The New Orleans Pelicans added former Houston Rockets assistant coach Jeff Bzdelik on Friday.
The Pelicans also hired Chris Finch and Jamelle McMillan, and promoted Joe Boylan to Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development and Michael Ruffin to Assistant coach/Player Development.
The Pelicans say Chris Finch (offense) & Jeff Bzdelik (defense) have been named Associate Head Coaches. Jamelle McMillan named assistant coach. Joe Boylan promoted to Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development. Michael Ruffin promoted to Assistant coach/Player Development.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 13, 2019
Jeff Bzdelik ran the Rockets' defense. He's a big addition to the Pelicans' coaching staff.
Some believe New Orleans can make the playoffs in 2019-20 with its revamped roster. The Pelicans drafted Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the 2019 NBA Draft, acquired Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade, signed JJ Redick in free agency and traded for Derrick Favors from the Utah Jazz.
Nothing is set in stone, but New Orleans will likely start Jrue Holiday, Redick, Ingram, Williamson and Favors. That's a pretty good starting five.
Because the Western Conference is going to be a bloodbath at the top, the Pelicans will likely compete for one of the lower seeds. The team will go as far as Holiday can take them. He's now the best player in New Orleans since Davis is gone.
Bzdelik is going to enjoy working with Holiday and Ball, two elite perimeter defenders. Look for the Pelicans to be one of the better defensive teams in the league moving forward.
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