On paper, the Pelicans should have significant defensive problems. Their three primary offensive stars harbor major defensive limitations and the team lacks a dominant presence defending the rim. Yet, in spite of these factors, New Orleans’ rolled out the sixth-best defense in the league last season (112.5 DRTG). While defense even more than offense is a team game, no player contributes more to this success than Herb Jones.
New Orleans struck gold in 2021, drafting a defensive dynamo in Jones in the early second round. Throughout his first two NBA seasons, Jones has been one of the NBA’s most impactful defenders, earning all defense votes in years one and two. Few rookies and sophomores receive all defensive consideration. Even fewer achieve that status in their first two seasons.
Incredible Instincts
Jones’ defensive playmaking fuels New Orleans’ turnover-heavy defense. His 2.6% steal rate landed in the 96th percentile and his 2.1% block rate ranked among the top 25 non-bigs last year. Jones disrupts the flow of NBA offenses with his all-league instincts, awareness and athletic tools. At 6’8 with a seven-foot wingspan, defenses struggle to pass around Jones’ length. He sits in passing lanes waiting for errant balls to come his way and mucks up driving paths helping one pass away.
Though his rim protection isn’t elite, Jones’ instincts extend to his back line defense, rotating down to help out his teammates. New Orleans’ defense is fast and aggressive and mistakes are inevitable in this style, even from Jones. Sometimes he gambles a bit too hard and he can struggle guarding quicker players who change directions and slither around screens.
Most impressive of all, though, is Jones’ defensive versatility. Willie Green entrusts Jones with star-level defensive responsibility, sending Jones to pick up 94 feet and defend the rim as a back-line defender in the same quarter. The Pelicans are loaded with defensive talent on the wing — Dyson Daniels, Naji Marshall, Trey Murphy — and none exemplify the way they create havoc and stifle offensive plans like Herb Jones does.
Becoming a Complimentary Offensive Weapon
On offense, Jones looks more like the young, inexperienced player that he is. Though Jones made incremental skill progression in year two, he struggled to impact the game off-ball due to his weak scoring game. The three-ball is unreliable (33.5% on 3.1 attempts per 75 possessions last season) as is his driving game.
Last season, Jones progressed as a handler and a passer, looking more comfortable putting the ball on the floor and making decisions. He isn’t effective as a spot-up driver because of the shooting woes but Jones expanded his pick-and-roll game as well as his cutting. With a head of steam, Jones has the speed to slash into the paint and go up at the rim, draw a foul or pass to one of his cutting teammates.
Progressing his floater would help Jones squeeze more value out of his free-throw line cuts to the rim, forcing defenders to step out and play him more tightly. Jones would become an even more dangerous slasher and passer. Drawing more defensive attention opens up passing windows and Jones has NBA level vision and skill, delivering laydowns and dropoffs with creative deliveries.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of any offensive woes, Herb Jones brings an invaluable defensive presence to the New Orleans Pelicans. With Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum appearing healthier than last season, Jones’ work as defensive glue will be more important than ever.
Written by contributor Ben Pfeifer.
READ MORE
- Zion, Pelicans Save Their Best For Last and Beat Magic 104-92
- Dyson Daniels Needed For More Than Defense In Year 2
- Pelicans Open Preseason With 105-122 Loss To Magic
- Pelicans Look To Unlock Dynamic Offensive Potential Of Dereon Seabron
- Pelicans Begin 5th Preseason of the Zion Era with Matchup Versus Magic
- Making a Difference: How Larry Nance Jr. Elevates the Pelicans’ Second Unit
- New Orleans Pelicans Better Positioned to Handle Adversity
- EJ Liddell’s Defensive Prowess: How He Could Augment the Pelicans’ Defense
- Can Jordan Hawkins Be A Real Shooting Option Off the Bench in 2023-24?
- How James Borrego Could Boost Pelicans’ Offense
Herb can’t guard 5 positions or play 48 minutes a night. Dice needs to take a step up, as does TM3
Would love to see more preseason-game-4-effort from Zion Williamson. Because of his natural ability, he’s easily got the best chance to make a positive defensive impact in the starting lineup
With the season starting right around the corner it is my hope this squad can break the fifty win barrier. May health be on our side this season too. God knows we deserve it.
I don’t know what the deal is but I can’t see my comments when posted. I love the site but the interaction is missing. I suspect it’s on my end as I’ve never been able to see my comments since they move away from the previous host.