Stan Van Gundy is still trying to figure out the best combination of players for the New Orleans Pelicans starting lineup and rotations.
He hasn’t had an easy job, as early-season cold shooting from the bench has left him shorthanded, with few reliable players in the second unit.
After using Nickeil Alexander-Walker as a starter with Lonzo Ball out with injury, SVG went back to his regular starting five against the Utah Jazz.
For the most part, the starters have not been the problem, though Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe have not shot the ball well.
But moving some parts around could make it easier on the bench and allow certain players to better utilize what they do well.
Stan Van Gundy has also tinkered with some lineups that were effective in short bursts and should be used again.
New Orleans Pelicans: Who will be in the starting lineup vs. the Utah Jazz?
Stan Van Gundy needs to move things around, beginning with getting Nickeil Alexander-Walker back into the starting lineup.
•PG-Nickeil Alexander-Walker
•SG-Eric Bledsoe
•SF-Brandon Ingram
•PF-Zion Williamson
•C-Steven Adams
Lonzo Ball has looked out of place in the Pelicans’ offense lately and might benefit from getting run with a different set of guys (more on that in a minute).
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has used Steven Adams’ screens to get into the lane effectively and has played well with Eric Bledsoe.
Lonzo should still get plenty of run, but I’d rather see him with a group of guys who better fit his skill set. Right now he is just standing around the perimeter watching Brandon Ingram and Zion dribble, so why not put him out there with a group that can run, move more on offense and better use his strengths?
NAW has played better with the starters than off the bench and gives the Pels’ offense another playmaker.
The second unit is where things speed up and could be a way to get Lonzo Ball going.
New Orleans Pelicans: Should Lonzo Ball move to the bench?
A Bench built around Lonzo Ball’s strengths
I’ve written that Stan Van Gundy is not getting the most out of Lonzo Ball’s talent. One way to get him going is to move him to the bench where he can play with guys who want to move and run more than the Pelicans’ grind-it-out starting five.
•PG-Lonzo Ball
•SG-J.J. Redick
•SF-Josh Hart
•PF-Zion Williamson
•C-Jaxson Hayes
Stan Van Gundy used a similar lineup against the Kings and it looked great in two bursts in the first and third quarter. The only difference was that he used Kira Lewis Jr. at point guard.
This lineup can get out in transition, which is where Lonzo shines. Both Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes can set screens for Redick and Lonzo can find him flying off them or hit Zion as he rolls to the rim.
When Zion goes to the bench, this unit gets even faster when Brandon Ingram enters at power forward.
Again, this small-ball lineup has been effective in short bursts and is one SVG should use to generate transition points and ball movement.
When Redick goes out, NAW comes back in with Steven Adams for a lineup of Ball, NAW, Hart, Ingram and Adams.
This will allow both NAW and Lonzo to get the chance to be the primary playmakers and use what they do best, which in NAW’s case is getting to the rim and in Lonzo’s is setting up teammates in transition.
New Orleans Pelicans: Starting lineup, rotation, and minutes
Stan Van Gundy needs to shake things up with a new starting lineup and bench rotation.
Here is how I’d love to see the minutes split for the New Orleans Pelicans:
New Orleans Pelicans starting lineup:
•PG-Nickeil Alexander-Walker 30 mins
•SG-Eric Bledsoe 20-25 minutes
•SF-Brandon Ingram 35 mins.
•PF-Zion Williamson 35 mins.
•C-Steven Adams 30 mins.
New Orleans Pelicans bench:
•PG-Lonzo Ball 25-30 mins.
•SG-J.J. Redick 15 mins.
•F-Josh Hart 25-30 mins.
•C-Jaxson Hayes 15 mins.
Reserve:
•PG-Kira Lewis Jr. 5-10 mins.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a lot of talent and Stan Van Gundy is still searching for the best ways to use it.
Moving Lonzo Ball to the bench may be best for him and the team as the Pels continue to search for offense.