The New Orleans Pelicans started the training camp as the 14th youngest team and got even younger once the regular season started. First, Jordan Hawkins was forced into a bigger role than expected following Trey Murphy III's injury. Then the Zion Williamson-led Crescent City crew rose to 10th youngest when accounting for minutes played by Matt Ryan (26) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (23).
Between injuries and youth for the Pelicans, the results have been a mixed bag.
However, though the Pelicans lack experience, this team also lacks energy when working on less than two days' rest. The young legs look sluggish and need extra rest to win games regardless of opponent. It's a concerning trend now over 20 games into the 2023-23 NBA season.
New Orleans already have enough trouble finding wins away from the Smoothie King Center. The schedule might ease up soon, but this is a tough, possibly title-winning type of week. The Pelicans are sitting at 3-6 on the road before an NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinal road game against the Sacramento Kings.
Pelicans facing ‘crucial' early season stress test
Coach Willie Green believes New Orlean's matchup with the Kings is an early season elimination game stress test, via the team's pregame show.
“It's crucial for young players and a young team. You get to experience an elimination game during the regular season which we don't normally get in the NBA,” Green said. So this is a great experience for us.”
“They get to see the crowd, the intensity of the game, the physicality of the game,” Green continued. “The margin for error becomes smaller so execution and focus are extremely important things to be a playoff team.”
The Pelicans are one of four teams that have not won a game (0-4) when dealing with a rest disadvantage. They are 1-3 with no rest and 0-3 as a betting favorite on the road. Veterans Jonas Valanciunas and Brandon Ingram shouldering a lot of the burdens. Ingram leads the team in points and assists; Valanciunas tops the rebounding and blocks charts. Green's squad is ninth-oldest when adjusting for age per point and just average (12th) in pace.
Being able to run teams off of the court was an assumed strength of the Pelicans during training camp. James Borrego's playbook slows down some of Green's point-five-second offensive philosophies. Either that or Williamson and Brandon Ingram are still thinking more than just going on quick reaction instincts.
It gets worse. The Pelicans are the third-worst team in the second half of games. Sure, there have been a few blowouts but that goes both ways. Williamson and Ingram have been available almost every night. Young legs forced into the starting lineup (Jordan Hawkins) or finally getting in the game during garbage minutes (Kira Lewis Jr.) should be able to run for all 48 minutes. Instead, New Orleans is 23rd on offense and 24th on defense in the fourth quarter.
Green shared before the elimination game tipoff that dealing with the roster's everchanging availability.
“It's a revolving door sometimes, you know, with navigating some injuries and guys being out. I think every team to a degree has to deal with that at some point,” Green said. “It's also a blessing to be getting these guys back at the right time.”
“So we'll get CJ, we'll get Trey back tonight and we'll go after it. That's the main thing for us. Just make sure we can focus on what we can control,” Green continued. Go out with the best foot forward and try to win.”
Follow Us
Subscribe