Tag: Swin Cash

That’s part of Cash’s charge in New …

That’s part of Cash’s charge in New Orleans. She doesn’t want to be the only Black woman in her position in the league for long. Growing up in McKeesport, Pa., her mother and grandmother told her she’d have it twice as hard — and to suck it up and get to work. “You can’t be afraid to put women in leadership positions, just because it’s maybe not the popular thing to do, or you’re worried about women leading men,” Cash said, citing her early support of Michele Roberts to take over as executive director of the National Basketball Players Association while she was working with the WNBPA, in concert with the NBPA, as each union was trying to overhaul its existing leadership.

Cash may be a sneakerhead to the core, …

Cash may be a sneakerhead to the core, but she’s always mindful about changing into her heels as tipoff approaches: “Sometimes my back is killing me in those heels, but that’s what I’ve got to do when it’s time to get to business.” That pregame shoe swap symbolizes the duality she brings to her role as one of the most prominent members of the Pelicans’ new and improved front office. As the vice president of basketball operations, she serves as a mentor for the younger players and a refreshing new voice for a franchise eager to move on from the Anthony Davis debacle.

EVP of Basketball Operations David …

EVP of Basketball Operations David Griffin was seeking a leader who would resonate among players and senior administration alike, and he found one in a historic hire. Cash was the first woman of color to be hired in an executive role by an NBA front office. In a league in which the number of male executives of color is dwindling each year, Cash’s hire is extremely important for the Pelicans and the NBA.

When speaking to Cash and other members …

When speaking to Cash and other members of the franchise, one feels like what she’s accomplished is almost an afterthought because of everything she represents to the team. And in some way, it does feel like progress when something like “first black female executive for an NBA team” isn’t a big deal anymore. But the way she’s stepped in and become a figure so many younger fans can aspire to emulate will forge a mark that’ll last much longer than anything she accomplishes while in New Orleans. For Cash, achieving something like that has always been a dream, but her motto is “don’t worry about being the first. Just make sure you’re not the last.”

“My job is to make sure whatever door I …

“My job is to make sure whatever door I came through that other women, and women of color, recognize that those opportunities are there; they’re viable and they’re real,” she said. “That’s a responsibility I feel like I have to myself and to my family’s name, but also to all the young people out there who look up to me. In order for people to understand they can be in those spaces, they need to see people who look like them in those spaces.”

Swin Cash says she’s happy to see Lonzo Ball smiling on the court again

After battling injuries in Los Angeles, Lonzo Ball is finally at full health which Swin Cash noted has been one of the keys to his strong play.

Lonzo Ball has long maintained that getting his body right was one of the main springboards to turning the corner as a player this season, leading to his breakout year in New Orleans. After two injury-riddled seasons in Los Angeles, Ball came to the Pelicans broken down.

But after getting healthy in the off-season and playing his way back into shape, Ball has exploded over the last three months. Since returning to the lineup at the start of December, Ball is averaging 12.7 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds in 45 games while shooting 39.2% from three-point territory.

Pelicans vice president of basketball operations Swin Cash noticed how important Ball getting right physically was this season and the impact it’s had on his game. During a Pelicans Playback piece ahead of a rebroadcast of the New Orleans-Houston game on Dec. 29, Cash talked about the biggest difference in Ball’s game this season

“I would say the biggest area of growth for me is seeing Zo smile on the court. I remember one time I texted him a message at some point during the season and I was just like ‘Nice game but it was great to see you out there smiling.’ You talk about a player that literally came to us and hadn’t played for about nine months.

“But now, he’s in a rhythm, he’s feeling good, his body feels good. People don’t understand what it takes mentally and physically to get back from injury. He’s put the work in. He’s been working with our assistant coaches, he’s out there on his own. He’s getting to the basket, getting guys involved. I’m just happy to see his growth personally because as a..former athlete, you always understand that it’s mind over matter. Right now, Zo’s mind is exactly where it needs to be and everything that matters is him being positive and contributing for our team right now.”

Ball is clearly playing with a level of confidence and swagger that he has not showcased on a basketball court since his days in Chino Hills and at UCLA. And as Cash notes, he has a level of enjoyment on the court that is evident to fans.

As Ball has played better and better this season, the snowball effect has worked in a positive manner. From a purely basketball standpoint, the hiatus could not have come at a worse time as Ball was playing the best ball of his career.

[lawrence-related id=21290,21234,21222]