The New Orleans Pelicans decided to move on from head coach Stan Van Gundy after just one season. After the decision, talks about his relationship with both Zion Williamson and Brandin Ingram came about. However, Van Gundy hooped on the STUpodity podcast by Stugotz and put those rumors to bed, according to Jonathan Soveta.
“Front offices and owners make decisions and they're the ones that decide to fire people, and that shouldn't ever, ever, ever be placed on players. I know this, regardless of what happened in that regard, Zion's no coach killer.”
A bold claim by Van Gundy, who is not placing any of the blame on Zion or any players for that matter. While the Pelicans missed the playoffs, their future is bright. The duo of Ingram and Williamson has a lot of potential, and they have a big question regarding Lonzo Ball over the summer.
While Van Gundy underwhelmed in his lone season at the Pelicans helm, he did not entirely rule out the possibility of there being some discontent from the players regarding his role as head coach.
“If they were unhappy, I didn't hear about it. Zion was unhappy with us not winning more games. But Zion never expressed to me any of that. That doesn't mean he wasn't unhappy. I don't know. It's possible they were unhappy with me and that was part of what led to the change.”
Who really knows, but Van Gundy is not placing any of the blame on any players, more so putting the blame on his shoulders– and rightfully so. The Pelicans are still searching for a head coach, and Brandon Ingram was recently at a playoff game with the GM, in turn putting to bed any rumors of him going elsewhere as well.
It should be an interesting offseason for the Pelicans.
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