Pelicans Dismiss Monty Williams

Williams done in New Orleans. Photo Credit: Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports

New Orleans announced  the firing of head Coach Monty Williams after five seasons.

By: Michael Hanley (@Magic20099)
This move came as a shock to many people in and around the NBA as Williams had just led this Pelicans franchise to its first playoff berth since the  2011 season. They had to make a final push during the last legs of the regular season just to even get into the postseason field, including having to beat the defending NBA Champions in the San Antonio Spurs, which they were able to accomplish.

It seemed as if Williams had done more than enough to warrant coming back for another season or even  a few more with the direction this young and upcoming team is moving while under his guidance. With a couple more signings, this franchise can make some waves in the very tough Western Conference, but now that Williams is out, the hope of that is now on hold until who emerges as the new head coach.

Here is the statement by Pelicans Executive Vice President Micky Loomis (via Sean d' Oliveira, CBS Sports): 

"Making a decision like this is never easy and is never done hastily, especially when you are dealing with a person of Monty Williams' character," Pelicans executive vice president Mickey Loomis said. "We thanked Monty for the tremendous work and commitment he made to our organization and the development of our young players, specifically Anthony Davis. While we continue to work towards improving our roster, we decided that now was the time to make this decision. We wish nothing but the best for Monty in the future."

This is an odd move anyway you slice it. You have  a coach in Williams who  is able to guide this group despite injuries throughout the regular season to a record of 45-37 and gave the Warriors a fight in the first round before bowing out.

It seemed like the players got along with him fine and bought into how he wanted to play  the game.
The player development also was impressive by Williams and his staff as they had a hand in bringing along these young players and making them continue to improve and grow with each passing season.

I do not know how much more Monty Williams could have gotten out of this particular group for the Pelicans when you also look at the depth and loaded conference that the west is and will be for years to come.This was not a championship type of roster by any means, and it seems like the front office of the Pelicans thinks they are closer to competing for one than they actually are at this point.

It is not easy to go and get a new coach who will just come right in and improve the team ten fold with his schemes or style of playing basketball. This will be an adjustment for the entire roster of players to get use to and learn how this new head coach will want to execute plays on both ends. 

It could take the early part of next season before this team can really start to get on the right path with the new staff intact.

So while their will be excitement and new hope sprung when New Orleans announces their new head coach, the pressure and expectations of winning right away and big will be gigantic and will only subside if they are able to make that jump into the upper echelon of the Western Conference.