New Orleans Pelicans: Nickeil Alexander-Walker must improve in the pick-and-roll.
The Pick-and-Roll
One of the reasons the Thunder are so good in the clutch is that they run the pick-and-roll as well as anyone in the league.
Obviously, Chris Paul is a big part of this, as he is a surgeon in the half court and almost always makes the right pass.
But SGA Is also a big part of their success. He averages 1.02 points per possession in the pick-and-roll, which is better than Ja Morant in case you were wondering.
SGA is able to use picks to get his mid-range jumpers and floaters, and has become much better popping out for spot-up jumpers when he is not the primary ball handler.
NAW has a pretty good point guard in Lonzo Ball and it would be nice for them to develop a two-man game in the pick-and-roll, as both have the size to be effective, especially if NAW starts dropping more of those mid-range jumpers and floaters like his cousin.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a number of candidates in the second unit who could be effective PNR partners, particularly J.J. Redick, whose ability to shoot the 3-pointer would open up the lane for NAW’s penetration.
NAW’s size and ability to get to the rim could make him deadly in the pick-and-roll, so it’s something he must improve if he wants to make the leap.
NAW has an intriguing set of skills and if he improves, the Pelicans have a chance to be much better without disrupting their core or making a splashy trade.
NAW should spend this offseason working on his handles, his mid-range jumper and pick-and-rolls and the Pels may just have the next SGA.