New Orleans Pelicans: Major strengths and weaknesses entering 2021

The New Orleans Pelicans 3 point shooting might be too streaky to consider it a reliable weapon this season

Weakness #2- 3 Point Shooting/Spacing

I’ll admit, I don’t think the New Orleans Pelicans will be one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the NBA this season, but I am concerned about their spacing and shooting. It’s another item that I wrote about recently, but I’m happy to dive into it one more time.

See, I’m not quite sure how the Pelicans will optimally space the floor when Zion Williamson and Steven Adams are both starting. Now, I don’t think they necessarily need to in order to win, but it might get tough when facing some teams who like go bombs away from deep.

What’s more concerning to me though, is that last year’s Pelicans team was good at shooting from deep because they attempting a lot of 3 point shots playing in an uptempo system, and players like Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram ended up shooting career highs. What happens now if Stan Van Gundy slows the pace down? And can the Pelicans rely on streaky shooters like Ball and Bledsoe to be consistent?

Those are two of the most serious questions I have about the team entering next season, and I think it might make it a rough go to open the season this year. That means it could cost the Pelicans games and they might need to consider either inserting Josh Hart or J.J. Redick into the starting line-up or adding another shooter at the trade deadline.

That’s where the season stands right now for the New Orleans Pelicans, a couple of clear strengths and few clear weaknesses. Let’s see how training camp and the start of the season goes for this team before we make any bold judgments.