Pelicans: Have the Pels improved their shooting? A look at each position
New Orleans Pelicans: Forwards
Last season the Pelicans had Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Nicolo Melli, James Johnson, Zion, and Naji Marshall as their forward group, hardly an imposing bunch when it comes to long-range shooting but very efficient in the mid-range and near the rim.
This group hasn’t changed a whole lot after the Pelicans re-signed Josh Hart, as they will still have B.I. and Marshall. The difference is that Trey Murphy III will play some at forward, as will Didi Louzada and possibly Herbert Jones if he ends up making the final roster.
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Getting rid of Melli is enough to help any team’s shooting, as he was absolutely awful the last two years. James Johnson doesn’t shoot much so the Pels haven’t lost anything.
The Pelicans will instead look for internal improvements from their own guys, as they need Ingram to shoot more 3-pointers, need Hart to make more of the ones he does shoot, and need Marshall to be more than just a defender when he is out there.
Can Naji Marshall be a consistent 3-point shooter? Can Josh Hart find another level? Without one or both of these things happening, I can’t say that the Pels have really improved much here.
Verdict: Same