New Orleans Pelicans: 5 overreactions to the Pels’ 127-113 win over Bucks

New Orleans Pelicans: Overreactions to the win over Milwaukee

Overreaction #3: The Pelicans still can’t defend wings!

Ok, so this one isn’t an overreaction either.

One of the Pelicans’ biggest weaknesses last season was their inability to stop wings. Brandon Ingram looked great defensively in game 1 but fell back to earth in this one.

Khris Middleton ended the game with 29 points but the worst part was how effortless it seemed. He hit shots from all over the floor and the Pelicans had no answer but to foul and Middleton hit all eight of his free throws.

This is going to be an issue because the Pelicans have no size on the wing. Ingram can get deflections and weakside blocks, but he is not a good one-on-one defender.

They don’t really have another small forward on the team, though it appears as though Josh Hart and Sindarius Thornwell will get some time there.

They are both undersized against guys like Middleton, which is going to be an issue all season.

I hate to harp on this but Torrey Craig was retained by the Bucks for the league minimum. He could have easily carved out a role as a defensive bench wing for the Pelicans.

Instead, they signed Willy Hernangomez for more money. A guy who will not get off the bench much this season.

Someone will have to explain this one to me very slowly. Let’s move on.