New Orleans Pelicans Hiring Jamahl Mosley Was Music To Herb Jones' Ears

New Orleans Pelicans guard Herb Jones has made a career in the NBA on the defensive end of the court. It should be no surprise that he was very happy about the team hiring a head coach who wants to emphasize that.

When asked about his first impressions and what stood out about new head coach Jamahl Mosley, it was made clear that Jones is a fan of the choice his team made.

"His intensity and his attention to detail. I'm a defensive guy myself, so him coming in with that defense-first mindset was music to my ears," said Jones.

The Pelicans are essentially starting over on the defensive side of the ball. Joe Dumars' comments about the team's lack of toughness rang strongly throughout the offseason. Without making many changes to the roster, he expects Mosley to be able to change that.

 "We have more than enough toughness," said Jones. Now, this season will be about embracing this new culture, which has apparently resonated with most of the team. Jones was one of many players who talked about the recent struggles as motivators, which have this squad ready to do the hard work.

In the past, a lot of that toughness has come through the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout, as he has been the heart and soul on that side of the ball. Throughout every year of his career, New Orleans has been at least four points better per 100 possessions with him on the court. Two years ago, that mark was 11.7 and last season it was 6.5.

Jones actually isn't someone who is considered an absolute lock to begin the year in the starting lineup, but it would be a shock to see Mosley not take advantage of everything that wing does on that side of the ball. Many of the defensive principles that Mosley is asking his players to adopt, Jones already brings.

About to turn 28, Jones is one of the older players on the team. He is someone that his teammates will certainly be looking up to on the defensive side of the ball. Two-way undrafted rookie Malik Dia spoke about how much of a help the veteran has been at the start of his young career.

This season won't just be about helping others, though, as the Tuscaloosa native is trying to work on his own game as well. One thing that would certainly help is adding to what he brings to the offensive side of the floor as a shooter.

"[The focus this summer was continuing] to improve my jumper. I did a lot of shooting and a lot of ball handling this summer. Working on my body and different things to be ready for whatever coach needs me to do or the team needs me to do," said Jones.

Back in 2023/2024, Jones shot 41.8% from three. The last two years, though, that has dropped to 30.8%. Anything this team can do to improve their spacing could shift things, and this is a solution that stands out.

Either way, Jones should continue to be hard to take off the floor. If everyone around him ups their defensive intensity to complement his, the Pelicans could look like a very different team.