Monty's Strategies garnering some media attention

[BallSoHard]

1. Second-guessing Monty Williams

Williams has had a curious follow-up to his promising first two years as Hornets coach, replete with odd lineup choices and uninspired strategic options. Nevertheless, it’s good to see Williams coming around a bit on Anthony Davis’ playing time, even if it’s evident that he still holds an odd characterization of the rookie big man’s slight frame. Despite playing just 17 minutes against the Lakers and 16 minutes against the Wizards (two teams with strong centers and big front lines overall) in recent weeks, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft is averaging 30 minutes in March after dropping to 25 in January and 26 in February.

Davis makes mistakes and isn’t a perfect matchup for all opponents, but opting for Robin Lopez instead of him seems to reward arbitrary advantage (physical strength) over actual production. In March, Davis has averaged 19.9 points (on 52.8 percent shooting), 12.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per 36 minutes; Lopez’s numbers are far more meager. The Hornets’ defense is actually slightly better this season with Davis on the court. There’s no question that Davis is an incomplete player without the savvy of more experienced players, but for how long can Williams artificially cap his best young player’s minutes for the sake of playing a merely passable big man?

http://nba.si.com/2013/03/18/dwyane-...r_a1&eref=sihp


Found it interesting that some NBA guys are starting to point out the same thing we've been asking for months.

[AD23nEG10]

those per 36 minutes numbers are phenomenal in march

[AD23forMVP]

It's always frustrating that Monty sits AD because he isn't strong enough yet, but never takes into account that these big strong centers will not be able to stay with AD.

[UNO Gracias]

"Monty's Strategies"...more like Monty's lack of strategies.
I wonder if he will make it through the rebuild.

[BallSoHard]

"Monty's Strategies"...more like Monty's lack of strategies.
I wonder if he will make it through the rebuild.

How many coaches really make it through a rebuild ?

[AD23forMVP]

After what he said the other night about the three year rebuild I have no doubt in mind he's here for a while. May as well take his shoes off and stay awhile.

[Emilio]

It's always frustrating that Monty sits AD because he isn't strong enough yet, but never takes into account that these big strong centers will not be able to stay with AD.

I agree, but having Davis defend Dwight Howard and other similar center will probably wear him down and make him more vulnerable to injuries.

If the opposing team has a strong center I would put Lopez on him and Davis on their power forward. That's it.

[FlyGirl]

I agree, but having Davis defend Dwight Howard and other similar center will probably wear him down and make him more vulnerable to injuries.

If the opposing team has a strong center I would put Lopez on him and Davis on their power forward. That's it.

But instead Monty just decides to sit him down altogether.

[HornetGuru]

20pts-13reb-2.2blocks per 36 minutes, good lord Damian Lilliard who?

He did this while being 19 haha, this kid in 3 years will average 22-12-3

[wuggie]

Dosent Monty put players in box until their able to do certain things more efficiently? Maybe that's what he does with Davis probably, maybe in the end this would pay off.

[FlyGirl]

Aldridge did a Q&A with AD...

From the New Orleans Hornets' losing locker room Friday night, a bright future seemed far, far away. They had just been waxed by the Wizards, and John Wall, of all people, rained mid-range jumpers on them. They got bullied inside. And after two days off in D.C., they looked like the weary team down the stretch instead of Washington. This was their 10th loss in the last 13 games. And yet, there was promise. Greivis Vasquez, the second-year point guard, attacked Wall as much as Wall attacked him. Eric Gordon scored 20, seemingly effortlessly, reminding everyone how potent an offensive force he can be when he's healthy and on the court.

And Anthony Davis, the first overall pick out of Kentucky, flashed -- when he wasn't on the bench in foul trouble.

He went to the basket hard and finished off Vasquez's passes; he scored easily on putbacks; he was disruptive defensively, showing the incredible wingspan that had scouts making comparisons to Marcus Camby. Though Davis has been slowed by a concussion and a stress reaction in his left ankle, he's been balling of late, with seven double-doubles in the last month.

While Portland's Damian Lillard has been out front all season in Rookie of the Year voting, Davis has come on slowly, but consistently, with Coach Monty Williams holding him under 30 minutes a game as he learns the league and starts to put grown-man muscle on his 19-year-old body. It's a work in progress that Williams hopes will end up with Davis looking and playing like LaMarcus Aldridge, whom Williams saw early in his career in Portland while he was an assistant.

Having Lillard get all the ink "kind of reminds me of (Davis) being on the Olympic team," Williams said. "Everybody was focused on LeBron, Chris and Carmelo, and Anthony got a chance to sit back and just watch. Coach K threw him into some games, and you were like, 'Whoa, I forgot he was on the team.' And he's got five straight dunks and three blocks, and you're like, OK. Lillard's older, the body's more mature, and that's taken some of the pressure off of him. AD's played well. It's just that Lillard's played like an All-Star. You can't argue with the fact that he's been the best rookie this year, but AD's right behind him -- just not as close as everybody wants him to be."

Me: What does Monty stress to you day in and day out?

More in the link.

[GeauxPelicans]

It's about time someone started criticizing him. I just wish it was local media, and not national media.

After what he said the other night about the three year rebuild I have no doubt in mind he's here for a while. May as well take his shoes off and stay awhile.

I agree with this. Monty isn't going anywhere

[speedyG]

I hope he has just been tanking and will do better next year

[FlyGirl]

It's about time someone started criticizing him. I just wish it was local media, and not national media.



I agree with this. Monty isn't going anywhere

Only one local so far.

[GeauxPelicans]

Only one local so far.

Never saw that article, but to him. Considering Monty's comment about the "3 year rebuild" though, I wonder if the who plays, when decisions are being left up to him? Maybe he and Dell are under strict tank orders to get stud draft picks? More than likely it's a big overreaction on my part, but damn Monty's coaching seems to have regressed.

[kdalw1]

Dint Monty sign a new 4 year contract before this season? He may be given another year to prove himself unfortunately. And as ticket sales keep regressing they will fire him mid or end of next season.

[smcgull]

I wish Davis was stronger, but I am sure they are trying to get him there.

[Deuce06]

Dint Monty sign a new 4 year contract before this season? He may be given another year to prove himself unfortunately. And as ticket sales keep regressing they will fire him mid or end of next season.

Ticket sales wont increase until the team as a whole gets better. We could have Phil Jackson out there, but if we aren't winning games the sales wont increase just because he's on the sideline.