New Orleans Pelicans to have Monty Williams on short leash
By Josh Hill
The New Orleans Pelicans want to make the playoffs but they don’t want to wait around forever to get postseason games on the bayou. It’s been a while since New Orleans was any good — in fact they had a different name it was so long ago — but this season is looking to be a make or break year for head coach Monty Williams.
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According to Steve Kyler from Basketball Insiders, Monty Williams is one of a handful of coaches entering the season on the hot seat and may not be around next year to see how much this Pelicans team he’s in charge of can grow.
"Williams is certainly on the clock in New Orleans. Fair or not, he needs things to break his way this year. One of the things Williams has talked about recently was allowing his guys more freedom offensively, something he learned with his time with Team USA in Spain. If the Pelicans can get out to a strong start, things should calm down on the Williams front, but if this season plays out like the last two seasons, ownership may look to make a change."
It’s not as though the Pelicans will give up on Williams midseason, as they may allow him to try and coach out of whatever funk he gets into. But should the team miss the playoffs or fall amazingly short, there could be a coacxhing change next season.
There’s no guarantee one way or the other, but Williams’ slack has run out and it’s time to put up or get out in New Orleans this year.
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