NEW ORLEANS – Even though the New Orleans Pelicans currently sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, it might be time for a change.
Head Coach Willie Green recently told reporters that he’s open to tinkering with the starting lineup, who haven’t been able to gel as he hoped. Across their 291 minutes on the court together, New Orleans’s starting five — CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas — has posted a -3.6 net rating.
The lineup’s main struggle comes on the defensive end, where they allow a 120.7 defensive rating, which would rank dead last among NBA teams. Outside of Herbert Jones, none of the squad’s starters are strong defenders. Teams target the pairing of CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas, particularly exploiting their lack of mobility and explosion in the pick and roll. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram’s defensive effort wax and wane from night to night, and sometimes from possession to possession.
Herb Jones harbors tremendous defensive responsibility with the starters. He’s their primary on-ball defender and their primary rim-protector. With Dyson Daniels and/or Trey Murphy on the floor with Jones, the calculus changes. All lineups including two of the three have strong positive net ratings. Moving Daniels or Murphy into the starting lineup would solve pertinent defensive problems.
When Daniels defends the ball, Jones can laser on off-ball disruption. Preventing penetration helps Valanciunas defend the rim more effectively. And even with Daniels’ offensive limitations, the Pelicans will have plenty of offensive firepower. Murphy isn’t the defender Daniels is, but his spacing unlocks myriad options offensively.
With one of the wings ascending to the starting lineup, CJ McCollum likely will ride the pine, acting as a super-sixth man. McCollum may be best to anchor a bench lineup, his shotmaking and improved passing shining with New Orleans’ complementary pieces. He carries the offensive load while players like Jones, Marshall, Daniels and Larry Nance cover for him defensively.
The Pelicans’ starters are prone to stagnation on offense, too often devolving into “your turn my turn” offense with the stars going at opposing defenses one by one. That lack of offensive cohesion leads to cold stretches. With fewer mouths to feed on offense, the Pelicans stick to their principles and spacing. The bench offense has flourished, especially with CJ at the helm.
Loading the floor with four potent offensive threats, all who like the ball in their hands, has led to diminishing returns. There’s some truth to the idea that there’s only one ball. Stacking too many handlers can cause friction. Ultimately, though, positioning the Pelicans’ arsenal of offensive weapons is a good problem to have. It’s a fixable one with a few minor tweaks and could return major dividends for New Orleans down the line.
Analysis by Ben Pfeifer
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Meh..if the ball “sticks” with anyone, it is with BI when things aren’t going well for him. And you have now shrunk spacing by subtracting CJ and adding DD. With DD, BI, Zion and Val on the floor, you literally have sucked the air out of the gym. Other teams might just as well play UVA’s pack-man defense against the Pels. Might as well move Zion to the second unit if you are going to do this, where at least he could be paired with Trey and the rook–that unit would destroy other teams second units.
What you gain in one area, you lose in another. I respectfully disagree with having Dyson starting. Is he a better defensive player than CJ? Absolutely. Offensively? Not even close. Putting Dyson out there to start will damage floor spacing which has been working well for Pels last month or so, and will also hurt us offensively. Teams will dare him to shoot. The last 4 games Dyson is 2 for 10 for a combined 4 points in 60 minutes of playing time. Since CJ has returned, the Pels have gone from a record of 9-9 to 26-18 and top 5 I believe in offensive efficiency and 3 point shooting during that time. His leadership is also a plus. I agree they may lose some defensively with CJ out there, but I feel starting CJ helps us more offensively than hurt us defensively
Moving Hawk to the starting lineup for CJ give you a bigger back court, spacing for Z and BI, a more active defender and rebounder and you lose no offense. The second line would have CJ’s experience and ability to score combined with Trey’s as the deep threat.
The problem becomes getting buy in from CJ. If they can get past starter vs bench and see it as a better combination that benefits everyone. How many teams would have an answer for CJ and Trey coming off their bench.
One thing should not be overlooked. The Pels have done a very nice job with the draft and adding other players to the roster. Obviously Zion, but Trey, Hawk, Herb, and I even include DD (who clearly has shooting struggles but who I get irritated that so many folks have given up on so early. And that doesn’t include Naji and Jose. I hope we don’t just throw picks at other teams to add another piece.
I would rather let this year play out and then see what we need going forward after the year is over. We aren’t winning the ‘chip this year, but this year can be a good measuring stick of where we are and what we need to continue to move up.
I think I like OKC’s future a lot better than I do the Pels.
OKC has a great nucleus around SGA and Chet. Chet has surprised me (in a good way)
OKC is young, full of cheap contracts, at the top of the west and as of now look like they will have two lottery picks in the upcoming draft. If they are for real the Pels have their work cut out for them the next few to several years. Pianoguy better not waste his first round picks like he does his second rounders.
I was wrong… the Pels simply do not have the pieces to compete with upper echelon teams. No shot creators, no ball handlers. no rim protectors, no physicality.
And no coaching. Ball movement tonight horrible. Only 20 assists. Willie doesn’t get it and why no TMIII tonight. He wasn’t on injury report. He was punished tonight. “Go stand in the corner Trey.” This is such a Jeckyl and Hyde team. And now we’re going to Boston to face a pissed off Celtics who got blown out tonight.
I wouldn’t mind sending CJ to Atlanta for Murray…a big guard that can defend with Herb and still provide on the offensive side of the ball