🔥 PELICANS JUST UNLOCKED THE CENTER POSITION! Derik Queen at PF Changes EVERYTHING! 🚨

🔥 PELICANS JUST UNLOCKED THE CENTER POSITION! Derik Queen at PF Changes EVERYTHING! 🚨

The New Orleans Pelicans may have just made a franchise-altering decision by sliding rookie Derik Queen to the power forward position — and it’s a move that could unlock both his offensive ceiling and the team’s defensive identity overnight.

🏀 Why Moving Queen to PF Is Genius

By shifting Queen to power forward, the Pelicans can plug in a more traditional rim-protecting center behind him. That means:

✅ Stronger interior defense

✅ Better rim protection

✅ Less physical pounding on Queen early in his career

✅ More freedom for Queen to attack offensively

At center, Queen would have to anchor the defense immediately — battling elite bigs nightly. At PF? He can roam, create, and attack mismatches.

Instead of wrestling with 7-foot bruisers every possession, Queen can:

Face up slower defenders

Drive off the dribble

Operate in space

Crash the offensive glass without being the last line of defense

This lets him focus on what makes him special: skill, touch, and offensive versatility.

📈 How This Helps the Rookie Thrive

Queen’s offensive game is built to expand. At PF, he can:

Stretch the floor

Attack from the high post

Push in transition

Exploit switches against smaller wings

This move reduces pressure and allows natural development instead of forcing him into full-time rim protector duties from Day 1.

Confidence grows when young players can score freely — and Queen attacking from the four spot could accelerate his evolution into a dominant two-way big.

🐐 Learning From the Blueprint: Tim Duncan

There’s a historical blueprint here.

Tim Duncan entered the league as a power forward next to a true center in San Antonio. Early in his career, he was able to:

Develop his footwork

Master positioning

Refine his mid-range game

Learn defensive timing without carrying the full burden

Later, Duncan seamlessly transitioned into a full-time center — becoming the defensive anchor and championship foundation for the franchise.

If Queen follows that path:

Develop at PF

Add strength and defensive instincts

Transition to center in his prime

The Pelicans aren’t limiting him — they’re staging his growth.

🔓 How This Unlocks the Pelicans’ Center Position

By not rushing Queen into the five, New Orleans:

Buys time to develop a true rim protector

Keeps defensive structure intact

Preserves Queen’s body long-term

Maximizes offensive firepower

It’s not a demotion.
It’s a strategic evolution plan.

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#TimDuncanAnd if this works? The Pelicans could have a future All-Star big who grows into the center role naturally — instead of being forced into it.

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