Pelicans Coach Willie Green Pregame Interview - Rockets Game on Nov. 10.
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00:00 >> Hostile territory coach, last one on the boat.
00:04 They've been a really hot three-point shooting team lately.
00:08 How do you run them off the line, approach your perimeter defense?
00:12 >> First, you gotta be physical with these guys.
00:14 They're, like you said, they play with a lot of confidence.
00:18 You can't have two-way stunts in picking roles.
00:22 You gotta be in early, get out, contest, close out to defeat.
00:25 And then finish possessions, they do a good job of crashing off his glass.
00:29 >> Over the last four, your team's been really good at the free throw line,
00:32 number one in the league, 94%.
00:35 Is that just a mentality, was that a point of emphasis?
00:39 >> It's definitely a point of emphasis.
00:41 We have the ability to get to the free throw line.
00:43 We can get to the paint and finish.
00:45 So you get there, you get to the free throw line, you wanna make those shots,
00:50 that's just more points for us.
00:51 So for sure, it's an emphasis.
00:52 >> I know you got to see this team in the preseason, but
00:55 you go back a year ago, they really weren't interested in playing a lot of
00:58 defense.
00:59 That's completely switched now.
01:01 Is the addition of Brooks and Van Vliet a big part of that?
01:04 >> For sure.
01:04 Those guys come from winning programs, add Jeff Green.
01:10 And then he's doing a great job of sort of just changing the foundation here,
01:16 how they play, how they go about their business.
01:18 They're gonna be a good team in the West, and they're tough, and
01:24 they bring a swagger.
01:25 So it should be a good, challenging game for us.
01:27 >> Did you ever think you were gonna see three two-way players on the court
01:30 [INAUDIBLE] the ball game for you?
01:32 >> Yeah, we talked about this earlier today in the shoot around.
01:35 We didn't, but that's the NBA.
01:39 That's the opportunities you get in the NBA.
01:40 When they come, you gotta take advantage of them.
01:43 So our guys did that.
01:46 Unfortunately, we didn't come up with the win, but once again,
01:49 it's a lot of positives to take out of those games.
01:52 >> I mean, basically your whole Pelican Center has been a bunch of guys
01:56 out of the lineup.
01:57 I mean, how do you just remain upbeat and
01:59 just keep going everything and keep going forward?
02:03 >> Control the controllables.
02:04 Those are components of basketball that I can't control.
02:09 Injuries happen.
02:09 Sometimes guys are out for different reasons.
02:14 And the beauty in the NBA is that you find a diamond in the rough sometimes.
02:20 We wouldn't get to see Jordan Hawkins as much if we had a full roster.
02:25 We wouldn't get to see Jeremiah and Matt Ryan and some of these stories.
02:28 So just continue to stay positive.
02:33 Continue to look at the big picture and
02:35 have our guys prepared to go out and play and be at their best.
02:39 >> What's your thoughts about the in-season tournament?
02:42 >> I think we're all still trying to find out about it.
02:46 It's unique.
02:47 I think it is bringing some excitement.
02:49 The courts have been a big talk.
02:52 And the biggest thing for us is that it's another opportunity to go out and
02:56 compete.
02:58 And during a regular season, it brings a little bit more
03:02 heightened awareness of meaningful games during the regular season.
03:08 >> Have you ever played on a court that colorful?
03:09 >> [LAUGH] >> I've never played on a,
03:13 I don't think I've ever played on a red court, purple court, blue court, but
03:16 I'll get to coach on one tonight.
03:19 >> Are there any concerns, coach, that that could mess up vision or
03:22 passing or anything with the Zion tuning points?
03:27 >> I hope it is not for us.
03:28 >> [LAUGH] >> Got anything on Herb yet?
03:33 >> Herb is, he'll still be out tonight, yeah.
03:36 >> Najee?
03:37 >> Najee's out as well, yeah.
03:39 >> How does it feel to have Zion back?
03:42 >> Great, whenever we can get our guys healthy and get them back, what have you.
03:48 It's great for our team, it brings more chemistry.
03:50 It allows you to go over your roster to know who's playing and go over matchups.
03:56 So Zion's, he's one of the most talented players in the NBA and
04:02 playing in the in-season tournament on a Friday night.
04:05 People wanna watch him play and so we're glad to have him back.
04:07 >> Thanks, coach.
04:10 >> Thank you.
04:10 - Thank you. - Cheers.