These are the three key areas where the New Orleans Pelicans will look better this season.
The New Orleans Pelicans are back to work at training camp with a couple of new players and a new coaching staff. While that may not seem like much, it might be enough to push this team over the edge after a lot of struggles over the past few years.
These are three key areas where the Pelicans needed to improve and should actually look better in this season:
Defensive Consistency
After speaking to the team, one thing has become abundantly clear: heads will roll if the defensive consistency doesn’t improve this year.
Now, that is meant mostly in jest. This coaching staff is intense, but they’re also extremely respected by this group. They have a system that has been proven to work at the NBA level, which is something this team hasn’t had.
Players like Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey have loved the new approach so far. Those are two players that Joe Dumars would love everyone to follow, so it should be a good sign of the mindset that is expected of the team.
Fewer Wasted Possessions
The offense has to be better, too, it just hasn’t received as much love so far this offseason.
One key area that I believe should be better this year is fewer wasted possessions. Not just turnovers, either. A lack of cohesion and communication also led to poor decision-making all around.
Last year’s rookies, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, handled the ball a ton. Expectedly, they make a ton of mistakes. As they continue to develop, they’ll become more reliable.
Dejounte Murray will also hold the ball more this season, finally healthy, and he should provide a steadier hand as a veteran.
Three-Point Production
This one has been openly acknowledged a little bit more heading into the season, but three-point shooting has to increase in order to open space in the paint.
Bennedict Mathurin should provide a little bit more as a new addition, but they’ll also be relying on the returning players to produce more. Trey Murphy and Saddiq Bey are the two shooters who really don’t need to change anything.
It’s also not just the traditional shooters. Zion Williamson has to make 50 threes before he can leave practice in camp. Derik Queen didn’t want to give away too much of a scouting report, but it’s clear that he’s been working on his shooting as well.
Just as with the defensive side of the ball, they have the talent. They just need consistent buy-in.
