that maybe we can improve on, but it’s really highlighting his strengths, things that he does well and how can we continue to keep him playing at a really high level. So I’m excited about that.”
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ON WHY THE PELICANS ARE A 'SLEEPING GIANT' ... MUCH LIKE PHOENIX WAS
“Number 1, it’s great people here and that’s the start: high character. People that are all working together, connected, a partnership, and raising the level here in New Orleans. This situation actually reminds me a lot of Phoenix. Really high, talented players. The staff, same thing. High character. People that love to come to work, love to work together. And we’re really close to taking the next step. And I believe going into next season that’s our goal, that’s our mindset, and that makes it a sleeping giant. You have two young all stars, putting a lot of talent around those guys and really just making the team go.”
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Follow Jeff Nowak on Twitter @Jeff_Nowak or contact him by email at jeffrey.nowak@audacy.com