Nine New Orleans Pelicans Questions on Chris Finch, with Locked on Nuggets’ Adam Mares

Do you think the New Orleans Pelicans can duplicate the Nuggets offensive success with the roster as currently constructed?  How important do you think resigning Jrue Holiday is to Finch’s system?

Holiday would be great but he is going to cost a lot of money. It might be best to aim for two or three role players instead of one Jrue Holiday. Shooting will be essential. The Nuggets might be looking to move on from both Wilson Chandler and Jameer Nelson.

Both guys could be short term stop gaps while other, younger prospects develop. It’s not flashy, but if the Pelicans can trust Cousins to commit long term, I’d play a slightly longer game and build toward adding versatile wings with shooting.

While Jusurf Nurkic and Anthony Davis are vastly different players, should New Orleans Pelicans fans be nervous that Chris Finch and Mike Malone couldn’t find ways to make the two ascending talents (Nurkic/Jokic) coalesce?

Not at all. This is the coolest part. I think Nurkic failed in Denver in large part because of issues between Nurkic and Malone. Nurkic is also much more of a below the rim type bruiser. Jokic and Faried, on the other hand, were one of Denver’s best pairings. Faried keeps the paint open by playing the short corner and making himself a huge threat to crash the offensive rebounds or finish a drop off once his man commits to help.

Davis does everything Faried does in that regard AND is an elite jump shooter. I think both guys are a perfect fit offensively as long as they understand the timing and spacing. Keeping the paint open is key. Duck ins and post ups will ruin the spacing and flow.

How much does Finch’s addition help the New Orleans Pelicans’ playoff odds?  

I’m not sure how much assistant coaches really impact the odds at winning. I think he will help Gentry explore interesting options on offense and there’s a good chance he elevates their potential. But the team still is a big question mark in terms of players 3-15 and no scheme is going to make E’Twaun Moore an elite player.

Prediction time.  Where do you think Jrue Holiday and Danilo Gallinari land this offseason?

I think Gallo ends up in Houston or with the Clippers. I don’t know where Jrue Holiday ends up but I don’t think it will be New Orleans. Maybe Denver will go for him and further complicate their back court by keeping Murray on the bench?  But my guess is he ends up outside of the Big Easy.

Next: Jrue Holiday: A Bird Writes, Saints Nation, PD Roundtable