Overtime

Sports

Many questions lie ahead for the Pelicans

Overtime

Ed Daniels

The New Orleans Pelicans have changed coaches.

But, will they change philosophies?

Here’s a suggestion. Quit talking about “pace,” and talk more about defense.

It is a novel idea.

In the NBA bubble, in three of the first six games (before elimination), the Pelicans allowed 122, 126 and 140 points.

Three times, the opponent scored 77 in a half.

In the NBA, the top three teams in field goal percentage allowed are Milwaukee, Toronto and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The three won a combined 158 games in the truncated NBA season.

Can anyone recall if the three play “fast,” or if they play more half-court basketball? Didn’t think so.

The Pelicans did not appear to understand the urgency of the NBA bubble once the 22 teams gathered in quarantine in Orlando.

But, was it Gentry’s fault that Lonzo Ball shot 13 of 50 from the field in the first six bubble games?

Or, that Brandon Ingram shot only 35 percent from the field in the first six games?

Or, that Zion Williamson returned after a family emergency and was immediately put on a minutes restriction?

If Williamson, held to a strict 15 minutes in a two point loss to Utah, had played the last two minutes against the Jazz, New Orleans may have won.

The Pelicans simply did not recover after Ingram’s potential game winning three point shot rimmed out at the buzzer.

Alvin Gentry was caught up in the perfect storm.

But, was the team he coached that good?

I think the answer is no.

New Orleans won 30 of 42 games. Eleven of those wins came against teams not in the NBA bubble.

So, the Pelicans turn the page.

With a ton of questions.

Does Williamson lose weight, and put less stress on his knees?

Does the club move Lonzo Ball in the offseason, or does his stellar March before the pandemic (20 points, eight assists average in five games) count for more than his dismal output in the bubble?

Do the Pelicans trade guard Jrue Holiday, who turned 30 in June, and with a player option can earn more than $53 million in the next two seasons?

Does New Orleans use a lottery pick as bait to trade for a veteran frontcourt presence who can provide rebounding and defense?

The narrative is that the head coach was the crux of the problems, and that a new coach can come and rub a magic elixir over the franchise.

If only it were that easy.

The Pelicans cannot afford more 30 win seasons. The inability to compete for a championship eventually led to Baron Davis, Chris Paul and Anthony Davis wanting out.

And, time goes by very quickly.

It is time to build a roster around Zion Williamson that can win, big.

And, heaven forbid, play defense.

Imagine that. BC

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