The 3 aspects that the Pelicans must improve to compete for the ring

New Orleans Pelicans made a crucial move earlier this summer to take the definitive leap to contend for the NBA championship. The Louisiana franchise acquired Dejounte Murray via trade, teaming him up with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and Herbert Jones, among others. This pushes the team to compete for everything, but to do so, it needs to address 3 essential aspects.

1. Over-reliance on their stars for scoring

The Pelicans have a concerning tendency to overly depend on their star players, especially in critical situations. Williamson and Ingram are exceptional players, but their game has limitations that the team must acknowledge and mitigate.

One option is to consider a strategic change in the lineup. Swapping Ingram for a starting center who can stretch the floor would be a drastic yet potentially beneficial move. This would not only compensate for Williamson's lack of outside shooting but also eliminate Ingram's tendency to take mid-range shots excessively.

2. Putting players in compromising positions

One of the most glaring tactical errors of the Pelicans is placing their players, especially the rookies, in situations where they are more likely to fail. This not only impacts their confidence but also compromises the team's performance in critical moments.

To address this issue, coach Willie Green must focus on simplifying the game for the young talents and ensuring they receive the proper support on the court. The team's All-Stars must take on the responsibility of leading and facilitating the game for others.

3. Relying on improvisation in late-game situations

One of the major problems for the Pelicans has been their tendency to rely on improvisation during the final moments of games. This "wait and see" strategy has proven ineffective and has led to numerous close defeats.

The addition of Dejounte Murray was precisely to close out games more effectively. Utilizing Murray alongside Ingram and Williamson in pick-and-roll actions, while McCollum and Murphy III wait on the wings, could be a winning strategy. The offense needs to be more structured and less reliant on isolated plays.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los 3 aspectos que los Pelicans deben mejorar para competir por el anillo