Pelicans vs. Grizzlies: Willie Green's Pregame Interview

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green conducted his first pregame interview of the 2023-24 NBA season with the media.

KEY WILLIE GREEN QUOTES

Developing Our Identity: "The goals is for us to go out and, you know, look at what's on paper and throw that out the out the window, throw it in the trash. And let's focus on in between the lines and being mentally tough. Executing, communicating on both ends of the floor and playing to our standards and making sure that we develop our identity."

Small Ball Strategy: "I think just the way the NBA is going in general is teams are playing more small, faster and we'll look at opportunities that we can take advantage of."

Improving Offensive Efficiency: "Just getting sharper, working on our concepts, making sure that we stress value in the basketball. The turnovers are something that can disrupt you on both ends of the floor, especially with this team."

Relief of a New Season: "You said during training camp that felt like a really long offseason. I mean, how good does it feel to just it's time to turn the page now."

Small Ball Strategy: "I think just the way the NBA is going in general is teams are playing more small, faster and we'll look at opportunities that we can take advantage of."

Relief of a New Season: "You said during training camp that felt like a really long offseason. I mean, how good does it feel to just it's time to turn the page now."

Exciting Opportunities: "It's exciting. It's a blessing. Anytime that you can come into an NBA arena and have an opportunity to compete on this floor, it's exciting, it's a blessing and we want to make sure that we look at it, be grateful and take full advantage of these opportunities."

Playing without Jose and Naji: "They're ready for the challenge and these are the moments that these guys live for."

The Importance of Preparation: "Because first week of season you really can't use tape from last year to prepare a game plan for this year. So you just really just try to perfect what you can do well until you can get some good take on your team this year."

Challenging Ourselves to Play Up to Our Standards: "But the biggest challenge for us tonight is us is making sure that we go out and play up to our standards, take care of the ball solid defensively rebound. The basketball get up and down the floor and play with joy. So that's what we're looking forward to."

KEY TOPICS

Primary Topic: Goals for the new offense and playing style

- Throwing out preconceptions and focusing on executing and communicating

- Developing the team's identity

- Taking advantage of mismatches with smaller lineups

- Emphasizing value in the basketball and minimizing turnovers

Primary Topic: Stepping up in the absence of injured players

- Expecting everyone to contribute collectively

- Highlighting the importance of role players stepping up

- Adapting lineups based on the opposing team's personnel

Primary Topic: Opening night and making a statement

- Recognizing the significance of opening night in the NBA

- Expressing excitement and readiness for the start of the regular season

- Emphasizing the motivation and drive to prove themselves

Primary Topic: Growth and cohesion as a coaching staff

- Acknowledging the ongoing learning process as a coach

- Being grateful for the opportunity to work with a great group of people

- Facing challenges and triumphs together as a coaching staff

Primary Topic: Preparation for the regular season game

- Utilizing previous tape on Memphis given their consistent system and coach

- Emphasizing the focus on their own performance and playing up to their standards

- Prioritizing solid defense, rebounding, and playing with joy.