COMMENTARY | To say that New Orleans Hornets' fans are frustrated with their team's 7-25 record would be an understatement. An offseason of promise that included a new owner, a long-term lease to stay in New Orleans, the drafting of Anthony Davis, and the signing of Eric Gordon has degenerated into a nightmare of a season. Although fans are frustrated, no one is more frustrated than Hornets coach Monty Williams.
Monty Williams
Despite his youth, Monty Williams is a no-nonsense former NBA player who preaches tough, hard-nosed defense. If he wasn't bald, Williams would probably be going gray at the numerous defensive breakdowns and offensive turnovers of his young Hornets. So Williams continues to experiment with his starting lineup and rotation to find a winning combination.
But this is becoming a classic "chicken or the egg" situation in New Orleans. Is Monty Williams using so many different rotations because the Hornets are struggling or are the Hornets struggling because Williams is using so many different rotations?
One thing I am certain of is that Williams' many different rotations are not making life easy on Greivis Vasquez. After Wednesday's action, the Hornets starting PG was tied for first place in the NBA with 109 turnovers. New Orleans fans have been overly critical of Vasquez for something that I believe is mostly not his fault. How can Vasquez develop any consistency or rhythm on the court when Monty Williams is trying so many different rotations?
I'm not saying Williams needs to settle on an eight-man rotation. The Hornets are a young team and there isn't much difference in talent between the first sub in and the last man on the bench. Anyone with an NBA future in New Orleans deserves a shot. But Williams need to settle on his starters and what positions all his players play.
At least 10 Hornets have played in every game this season. And in most games, 11 or 12 Hornets have seen action. I realize that isn't unusual in the NBA early in the season. But many New Orleans players are hybrids and there's no telling what position they'll be playing at any given time. It's no wonder Greivis Vasquez leads the NBA in turnovers.
My concern is that Monty Williams' competitive nature and drive to win may be causing him to throw random Hornets' starting lineups and rotations against the wall until something sticks. New Orleans always plays hard and this is a young team, but by this point in the season the Hornets should be improving more than they are.
This Hornets team has been together since early October. By now, Monty Williams should know who his best players are and what positions they should play. Maybe when Eric Gordon returns to full strength for New Orleans, Williams will finally settle on one rotation.
Patrick Michael was born in New Orleans and currently resides in the Big Easy. A loyal New Orleans NBA fan, Patrick was a diehard New Orleans Jazz fan and now cheers for the Hornets. Patrick was in attendance the night the Hornets were one win away from the Western Conference Finals. Follow Patrick Michael on Twitter at patmichael84.
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