The New Orleans Pelicans have been an identity-less team for the majority of the 2025-26 NBA season. Following Wednesday night's win over the Toronto Raptors, interim head coach James Borrego was asked about the team's identity, and he said that the way they played against the Raptors is the goal all the time.
"That's the blueprint... physical, aggressive, defensive, disruptive, a big physical team. That is what we're looking to build... We have built habits to get to this point and now it's about not letting up," said Borrego.
Anyone familiar with Pelicans President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars knows that this type of cultural identity being instilled in the team should come as no surprise. Dumars spent the prime of his career playing off of Isiah Thomas with the 'Bad Boy' Detroit Pistons. When you look at that team, Dumars was probably the only non-dirty, non-nasty player, but he still played with a toughness that made him a perfect fit for their culture.
New Orleans hasn't embodied that tough culture the whole season, but as Borrego said, they showed it against Toronto and, in my eyes, have been showing it ever since Dejounte Murray returned. So, with the goal for the rest of the season being to build towards the 2026-27 campaign, the Pelicans' newfound identity is laying a blueprint for the future.
The Pelicans may have finally found their identity
Whether you want to classify the Pelicans as a rebuilding team or a team just in the midst of a down season, one thing remains true. When you're having either of those types of seasons, being able to find your identity and build a culture is extremely important, as it puts a team ahead of the curve for next season. It also ensures the same results don't repeat themselves the following season.
The last thing the Pelicans fan base wants is another bottom-eight finish, and the 7-4 record since the All-Star break suggests the team is building something that could change that.
With Murray at the helm, running things from the point, this team is really starting to show the blueprint of what Borrego and Dumars want this team to be. When Murray hits a three and starts talking smack, that reflects the same 'Bad Boy' mentality the Pistons played with in the 90s. His energy and aggressiveness have started to rub off on his teammates and are making this group a team no one wants to see on the schedule down the stretch.
If the Pelicans truly want to get out of the NBA gutter next season, then the blueprint Borrego has laid out needs to become consistent. The physicality, the edge, and the defensive intensity they showed against Toronto can’t be a one-night flash. If they can make this style their identity, the foundation for New Orleans' future may already be falling into place.