Five Takeaways Monty Williams Will Take From This Season

[jonathanlambert33]

To get this out of the way, Pelicans Head-Coach Monty Williams will be back next season. Whether you think he should or not does not matter, your opinion on this will not affect the outcome. Maybe after next season, but as of right now it bears little in the discussion of building for this basketball clubs future.

Michael McNamara has said in our recent podcast that Monty Williams is the third most improved person on the Pelicans team. Its a good point because we often forget that coaches also take time to grow into their role. This is Williams first time as a coach and while the rope is getting shorter its not as bad as we can make it out to be sometimes.

This season didnt go the way the Pelicans planned. They suffered extensive injuries and continue to struggle defensively. However, there have been marked improvements of late and certain players have emerged.

With that in mind, lets have a look at five takeaways that Williams can use headed towards next season.

1. Anthony Davis is the big cheese

This franchise was always going to be built around Davis, but before this season there were still plenty of questions as to whether hed be leader of the pack. Well, after this season its safe to say he will be.

AD has put up stellar numbers: 21.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.4 steals all on eFG% of 53% and PER of 27.2 (!). These numbers lead you to believe that Davis will be the world-pro that a team needs for championship aspirations.

Bigger than anything has been his 4th quarter performance. In the final period Davis has averaged 6.1 points (8th in the league), 2.7 rebounds and 0.6 blocks. In his last eight games hes averaged (gasps) 32.25 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals all on 58% shooting from the field.

Monty Williams can now safely build line-ups around Davis. Figuring out what kind of players work best with him will take a little bit more time, but we can already start to see who can and cant play with him.

2. This team needs to stay healthy

Its an easy thing to look at and say that health was a big detriment to this years record. The Pelicans were down two significant players and one major role player. New Orleans has gone through some severe growing pains.

Tyreke Evans couldnt figure out his role on the team for a stretch. With Ryan Anderson out he found it tough to finish in the lane. But working better with Anthony Davis has served him well and the two have developed chemistry.

Austin Rivers and Anthony Morrow have stepped up in ways that might not have been possible had Jrue Holiday been around. Both guards have played significant roles both defensively and offensively and have shown their value to the team.

Having said all of this its imperative that New Orleans stays healthy. Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson add so much to the club. Developing on-court chemistry is vital in figuring out the teams identity.

Many like me have blamed Williams for poor player-rotations. However injuries have certainly effected Williams ability to piece together groups of players that work well together. Slowly hes showing signs of learning (like keeping Greg Stiemsma out of the game and giving Austin Rivers more playing time for defensive purposes).

Heading into next season Williams and his staff have to do all they can to ensure that this team stays healthy. Mainly this is up to the physicians, trainers (how players exercise in the gym), dietitians and (probably the biggest) the players. Health is a big reason why some teams are more successful than others. If the Pelicans want to make the playoffs next season theyll have to do all they can to ensure theyre healthy.

http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/2014/03/25/five-takeaways-monty-williams-will-take-from-this-season/

 

[jonathanlambert33]

4. Eric Gordon does not fit

It’s been very pleasing to see Gordon get healthy this season. It’s always great to see a player who has been labelled an injury prone guy stick it out and play the vast majority of the season.

Prior, the question was whether three high usage guards could share the ball. Well at times it worked, but there have been a lot of times that it hasn’t.

Tyreke and Eric’s games are too similar, but Evans is a much better play-maker. While Gordon can shoot, he doesn’t possess the quick release you would desire as an off-ball guard. At $14 million a season would any team really desire an off-ball guard? No, because Gordon needs the ball in his hands and so does Evans.

The truth is that Gordon doesn’t fit on this roster and it might be best for this team to move in another direction. His scoring is good, but not great and his defense too. There has been times this season that he hasn’t received the calls he’s used to.

But with a healthy season under his belt Gordon will likely find plenty of teams willing to bring him on despite his big contract. His commitment isn’t as long as it used to be (two-years left after this, one if you discount the player-option).

While the Pelicans can still operate with Gordon on the roster their major needs at small-forward and center will continue to go unanswered with him on the roster.

Had to highlight this one because it is alarming how much better the team plays when he is off the court. I guess if you had to highlight wins this season, Portland, Miami, and the Clippers would be the top three. What do all of those have in common? No Eric Gordon.

Strictly looking at the teams on-off stats with Gordon, when Gordon is off the floor they shoot better, rebound better, turn the ball over less, and score three more points per 100 possessions. With Gordon off the floor, the opponent shoots worse (significantly worse, 6%), rebounds worse, turn us over less, and score 8 ppg less. You're looking at about 12 point swing whenever Gordon comes off the court.

 

[elcheato]

This off-season is the time to get rid of him if you're not sold, because the Pelicans are going to get better even if he is a lousy coach because of Davis, making it harder to justify canning him even if he's below average

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I think he'll stick around into next season. Like the article stated, he's showing some improvements. He's readjusted his defense, something he's been reluctant to do in the past. He's getting a little smarter and more unique with his lineups. And the team is playing better, obviously. I'd still want him gone, but I just don't see it.