The New Orleans Pelicans have fired coach Willie Green after a dismal 2-10 start to the NBA season, club executive vice president Joe Dumars announced on Saturday.

"I was looking for the team to compete hard every night," said Dumars, a two-time NBA champion as a player who was hired in April by the Pelicans.

"If we start losing the same way over and over again, that's not improvement.

"Before you can become anything in this league, you have to establish that first as a team. It was that judgment (that led to a change) more than identity, more than the offense or defense, or the won-loss record," Dumars said in comments posted on the Pelicans website.

The Pelicans started the season 0-6 as they dealt with injuries to key players. Star big man Zion Williamson has played just five games

See Full Page