New Orleans Pelicans: One thing to learn from each Conference Finalist

New Orleans Pelicans: One thing to learn from the Denver Nuggets

Playmakers come in all sizes

The Denver Nuggets often use their 7-foot, slow-footed center as their point guard and it works.

Nikola Jokic is one of the best passers and playmakers in the NBA and he does it without the ability to beat people off the dribble or jump out of the gym.

The Pelicans should learn that playmakers can come in all sizes and you don’t need your guards to initiate the offense.

The Pelicans could play a similar style to Denver if they use Zion the same way the Nuggets use Jokic.

The two are very different players, but both have a strong post game that they can use to create space for their teammates. Zion still has a long way to go as a passer, but he could be the type of player that starts the offense from the elbow or top of the key.

Right now Zion mostly relies on bull strength to get to the rim where no one can stop him, but if he adds passing to his game, he will create space for his teammates and open up a ton of 3-pointers for the shooters and dunks for the cutters, the same way Jokic does for Denver.

The Pels could also choose to try and find their own Jokic style big and there are some interesting ones available in this year’s draft.

Centers have to do more than stand in the lane in today’s NBA and the Nuggets are showing what you can do when your bigs can pass and make plays.