Losing in preseason is not really worrying. Losing by 33 points (120-87) is already a little more embarrassing. But losing like the Pelicans did last night against the Rockets is much more disturbing…
“Every time we step onto an NBA floor, there is a standard that we want to set. Tonight we did not meet this challenge” could only see the New Orleans coachWillie Green.
It is especially the performance of Zion Williamson which worries. Constantly behind defensively, to the delight of Jabari Smith Jr (22 points at 4/5 from distance, 9 rebounds), the strong winger seemed to play in slow motion, spending the entire first half on the baseline, at level of the “Dunker Spot”, watching his comrades play…
While Willie Green promised to put a large part of the attack in his hands, the first choice of the 2019 Draft only took one shot before the break.
“We’re going to have to talk about it.”confirmed the coach. “We have to put the ball in his hands. We haven’t implemented any half-court systems for him yet. But we have to put the ball in his hands. We know it. This is something we will continue to do. We didn’t do it tonight.”
As for Pelicans fans, we wonder following this statement. Halfway through training camp, the team still hasn’t implemented a single half-court system for one of its offensive leaders?!
But for Willie Green, the important thing is elsewhere, in the energy, clearly absent last night.
“We have to play with confidence, move the ball and trust ourselves. But that was to be expected. We add new items. This group hasn’t played together much. We expect there to be bumps in the road. But I told our guys, ‘Every night we have to be competitive.’ »
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
