Are the Pelicans Right to TRUST James Borrego as Head Coach? Zion Williamson’s Role Examined
New Orleans Pelicans surge with a four-game winning streak, but Zion Williamson’s uncertain role still clouds the team’s future. Is James Borrego making a strong case to become the permanent head coach, or does Zion’s unresolved situation trump any coaching decisions?
Jake Madison spotlights Borrego’s immediate impact, including improved offensive structure, defensive effort, and bold coaching moves. The episode questions whether the Pelicans should build around Zion Williamson, develop Derik Queen and Trey Murphy, or finally commit to a clear direction. With wins against struggling teams like the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls, the hype remains tempered—are these victories enough to pivot toward a playoff push, or is New Orleans headed for another crossroads? Don’t miss the latest analysis of the Pelicans’ identity crisis, future roster moves, and what truly determines success in the Big Easy.
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26 Comments
Trade Zion
Mike Malone ,he'll have queen running that joker system, down ta tha T he kinda doing it already but it's another level he could go with it, I would trade Zion if I could get uh legit big fa him uh jarred Allen,or his type 📬 Zion ass outta Louisiana 💯
Your outlook is a little bit of a downer, Jake. 🙂 Things are going well! I think the team is going for as many wins as possible. Right now Z works best off the bench, so we go with it. Trade him before deadline if we get a good offer, otherwise wait until off -season. Maybe trade Jose, Hawk or Murray and get a pick or 2 in 2026 draft, but not Trey or Herb.I don't think it's complicated.
Hey Jake, really feeling for you with Z having a good game. Hope you’re coping ok
Let more of the season play out. I wouldn't make any changes right now.
Revenge game on the mavs pls pels
The argument of who you beat is a false argument. You need those wins to make the play-in or playoffs. Win the games you can and nobody cares who those wins were against. The wins have to come from somewhere. Other teams have injuries so it's a schedule advantage if you catch them shorthanded. 4-5 game win streaks are necessary and I don't care who they come against if we rise in the standings
Hi Jake, lets not trade Z
Same old views, hate on Zion
Dave Chappelle spoke about dudes like Jake in his standup..lol “They have to be negative”…. What real fan after a 4 game streak & us playing how we’re playing, would sound like this?
I want to see how Borrego's lineups work when Murray comes back. If he continues to win, get him a contract fast. Because other teams are going to pay him away since we aren't going to overpay.
Jake idk what u mean with this two timeline thing! Player must get drafted every year. They are building a team figure the rest out later
12:43 z is coming of a injury but back sooner than expected y not come off the bench?
There's a ton of emphasis on the teams they've beaten being nothing to run home about, aside from the Rockets. Here's why I think the wins say more than Jake is giving them credit for.
Before the win streak, they lost to the Spurs by only 3 (no Wemby so that can be considered) but it's a marginally close defeat.
They beat the Trail Blazers by 23
They beat the Bulls by 10
The Rockets by 5 after a -25 deficit (incredible)
The Pacers by 19
These are the types of deficits you'd expect a great team to win by against these particular teams. This is the NBA, so no matter who you play, you're playing some of the absolute best in the world. The Pelicans are now playing like a healthy, well put-together squad and the individual numbers of the players are supporting that. While I can understand the incredibly cautious optimism, there are plenty of reasons to believe the Pelicans can make the play-in. It's completely in their hands when it comes to making sure they're healthy and available to play.
Every dayer comment
Give Z some more run off the bench to get his trade value back up and get our first rounder back! Smoothie Queen and 0 Fears are the future – lets keep building around them.
Damn Jake! Cool it with the negativity. Can we just enjoy the wins. We’re finally excited to watch Pels games again. We have new and exciting players that we are getting to see every night. It’s a great time to be a Pelicans Fan.
Jake has a good take on the coaching situation. Pels won't pay top dollar for the HC. Not sure they could do any better than Borrego. Time will tell
Keep him till you need to pay someone else
If you trying to win a championship you keep him
Just wandering if u read comments cause most disagree with u
Im not sure what happened to Jake's basketball intellect but he is not thinking straight. I am going to say he was broken down by the team's abysmal start or just the stress from the wedding. The original Dumar's plan was to have our young core of Zion,, herb, and Trey compete at a high level and create a culture for our two draft picks to learn and help. That was why we gave up the unprotected first rounder and why we brought in Poole and Kevon looney for championship experience. We also resigned Herb because of this vision. The plan was never to trade zion but to actually give him a DEEP team to play with so he doesn't have to bear the offensive burden. Today, the team is fortunate to have a deep team and a fairly healthy Zion. Im not sure why Jake is adamant on trading Zion when he is becoming what Dumars wanted from him in the beginning. The team now has a decent coach who the players' are willing to go out there and fight for wins even at a 22 loss season already. The team chemistry is through the roof, the vets and rookies all love playing with one another. The culture is shifting. Please don't listen to Jake and his Indiana isnt a good team blah blah blah, Coach Carlisle is a hall of fame coach and he purposely tried to win this game with his substitutions. If this was the first week of the season, that Pacers team would have probably beat us by 10, that shows the progress we have made. It took a amazing performance from Zion to keep the Pacers at a double digit deficit. The team is on a 4 game win streak and Jake seems to be trying to double down on trying to trade zion during a winning streak? Earth to Jake are you ok bro? i understand if we are losing but winning? I recommend you going back on the honeymoon because clearly you havent been watching this team gel and play for each other. It's pretty basketball and I am the mindset of Dumars. I want to see a shift in competitiveness and not focus on just wins and losses. The culture here has changed, these pelicans now believe they can compete. They have a formula and a attack plan every night. Let the Dumar's plan play out. Keep this team intact.
no the biggest issue is unloading Murry, Zion is non guaranteed and pools albatross of a contract is gone this year , if nobody wants Zion just let him play it out and be gone, trey and herb both can get you any young player you want plus picks to get timeline reset
if you don't want Borrego jake we will take im in lukaland
jake some players were over paid hit the age and ability cliff like Zion , embiid , Anthony Davis and others there are many others, the teams they are on are stuck with and to be honest they should be they made the mess
why would Zion not be a role player he isn't there enough to be a starter in any world