The New Orleans Pelicans never really had a chance in the first round of the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors. And while the team can take some credit for a season well done, Pels coach Monty Williams was still hearing boos and heckles from fans in the postseason.
Williams even said Saturday that during the regular season he told his wife and five children it would be best to stay home and avoid home games, according to Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears.
"I hear that stuff," Williams said. "My biggest worry is my family sits behind me ... there have been times where I told her to stay home. And that bothered me that I had to tell my wife and kids to stay home because our fans were booing me and we were winning games."
The Pelicans went 45-37 this season, and, surprising many, claimed the final playoff spot in the uber-competitive Western Conference. Injuries to Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon and even Anthony Davis - who missed 12 games - could have derailed that, but New Orleans ended up in the playoffs for the first time since 2011 - Williams's first season as head coach.
The much-maligned Williams said after Saturday's loss that he is "100 percent confident" he'll be back as coach next season, amid rumors of Tom Thibodeau potentially being available if he breaks up with the Chicago Bulls.
Williams has one year left on his contract and, according to Spears, there have been no talks regarding an extension. He has a 173-221 record in five seasons in New Orleans, although the middle three years were a rebuild, bridging the Chris Paul era to the emergence of Davis.
