Report: Some Pelicans felt Willie Green didn’t hold Zion Williamson accountable

The Pelicans didn’t just make a coaching change. They apparently made a culture change.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, several Pelicans players and staffers felt former coach Willie Green didn’t hold Zion Williamson accountable during his tenure.

That, along with internal frustrations involving Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III, played into New Orleans’ decision to move on.

“Pelicans guard Jordan Poole was upset with his role after Green removed him from the starting lineup on October 29,” Scotto wrote.

“Green’s messaging had also become stale with Trey Murphy III… and some players and members of the organization felt Green didn’t hold Zion Williamson accountable enough.”

Green finished 150-190 in the regular season and 2-8 in the playoffs, never once coaching Williamson in a postseason game.

Williamson, a two-time All-Star, has appeared in only five games this season and is currently out with a hamstring injury. He’s averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 48.7 percent from the field.

Meanwhile, New Orleans sits at 2-11 and in last place in the West.

James Borrego will coach the Pelicans the rest of the way, and he’s reportedly already earned Williamson’s respect.

As Scotto noted, Borrego quietly took over Williamson’s player development program before the season and the star forward “has responded well.”

Williamson has played just 219 games since going No. 1 in the 2019 draft. He’s in the second year of a five-year, $197 million extension that pays him $39.4 million this season.

If the Pelicans are going to dig out of this hole, it’ll start with availability, and accountability.

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