Pelicans superstar (?) Zion Williamson’s continuing injuries did not help Coach Willie Green keep his job. After a 2-10 start to the 2025-26 season, the Pelicans fired Coach Willie Green over the weekend.
For the past few weeks I have been saying that it was time for a coaching change. Willie Green wasn’t the only problem with the Pelicans, but he just didn’t seem to have what it takes to be a successful coach in the NBA. Even though I wanted a coaching change, I’m not happy he was fired - I’m not happy when anyone gets fired, but when it comes to sports franchises tough decisions must be made. Pelicans owner Gayle Benson admitted it was a tough decision and she had a lot of respect for Willie Green and his family, but she left that decision up to Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars.
In firing Green, Dumars said that it wasn’t just the win-loss record, but said the Pelicans were “losing the same way, over and over again.” I love that Dumars said, “We’re not status quo people. We;re just not. We can’t sit on our hands and we can’t sit here and go, ‘Well, it’s going to get better one day.’” The city of New Orleans has a tendency to accept the status quo with sports franchises and that reflects a mentality that is part of this city. We are too accepting of the way things are and collectively there is an innate resistance to change. I’m encouraged by Dumars’ words. Green’s record with the Pelicans was 150 wins - 190 loses over a 5 year period and there was just no sign things were going to change.
And then there’s the problem of the #1 draft pick who was destined to be a superstar in the NBA - Zion Williamson. Zion Williamson is injured AGAIN. Zion has played in only 39% of the games and that can’t be acceptable. It is known that some NBA players have faked or prolonged injuries for reasons that range from just getting rest and getting paid to influencing the outcome of games, but constantly recurring injuries in the NBA can be questioned. There is no reason to believe that Zion is faking or prolonging any injuries. One reason for so many injuries is Zion’s physical build. Zion is fast and agile for a man his size - 6’6” 284 lbs. Moving as quickly as he moves on the court at that size may make him prone to certain injuries. But the fact remains that Zion Williamson has been a BUST for the Pelicans.
Sports fans in New Orleans have seen players leave the Saints and go on to become superstar athletes for other teams. I fear that if Zion left the Pelicans he would become a superstar with another team. And what does that tell you? Did he really put his best effort forward in New Orleans?
The point is that Zion has not come close to living up to expectations with the Pelicans. Zion should be valuable on the NBA market and at this point it might be better to get another player or players and draft picks and move on without Zion. He certainly isn’t helping the team sitting on the bench. Zion is young and loves women. Is that a distraction?
I would hate to lose a natural talent like Zion Williamson, but since he is not helping the Pelicans, maybe there are players who would contribute to the Pelicans’ goals. You can’t be a superstar if you’re sitting on the bench and only playing in 39% of the games.
Zion - shoot or get off the pot!