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New Orleans Pelicans: The defense is getting worse
Stan Van Gundy was brought to New Orleans in part to fix the Pelicans’ woeful defense, which was among the worst in the NBA last season.
It hasn’t gone to plan.
Even though the Pels have improved slightly overall and are not giving up as many points in the paint, they are still one of the worst in the league defensively, currently ranked 27th in the NBA.
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But they’ve been even worse lately, giving up a staggering 117.9 points per game over their last ten, which would tie them for the worst in the NBA. Considering that team is the Sacramento Kings, a team with a HISTORICALLY BAD DEFENSE, this is not a good look for Stan Van Gundy and the Pelicans.
The Pels have had some injuries which have not helped, but I thought the addition of defensive specialist James Johnson might actually improve the defense, not make it worse.
When you see how the New York Knicks have improved to the 3rd-best defense in the NBA this season with a new coach, it’s hard not to be disappointed by the fact that the New Orleans Pelicans have actually taken a step back defensively.
The Knicks have given the Pelicans a blueprint for how to get there, but it is going to take some new personnel and a fresh perspective next season if the New Orleans Pelicans are going to make a similar leap as a team.