DECISION: Are the New Orleans Pelicans Ready to CHOOSE DerIk Queen’s Best Position for Success?
The New Orleans Pelicans face a franchise-defining choice: is Derik Queen their long-term center or power forward? Roster construction, defensive identity, and playoff potential hinge on this decision, with past missteps around Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis still echoing through the organization. Jake Madison breaks down the challenges of building around unique big men in today’s NBA, comparing Queen’s fit alongside Zion and weighing key on-court combinations.
Key discussions include the team’s defensive struggles with Queen at both the 4 and 5, the limitations of non-shooting lineups, and which player archetypes best complement New Orleans’ young core. From possible trades for elite rim protectors to the importance of gathering lineup data over the final stretch of the season, Jake Madison examines what the Pelicans must do to avoid repeating past mistakes and unlock their postseason potential. Can New Orleans finally build a contender around their talented but unconventional frontline?
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3 Comments
I think for anybody that has seen hi, his best Position is PF!! He does not have the lift, Reflexes or Agility to be a rim protector!!! You can see he doesn't have the Vertical to win the Jump Ball situation and has a hard time finishing above the rim when dunking. As he develops his body and put on more muscle he could become a dominant post player at the PF position because of his footwork, passing and shooting ability. Unfortunately for whatever reason this organization seems to have a hard time figuring out how and where to use players especially concerning game to game matchups. They've been beat a lot not recognizing how to matchup size with size and skill set with skill set!! Unfortunately this roster is full of guys still with kid bodies and not manly bodies. Some of these guys need to put on some muscle, not too much to affect their athleticism. They get pushed around a little too much Physically. They also get in bad switches, because they aren't matched up by size equally!! But Queen at Center right now isn't good on the defensive end! I'm not saying he can't improve, but it'll take hard work in the off-season to work on improving his body and Vertical prowess!!
Derek Queen plays like a guard at 6'10. He likes to handle the ball from the top of the key. Start him at point guard but you also draft an undersize point guard in Fears. Thanks Joe.
A long winded way of saying the players on the roster don't fit together.