Willie Green's Rotations Need More Time To Build Rhythm
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New Orleans, La.- The NBA's All-Star break comes at the start of Mardi Gras weekend and you know what they say, even in Utah's jazz, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. Sometimes the band just needs a few jam sessions to hit a groove. Well, Willie Green's rotations need more time to build up a rhythm so the offense can dance at a faster pace.
The New Orleans Pelicans are somehow above .500 going into exhibition week in Salt Lake City despite missing two All-Stars for most of the season. The Pelicans only have two lineups that have played more than 100 minutes together going into the NBA All-Star break. Over 60 different lineups have more playing time together.
Feb 2, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green gives instructions to forward Naji Marshall (8) before Marshall reenters the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Granted, health is a big part of the equation. The Sacramento Kings have been the healthiest team according to games missed to due injury. They've made a jump from lottery team to top-4 contender in the Western Conference riding the most used lineup in the league at 661 minutes.
Sacramento's second lineup has more court time (163 min.) than the Pelicans' most-used unit of Jonas Valanciunas, CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, and Brandon Ingram (113 min).
The most offensively and defensively effective five to find more than 50 minutes together is surprising. Jose Alvarado, Devonte' Graham, Larry Nance Jr., Zion Williamson, and Naji Marshal have a 131.9 Offensive Rating (6th best) and an 88.8 Defensive Rating (4th best).
That group also had a +43 net rating, second only to the Indiana Pacers and right above the closing lineups for the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Graham is gone but Richardson looks capable of more than filling that role.
Feb 13, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Richardson (2) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the second half at Paycom Center. New Orleans won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
McCollum, Williamson, Valanciunas, Jones, and Murphy III are a top-25 offensive squad (126 OFFRTG) but a bottom-5 defensive sieve (130.9 DEFRTG). The Pelicans only have four lineups with a positive net rating of more than a point among those with more than 50 minutes played.
Valanciunas and an anchor with McCollum, Marshall, and Murphy III on the wings with Alvarado at the point of attack are a +7.1. The starters (Valanciunas-McCollum-Ingram-Williamson-H. Jones) sit at +6.3. No other group is above +2.5.
Four of the core lineups have negative ratings and three are worse than -16. All four have an OFFRTG under 108. The three worst teams in the NBA are above 109 OFFRTG. Two of the four would qualify for the worst defensive rating in the league.
The Pelicans are 29th in three-pointers attempted. Points in the paint are the calling card for this starting five. McCollum, Jones, and Ingram working around Williamson and Valanciunas is the most bruising lineup per 36 minutes. The team just has to find a way to get them all back on the court. Williamson is out at least another week and McCollum is resting a hand injury during All-Star weekend.
That paint-pounding rotation is tied in PITP with a five of Kira Lewis Jr., Josh Richardson, Trey Murphy III, Marshall, and Valanciunas. It's a small sample size but it's a good sign the reserves and newly acquired Richardson can work well within the offense once Williamson returns.
The defense is fine, 9th best in defensive rating so far. New Orleans is a top-10 team in rebounding and assists. Sure, the offense needs a bit more off-ball movement. Still, even though only one move was made at the trade deadline, this team also needs time to figure out just how fast this band will play in these next few weeks before the playoffs begin.
