New Orleans Pelicans: Are we sure Stan Van Gundy was the right choice?

The New Orleans Pelicans are on a three-game skid after a collapsing loss to the Charlotte Hornets, and it’s leading some to wonder if Stan Van Gundy is the right coach for this team

The New Orleans Pelicans have turned a solid start into a disappointing one with a 118-110 loss to the Charlotte Hornets tonight. For those of you that didn’t get to see the game, I’ll let you know, it was a frustrating loss.

After going into halftime with a double-digit lead, and an offense that looked improved, the Pelicans returned in the third quarter playing sloppy basketball. That allowed the Hornets to close the gap in the 4th quarter and eventually win the game.

The New Orleans Pelicans now stand at 4-5 on the season, and the statistical analysis of this team is bleak. Even though the offense looked improved tonight, the Pelicans are still the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA. Worst than their shooting, this team has no bench scoring and lacks an identity late in games.

This is leading me to question, are we sure Stan Van Gundy was the right coach for this team?

Why the New Orleans Pelicans miscues may fall on Stan Van Gundy’s shoulders

I don’t mean to slander Stan Van Gundy, but I think we have to look objectively at the situation. We wrote earlier today that Stan Van Gundy’s offense is lacking creativity early in the season, and that’s something I saw yet again tonight.

Too often, did the Pelicans offense turn devolve into standard pick-and-roll action, or a Horns play on the elbow. Those two sets seem to be the only ones the New Orleans Pelicans nowadays, and Van Gundy has yet to add any wrinkles to those plays.

Making matters worst, the Pelicans are still turning the ball over at an alarming rate which is something Van Gundy swore to fix when he joined the team.

Now are these problems Van Gundy’s fault or has he just not seen enough from his roster to warrant being more creative? I mean sure, you could say that David Griffin didn’t do him any favors by constructing a roster that lacks shooting.

But, still, it’s safe to wonder now if Van Gundy’s the man for the job. After all, he is coaching again after being away from the NBA for three years.

So, will we see Lonzo play more off-ball or Zion in a ball-handler role? How about a look at Kira Lewis Jr? The Pelicans are entering a tough 7-game road trip now, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to start putting the pressure on Stan Van Gundy. Maybe then we’ll see some innovation.