Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: 3 New Year’s Resolutions to set team for great 2020

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 15: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans smile during a game against the Orlando Magic on December 16, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 15: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans smile during a game against the Orlando Magic on December 16, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 13: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 116-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 13: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 116-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Keep pushing the development of Lonzo Ball as the team’s leading ball-handler, even in the sloppy moments.

Just when it looked like this team might have to start really thinking about pulling the alarm on their leading guard experiment, Lonzo Ball showed great signs of progression and has really given this team a new edge on the offensive end.

Granted, the sample size of amazing Lonzo Ball performance is limited, especially when considering the handful of absolute clunkers on his resume this season.

However, there was too much life in Lonzo’s 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to overlook, especially as he played the role of leading man in the 127-112 win over the Houston Rockets.


Over the last six games, a stretch where the New Orleans Pelicans have been 5-1 and Lonzo has checked in for 27.9 minutes per contest but posted a robust 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Also continuing to look even better from three-point range, shooting 43.9% on 6.8 attempts from behind the arc over the six games, Ball is now shooting 36.1% from three on the season.

What’ll likely be the most important continued development point from Ball will be his tenacity to attack and create going downhill. Standing 6’6″ with a 190 LBS, muscular frame, Lonzo is unique in his combination of size, strength, and court vision.

Still shooting a career-low 20.4% of his shots from within three feet, Ball is completing 60.7% of his looks around the rim.

Per Cleaning the Glass, Lonzo Ball ranks in the 37th percentile in looks around the rim among his position group in terms of frequency but ranks in 65th percentile in terms of accuracy from that area.

Heading into 2019-2020, the New Orleans Pelicans would love to see Lonzo get more frequent looks around the rim, but overall, they just need to see his continued advancement.

With Alvin Gentry expressing interest in moving Jrue Holiday off-ball and the return of Zion Williamson, Lonzo is about to receive the keys to the offense as long as the play stays somewhat consistent over the next few weeks. It seems like a smart move, as Ball could use the reps to help progress his own development.

dark. Next. Lonzo has best night as pro, hits 7 threes on Rockets

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