Pelicans select to stay upbeat, not downcast

Van Gundy was fired after the Pelicans went 31-41 in his solely season as head coach of the group. Hart, in the meantime, ventured into the restricted free hand after lacking the group’s final 25 video games with a hand harm. Nonetheless, he hoped he would garner curiosity from groups throughout the league. These profitable provides by no means materialized. He ended up signing a three-year extension with New Orleans. The deal could possibly be price as much as $38 million, however it comes with one main caveat: solely the primary 12 months is assured.

“I do know it’s totally simple to commerce,” Hart stated, “so hold that in thoughts.”

Hoping for extra safety, Hart took a summer time break from basketball for the primary time in his grownup life. He married. He spent a while away from the sport, trusting that distance would give him a brand new perspective. He additionally started getting ready to play for an additional head coach – his fourth in 5 seasons. Hart acknowledged that biking via so many philosophies and administration types can take a toll on a younger participant, particularly one looking for their area of interest.

“Some coaches are optimistic, some are destructive,” he stated. “Some hold it actual with you, some do not.”

Hart stated he was nonetheless “skeptical” about his place within the group when he first met Inexperienced over dinner earlier than coaching camp started. Inexperienced, a former Warriors and the Suns assistant, stated he approached the assembly with an agenda. First he needed to pay attention: What had occurred to Hart over the summer time? What have been his frustrations? How might he assist? Second, he needed to convey that he cherished Hart’s aggressive nature — “He made each group he performed for higher,” Inexperienced stated — and considered him as a pacesetter.

“I walked away feeling emboldened that he wasn’t going to restrict me or put me in a field, that he was going to let me play the sport the best way I like it,” Hart stated. “For a basketball participant, that is what you wish to hear — that you’ve your coach’s confidence.”

Hart compiles his most full season as a professional, averaging 13.1 factors, 7.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists whereas capturing a career-best 51.5 % from the sphere.

“I consider in them,” Inexperienced stated of his gamers. “Even when it would not look good, I do know we are going to make it.”