The New Orleans Pelicans are almost ready to play meaningful basketball. It’s been a peculiar preseason, leaving fans a lot to be desired as the exhibition games wind down.
Although select players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Trey Murphy III have looked great, the team itself has fallen short of expectations. There has been a lack of energy on the court, which many will attribute to the games feeling like they are pick-up games at LA Fitness. Even then, the Pels have a new coach, and preseason can be a valuable tool to help Willie Green sure up his rotation.
The last game against the Chicago Bulls was a startling contrast to how the team played against the Orlando Magic. The team’s defense was uninspiring, particularly getting out to the perimeter to guard the three-point line. Interior defense has been a massive problem since the departure of Anthony Davis and appears as though it’s gotten worse since last season.
Offensively, there have also been some issues I noticed. A lot of the offensive possessions players are just standing around and ball watching. The player with the ball tries to take on the defender by himself, and it looks like everyone is more worried about getting there rather than trying to play as a team.
The team will give the fans a palette cleanser tonight when they take on the Utah Jazz. Of all the coaches Willie Greene has squared up with so far, none have been of the caliber as Utah coach Quinn Snyder. It will be interesting to see what Greene tries in this final season tune-up.
How to watch/stream the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz game
Watch: Bally Sports New Orleans
Stream: NBA League Pass, YouTube TV (With NBA Package), Fubo.TV, Pelicans.com
When: 8:00 P.M C/T
New Orleans fans are ready for the new era of Pelicans basketball to start. The preseason is fun but just an appetizer for the actual meal, the season, to come.
Let’s see what this team can do against a talented Jazz roster and get ready for the season opener next week against the Philadelphia 76ers.