Pelicans: 3 Ways Kira Lewis Jr. can be used in Stan Van Gundy’s offense

Kira Lewis Jr. could be the key to Stan Van Gundy unlocking a devasting small-ball lineup with the New Orleans Pelicans

#3- Small-Ball

The modern NBA is all about play positionless basketball and that’s exactly where the New Orleans Pelicans could be trending with the selection of Kira Lewis Jr. In many ways, I think it could signal the New Orleans Pelicans running their own version of the Golden State Warrior’s “death lineup”.

It would like this. Kira Lewis Jr. running the point, Lonzo Ball playing shooting guard, and Josh Hart operating as the small forward with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson commanding the frontcourt. Would it work?

I’m not sure but I think Stan Van Gundy will try it especially after he spent a couple of seasons away from coaching and watching the Warriors wreak havoc on the league as a commentator for TNT. If it does work, it could be genius and make Kira Lewis Jr.’s selection look brilliant.

Just think about it, that Pelicans lineup can in spurts overwhelm their opponents with pure speed and athletism. Teams who play traditional or bigger lineups will then struggle to keep up and find themselves open to an offensive attack that would see quick drives on fastbreaks by speedy guards, easy lobs at the rim to one of the most athletic players in the NBA, and a barrage of 3 pointers.

The Pelicans could be down by five points in a game, release that attack and then suddenly be up by nearly twenty points on their opponent if they could figure out how to harness and use that lineup properly.

The key to it would be Lewis, without Lewis’ generational speed this attack wouldn’t work as well, no question about it. Lewis’ speed meshes perfectly with Lonzo Ball’s and the athletic abilities of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

Now, do you see what I see Pelicans fans? Kira Lewis Jr. may not have been the right pick or the guy I wanted but if utilized properly in Stan Van Gundy’s system, he could be an X-factor on this team and help guide them to playoff contention in the Western Conference.