New Orleans Pelicans: 3 overreactions to the Pels’ winless start to season

The New Orleans Pelicans have started the season 0-3 with Zion Williamson injured on the bench, which was not the start we were looking for.

The Pelicans have mostly been terrible on both ends, including on offense, which is a bit of a surprise even with Zion out.

The Pels got a combined 50 points out of Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas against the Timberwolves, but the rest of the team scored just 39 points combined, which isn’t going to win many games in the NBA.

Here are some overreactions from the winless start and why we should all just calm down a bit and be patient with this young team.

The New Orleans Pelicans’ bench is terrible!

The Pels’ bench was a huge weakness last season and so far it has been even worse in this one. The bench scored just 12 points against Minnesota and none of the reserves have had a good game yet.

I thought one of the big differences from last season was that the Pels should have a much deeper and more versatile bench, and guess what, they do!

There is a domino effect when your best player is out with injury, as everyone has to step up a notch and take on a different role.

Don’t forget that Josh Hart has missed most of the three games as well, so when these two return, everyone else will go back to a more comfortable role.

This likely means moving a player like Devonte’ Graham or Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the bench, which will immediately improve that unit’s production.

I am not ready to panic about the bench, as they will get better as the season goes on and they are at full strength.