Pelicans’ Playoff Hopes: Addressing Their Achilles Heel
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of the NBA, teams are constantly adapting their strategies to stay ahead of the game. The Golden State Warriors, with their emphasis on speed, athleticism, and defensive versatility, revolutionized the league with their small ball lineups. However, as more teams began to adopt this style of play, the New Orleans Pelicans found themselves facing a clear Achilles heel at the center position.
Despite their impressive 45-29 record, which has them tied for fifth place in the Western Conference, the Pelicans’ struggles at the center position were highlighted in their recent loss to the Boston Celtics. Head coach Willie Green has been experimenting with different lineups, trying to find a solution to this problem before the playoffs begin. In Saturday’s game, he opted to go small in the fourth quarter, benching both Jonas Valančiūnas and Larry Nance Jr. and using Zion Williamson at center instead. While the Pelicans won the quarter, it was clear that they lacked a comfortable footing.
The Pelicans have had some success with small-ball lineups featuring Zion at center. According to Cleaning the Glass, these lineups have a +4.9 net rating this season. However, this figure is not on par with the best small-ball units of the past. Williamson often looks uncomfortable as the team’s primary rebounder and rim protector, which can be exploited by opposing teams.
The Valančiūnas-Nance platoon has been effective against many teams, allowing the Pelicans to counter both big and small lineups. Valančiūnas provides value as a rebounder and can battle it out in the paint against bigger opponents, while Nance’s versatility allows him to switch on defense and guard multiple positions. However, they struggle against certain unicorn bigs who can comfortably move around the perimeter and play bully ball.
In their recent game against the Celtics, Kristaps Porziņģis exposed the Pelicans’ weaknesses. When they went small, Porziņģis took advantage of his size in the post, and when Valančiūnas was on the floor, the Celtics exploited their pick-and-pop actions to create open 3-point shots for Porziņģis. The Pelicans’ guards, like CJ McCollum and Naji Marshall, struggled to defend him effectively.
Valančiūnas’ role has been steadily declining, with his minutes cut in the second half of games. Head coach Willie Green has opted to start Valančiūnas in the first half and bring in Nance to open the second half, giving the team more defensive pop. While Nance’s skill set is valuable to the starting unit, Valančiūnas’ offensive abilities and rebounding prowess make him an important piece of the team’s success.
However, Valančiūnas does have some weaknesses that can be exploited by opposing teams. His lack of lateral quickness makes it difficult for him to defend smaller opponents in pick-and-roll situations. The best offenses in the league can target Valančiūnas in the half court and make him a liability on defense. Green prefers lineups that don’t offer an obvious target like Valančiūnas.
The Pelicans’ regular starting lineup has had mixed success this season. While they rank 11th in plus-minus among lineups that have played at least 400 minutes together, they still have room for improvement. Valančiūnas will need to stay locked in and be ready to contribute in certain playoff matchups, especially against teams like the LA Clippers, who have a traditional big man like Ivica Zubac.
Nance brings versatility on both ends of the court and is a good decision-maker on offense. He has also been an integral part of the Pelicans’ zone defense, which has been effective this season. However, the five-man units with Nance at center have posted similarly uninspiring plus-minus figures. His scoring, size, and rebounding deficiencies can be targeted by good teams, just like Valančiūnas’ foot speed.
Ultimately, the Pelicans’ reluctance to fully commit to either Nance or Valančiūnas suggests that they don’t completely trust either player to log consistent minutes against top teams. The Western Conference is filled with big, versatile centers who can pose problems for the Pelicans. Finding a solution to their center problem will be crucial for their success in the playoffs.
While the Pelicans may not find the perfect solution this year, they need to address this issue quickly. The NBA has evolved since the Warriors’ small ball era, and teams have adjusted their strategies accordingly. The Pelicans must adapt and find a way to compete against teams with dominant centers if they want to make a deep playoff run.
In conclusion, the New Orleans Pelicans’ Achilles heel at the center position poses a significant challenge for their playoff hopes. While their small-ball lineups featuring Zion Williamson at center have shown some success, they still lack the comfort and effectiveness of the best small-ball units in NBA history. The platoon of Jonas Valančiūnas and Larry Nance Jr. provides specific skill sets that maximize the team’s stars, but they struggle against certain opponents who can exploit their weaknesses. Head coach Willie Green must find a way to get effective center play for 48 minutes against top teams that will exploit any weakness. Whether it’s Valančiūnas’ limitations or Nance’s vulnerabilities, the Pelicans must address their center problem if they want to compete in the playoffs and make a deep run. The clock is ticking, and the Pelicans need to find a solution quickly in order to stay competitive in the ever-evolving NBA landscape.