So it came as a fair surprise when the New Orleans Pelicans made official their hire of Joe Dumars as their new executive vice president of basketball operations. Dumars, a former NBA player and executive, starts his new role during an off-season that was very challenging for the franchise. They ultimately ended with a 21-61 record, the worst mark in two decades. He takes over from David Griffin, who was fired after a six-year run with the organization.
Dumars’ roots into Louisiana run so profoundly. He grew up in Natchitoches and played college basketball at the nearby McNeese State University. Armed with all that experience, now he’s all in on carving the Pelicans’ future. He emphasized the importance of establishing clear standards for success, stating, “You have to set standards and you can’t waver from those standards.” His experience as a player, winning two championships with the Detroit Pistons, and later as a general manager for the team, informs his approach to building a competitive franchise.
During his introductory presser, Dumars called head coach Willie Green a “great man” and “leader.” He heaped praise on Green, saying he has known him for years. He believes Green’s leadership will be pivotal in the Pelicans’ efforts to rebound from their recent struggles. For the players and coaching staff, they’re going to lean into being in this city, in this state,” said Dumars.
The big job ahead for Dumars will be evaluating the current roster. Only then can he begin to chart the course ahead for the Pelicans. He finds ways to foster a culture of accountability and dependability in the locker room. He has no patience for those who don’t live up to those standards. “That’s not elite anything when you allow things to just slide,” he remarked, highlighting his commitment to setting high standards.
On his new job Dumars has already started reaching out to incoming star player Zion Williamson since taking over the position for real. “At the league office, I’ve had to talk to Zion a few times,” he mentioned. He added that their discussions have been productive: “We talked since then, and I’ve talked to Zion since I became the EVP here, and we had exceptional conversations on the phone.” Maintaining this rapport remotely will be important as Dumars looks to get a read on this team’s chemistry and what their long-term ceiling may be.
Dumars, who had a high profile career with the Pistons in New York at the NBA league office. He didn’t intend to vacate that role until Gayle Benson, owner of the Pelicans, called him up. He said he was excited about getting back to basketball operations and being able to help a team that’s always been close to his heart. “You got some nice pieces here. It’s a hard job,” he acknowledged, hinting at both optimism and realism about the challenges ahead.
Dumars clarified his goal to populate the organization with “like-minded individuals” who are committed to excellence. He’s right — creating a more collaborative and happy environment should be the first priority in any attempt to rehabilitate this unhealthy franchise. His deep roots in Louisiana and love of the game will inform and enrich his ability to be on the front lines of this important work.
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