The New Orleans Pelicans’ current woes shouldn’t come as a surprise. Despite the team’s talent, they’re underperforming in a way that’s both disappointing and frustrating. The root of these issues can be traced back to last season, where fundamental problems went unaddressed.
Our offense, which struggled last year, remains isolation-based and predictable. We didn’t make necessary changes, believing that health alone would solve our problems. Even when we are at full strength, our process is flawed. This isolation-heavy approach makes us easy to defend and leaves us vulnerable when key players are sidelined.
The acquisition of Dejounte Murray was meant to provide insurance and help close games. However, it’s not working as intended because our offensive issues run deeper than just needing a new point guard. We need to rebuild our offensive strategy from the ground up.
Our lack of urgency has been a persistent problem. Earlier in the season, there were opportunities to learn from close losses and make corrections. Unfortunately, we failed to build on those experiences, leaving us in our current predicament.
Injuries Are Not an Excuse
While injuries have played a role in our struggles, they can’t be used as a crutch. Look at the Orlando Magic, who’ve lost their two best players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, yet still manage to sit third in the Eastern Conference. They’ve shown resilience and an ability to adapt that we’re sorely lacking.
The Magic’s success in adversity highlights our own shortcomings in culture and identity. It’s clear that injuries alone don’t explain our poor performance – there are deeper issues at play.
Offensive Woes and Turnover Troubles
Our offensive struggles are evident in the numbers. We rank 29th in offense and have the third-worst assist-to-pass percentage in the league. This isn’t just about missing shots; it’s about a lack of movement and cohesion on the court.
Dejounte Murray’s recent performances exemplify our issues. While his scoring has been solid, his high turnover numbers (eight in each of the last two games) are concerning. This isn’t entirely on Murray – it’s a symptom of our stagnant offense and lack of off-ball movement.
We need to address these fundamental issues now, not just for this season, but to set ourselves up for success next year. It’s time for some serious self-reflection and potentially significant changes if we want to compete at the level we’re capable of.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pelicans’ struggles and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
• Trade rumors and potential roster changes
• Analysis of recent game performances
• The impact of injuries on team dynamics
