Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry:
On his thoughts about the win:
“It was definitely a good team win. AD is really playing at an MVP-type level and what he does, he opens up the game for everybody. It was a good win for us, and we just keep looking to see how we are doing defensively. They shot 42 percent and we matched them in rebounds, which is really tough to do with this team. They’re a very good offensive rebounding team. I thought we fought hard on the boards. We did give up 18 offensive rebounds, we gave up maybe 5 or 6 of them in the last six minutes of the game. I thought it was just a total team effort and we did a really good job. At some stage or another, everybody stepped up. That’s the way we have to play collectively to be good.”
On if the success is the way he envisioned this team when he became coach:
“I thought that we would be able to play that way tempo-wise, and then by spreading the floor. The thing that you don’t see, if you look at Ryan’s (Anderson) line just to get up, he just creates so many more things for other people on the floor because they have to close out immediately to open up the driving lane. So he makes it easier for Tyreke (Evans), Jrue (Holiday), and Norris (Cole). So this is kind of like what I envisioned, being able to run guys and spread the floor.”
Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday:
On the quick start:
“Well we didn’t have the best start last game and we knew we had to play better. Anthony, Norris, and Tyreke really started well and that gave us a little cushion as the game went on.”
On moving Norris Cole into the starting lineup:
“I am for what is best for the team. Norris has been playing well and has started some. I think when Tyreke has been out, Norris has started. So it is nothing new for him, everyone is going to get some minutes.”
Pelicans forward Alonzo Gee:
On why the Pelicans are playing better:
“We are buying into the system and learning from our mistakes. If we do not repeat mistakes, we can get better.”
On if winning can carry momentum moving forward:
“Well, we just have to take it one game at a time and try and get a win when we can. Our next game against Milwaukee will be challenging and we have to be ready to go Saturday.”
Pistons Coach Stan Van Gundy:
On lack of sustaining great energy:
“We didn’t have great energy and effort the first half. Wow…It was deplorable. It was deplorable. It really was. The last four times we have been on the road on the second night of a back-to-back were at Lakers, at Charlotte, at Atlanta after the Miami game and tonight. And in none of those games did we give a good effort or come ready to play. And so now we had a great effort against Golden State, we came back and gave nothing against Chicago. And then we got a good win last night and came back and gave nothing tonight. We look like a team that is firmly committed to being mediocre.”
On the defensive performance:
“I thought in the first half we played nine guys. I thought one guy put out a good effort defensively. I thought Aron Baynes tried hard, and I thought the other eight guys virtually put nothing into it on anything. Playing your man, pick-and-roll defense, weak-side help. We didn’t put anything into it. You know we didn’t put anything into it.”
Pistons forward Marcus Morris:
On team’s effort:
“We’re not really trying. We are coming out with no energy. Everybody has to hold each other accountable. We come out and aren’t playing hard on both sides of the ball. After a while it gets real old.”
On moving forward to the next game:
“We continue to talk about it, but nothing has changed. I don’t know what it is. I feel like it’s not on offense but on defense.”
Pistons guard Reggie Jackson:
On the energy in the first half:
“I don’t know, I literally have no idea what happened. It is tough to talk about. We have got to find ways to be better and play more consistent. We didn’t come out with a great effort tonight and that won’t get it done.”
On the lack of energy around the team:
“I have no doubt that this team still has commitment. We have to come out with fresh legs and good energy, and be well rested. This team can do great things if we play together for the entire 48 minutes.”
