The New Orleans Pelicans wrapped up preseason play Friday night with a 107-106 win over the Washington Wizards at the Smoothie King Center to finish the preseason 3-1. The real games begin Wednesday when the Pelicans open up at home against the Indiana Pacers.
Here are five things we learned about the Pelicans in their four preseason games.
The starting five
While first-year Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley hasn’t announced who his starters will be for the season, we have a better indication of who they will be based on the preseason. You can go ahead and pencil in Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones and Yves Missi. Missi is the only player to start all four games. Dejounte Murray, who is dealing with a toe injury, or Jeremiah Fears will get the last spot. While the more experienced Murray likely will get the nod if healthy, Fears has shown that he deserves some really strong consideration. He showed more of his playmaking ability with 14 points and five assists Friday. Time will tell how good of a fit that starting five is for the Pelicans.
Mosley’s mindset
One of the main reasons Joe Dumars hired Mosley was because of his success as a defensive coach. In the first two games, the defense was subpar for the Pelicans. Then they came home for a few days of practice and looked like a totally different team against the Dallas Mavericks and then the Wizards. The Pels forced seven turnovers in the third quarter alone Friday. If they continue to make strides on that end of the floor, they have a chance to win some of the type of games they let slip away last season.
Deep roster
The Pelicans, when healthy, have some depth. Mosley’s job will be to find the combinations that actually work. Saddiq Bey could be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. The improvement of Fears and Derik Queen helps. Jordan Poole, who has improved on the defensive end, looks to be in a better place after having his struggles last season. Bennedict Mathurin, the lone major addition to the roster, has provided some solid minutes. If you’ve followed the Pelicans, you know how the injury bug always takes its toll on the team. They seem to be in a better position to handle it if/when it happens this season.
Zion from 3
Zion Williamson is now willing to take 3-pointers. He took almost as many 3-pointers in the first half Friday night (three) than he took all of last season (four). Williamson went 0 for 4 from long distance Friday and is now 1 for 7 in the preseason. Obviously, you want to see his numbers improve from there, but just seeing him not afraid to take those shots is refreshing. It’s good to see him expand his game, and he has to carry that into the season. He’s spent plenty of time in practice working with assistant coach God Shammgod. Now he just needs to see more of those 3-pointers fall.
Starving for success
After two dismal seasons, it’s pretty clear that Pelicans fans are fired up for new beginnings. This was a nice crowd considering it was a preseason game on a Friday night against the Wizards. The fans were into it all game long. They proved to be in regular-season form before the opening tip, showering boos on Wizards center and former Pelicans star Anthony Davis when he was introduced and every time he touched the ball. The Smoothie King Center should be jumping for Wednesday’s opener.