Part 8/11:
The coaching staff’s approach seems to be ad hoc, with no clear strategic blueprint. For example, despite Zion's strengths, he is often paired with lineups lacking floor spacing or adjacent shooters, reducing his effectiveness. The decision to play Zion with multiple non-shooters and aging big men like Jordan Jordan indicates a disconnect between roster construction and player strengths.
Moreover, questions about effort and focus are growing, especially considering the team's schedule. Coming off a brutal opening stretch with high-caliber opponents, the Pelicans face a daunting upcoming slate that could see them enter Christmas with potentially 15 or more losses. Such a projection underscores how far they are from establishing competitiveness.