New Orleans Pelicans: One Thing for Each Player to Improve During Hiatus

The Rotation Players

The New Orleans Pelicans’ bench rotation was up and down all season. At times they carried the team, but at others, could not knock down a shot.

The bench 3-point shooting was exposed after Redick went down and will have to get better if the Pelicans want to compete in the Western Conference.

Here is one thing for each rotation player to improve.

Frank Jackson, Point Guard

The New Orleans Pelicans will have a tough decision on Frank Jackson. He is a free agent this offseason and has shown enough to entice another team to make him an offer.

Jackson has looked great at times. He can get to the rim and finish and has shown that he is not afraid of the big moment.

He had a couple of nice games just before the hiatus and was making the Pelicans’ decision even tougher.

Like most of the bench, Jackson must improve his 3-point shooting. He shot just 32.5 percent from long-range this season.

With his ability to beat people off the dribble, teams have to sag off Jackson, giving him open looks from the perimeter. If he can start knocking those down more consistently, he’ll be a tough cover with his speed.

Jackson took a step backwards this season and it’s very possible the Pelicans will let him walk in free agency, but an improved 3-point shot would make him a valuable backup point guard.

E’Twaun Moore, Shooting Guard

E’Twaun Moore is another guy who may have played his final game for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Moore was having a good season off the bench, though his 3-point average had dipped to 37.5 percent, down from 43.2 percent the year before.

Moore often set the tone defensively for the Pelicans’ bench and was a calming veteran presence, especially after the loss of Redick to injury.

It wasn’t just Uncle E’s 3-point percentage that went down, he was shooting just 42.4 percent from the field overall, a low-point in his career as a Pelican.

Moore needs to improve his shooting around the rim. Moore’s offensive rebounding percentage was up this year, but he was often missing the put backs.

Moore can shoot the rock but needs to be more consistent, especially around the rim.

Nicolo Melli, Power Forward

Nicolo Melli was having a good season off the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench. He was shooting 36.1 percent on 3-point shots and averaging 6.8 points in just over 17 minutes a game.

Melli had definitely hit a wall prior to the hiatus, as he shot combined 7 of 34 from 3-point range for a paltry 20.5 percent after going 6 for 7 against the Warriors for his biggest game of the year.

Melli needs to improve his consistency from behind the arc, as the Pelicans need him to stretch the floor to give Zion, Ingram and Ball room to operate.

Melli seemed to wear down as the season went on and it affected his shot. He needs to get into better shape in the offeason to avoid this breakdown.

Tired legs equal short shots, so Melli needs to be in better condition to improve his consistency.

Josh Hart, Shooting Guard

Josh Hart was enjoying his best season as a professional, averaging 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

His defensive versatility and ability to grab boards allowed the New Orleans Pelicans to go small at times, which is what they want to do.

Hart is the most important player on the Pelicans’ bench, as he is not only productive, but on one of the most team-friendly contracts in the NBA.

But like Melli, Hart was inconsistent down the stretch.

He had games like this on his birthday:

But before his birthday party he had shot just 7 of 35 from long-range in the previous seven games for a pedestrian 20 percent.

Hart’s 3-point average had dipped to 34.2 percent, but he needs to be closer to the 39.6 mark he had in his rookie season with the Lakers.

Hart is not a big concern, as he does plenty of valuable things for the New Orleans Pelicans, but like most young players, he just needs more consistency.

J.J. Redick, Shooting Guard

Redick’s value to the New Orleans Pelicans became blatantly obvious after he was out with an injury.

The bench production dropped dramatically and the Pelicans really missed his veteran leadership.

This is a young team and Redick often kept them focused, especially defensively, where the Pelicans often have lapses.

Redick is 35 and still one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, so I won’t waste breath telling a veteran what to improve.

Redick just needs to be healthy, as he will still be making over $13 million next season and needs to produce off the Pelicans’ bench.

Redick is using his downtime to launch a bookclub, which is a great idea while he heals.