NEW ORLEANS — NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy sees a New Orleans roster brimming with young players who have obvious talent, but still have plenty to learn about the way basketball is played in the NBA.
Van Gundy has a track record of bridging that gap between knowledge and talent with younger players in his previous coaching stops. His eagerness to try again with a club headlined by 2019 first overall draft choice Zion Williamson played a role in his decision to pursue the Pelicans job.
“There is a lot of teaching to do to bring these guys along,” Van Gundy said Tuesday during a formal introduction via video conference because of the coronavirus pandemic.