The young New Orleans Pelicans squad is growing up, from the players to the coaching staff. Head coach Monty Williams, a stickler for routine and discipline, loosened the reins to kick off training camp.
Williams scrapped the normal physical test that normally kicks off training camp, instead trusting his players to show up in basketball condition.
"We were in pretty good shape," Williams said after evaluating his team. "Our guys are in much better shape than last year. That's a big deal for us because last year we went through a conditioning test. This year there was no testing. I just told them to come ready to go."
Williams was out of the country for much of the summer helping coach Team USA to a gold medal in FIBA play. He had a specific goal in mind when scrapping his usual opening day conditioning evaluation.
"I thought it was a way to have our guys take ownership," Williams said. "It's on them to make sure they're here working with the coaches or in their hometown working with coaches."
Williams can be difficult to please at times, but he was thrilled with how his squad responded.
"A lot of guys called me and talked to me about 'Coach, when do you want us back' and 'What do you want us doing?" Williams said. "For the most part our program is in stone. All of our guys to a man were anxious to get back. "
So anxious, there was 100 percent attendance at the team's voluntary workouts leading up to camp.
