The New Orleans Pelicans are indecisive and conservative on offense, that’s why they’re losing
For New Orleans Pelicans fans, tonight was another night of frustration. After having a 16 point lead, the team lost again to the Utah Jazz, bringing their record to 5-9 on the season.
The feelings of the game were ones that fans know all too well this season. The Pelicans start the game strong early, looking poised on both ends of the floor. Then, the team faces adversity, and rather than respond to it, they shudder from it.
This happens on both ends of the floor, but I think it’s especially present in the team’s offense. Right now, this offense lacks the decision-making and aggression needed to be successful in the modern NBA.
I like to think about them as a poor football team that scripts its opening drives. These Pelicans always come out playing strong offense and running efficient sets, as a lot of football teams do in the first quarter. However, once the players are asked to create for themselves and execute the system, they fail. Why?
Why lack of aggression is causing the New Orleans Pelicans to lose games
It goes back to what I originally said, decision-making and aggression. Too often tonight did members of the Pelicans receive the ball and not know what to do with it. A few of these instances stood out to me in particular.
Lonzo Ball continues to be the mainstay of this mentality. He had an open lane to the basket when the game was contested in the second quarter, and instead of driving to the basket for an easy two points, he hesitates and dishes the ball out to Eric Bledsoe.
Later in the game, Lonzo received the ball for an easy catch-and-shoot look, and instead of taking it, he dribbled forward and took a poor mid-range shot. Ball’s not the only one causing these problems though.
Eric Bledsoe isn’t confident in his outside shot either, and he hesitates to them when he’s open. And for all of Brandon Ingram’s greatness, he’s still getting into the habit of settling for bad shots.
This mentality is leaving the New Orleans Pelicans’ offense disjointed, and that’s killing their ability to win games. It’s why fans are pining to see Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr. more because they’re young and hungry.
Make no mistake, this issue is on the Pelicans’ coaching staff as much as it is the players, and it’s up to this team as a unit to sit down and figure out how to get themselves on track before this season turns into another disappointment.