The New Orleans Pelicans are mired in a disappointing season but they have far more reason for hope than most of teams at the bottom of the Western Conference.
The Pels have a bonafide superstar in Zion Williamson, an All-Star scoring machine in Brandon Ingram and a playmaking defender in Lonzo Ball, a trio most teams would love the chance to build around.
But the Pels are lacking just about everywhere else, and there is some question about which of their three stars can actually lead this team.
Lonzo Ball will be a restricted free agent and may not even be on the team next season, though a trade is looking less likely.
Zion and Ingram are both soft-spoken and let their play do the talking for them, which is fine, but the Pels also need a few guys who are a bit more outspoken.
When they are targeting trades and free agents, the Pels should be looking for specific qualities, as they have some glaring problems that can’t be fixed simply by adding more lottery picks.
Here are three qualities the Pels need to target in future players if they ever want to take the next step as a team.
The New Orleans Pelicans need toughness
I hate to say this, but the Pelicans might be the softest team in the NBA. Obviously, a coward like myself would never say this to their faces, but we all know it is true.
This team has very little fight in them at times, doesn’t rally around each other and gets pushed around by just about everyone.
They rarely give hard fouls even though their superstar gets hacked mercilessly every game.
They rarely knock anyone down or retaliate when they get mugged, and frankly, it’s getting old.
I’m not suggesting they should be swinging on opponents or getting into fights, but at least show some pride. Most teams will eventually use an enforcer to put some fear into the other team after their superstar takes hard fouls but the Pels just stand around and watch.
They need some players with a bit of dog in them, guys with a little bit of crazy. The Pelicans are a very likable bunch of guys, but that is the problem, they need some villains.
I’d love for them to add some players with a an old-school mentality who will stick up for their teammates and show some fire because their stars are just too laid back to do it.