Zion Williamson and Derik Queen are BIG Defensive Problems for the Pelicans Right Now
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the worst defensive teams in the league and it starts with their star player Zion Williamson and prized rookie Derik Queen. Jake Madison looks at what is causing defensive breakdowns, how Yves Missi could be the answer, and how the Pels need to make a big change in the front court next season.
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9 Comments
I watch you on YouTube 🫡🫡
it will be important for Dejonte to look healthy. having two 30 million guards that need to be traded is tough.
Should have never traded our 1st this year for queen. Or shoulda drafted queen at 6 left fears. If we ship the 1 ovr im done with this team for good, laughing stock of the league.
It's not rocket science. When you are undersized and LAZY, off-ball teammates have to cheat to support. When they cheat, it opens up the three point line or makes you susceptible to fouling. I would bet that well over half of Herb Jones fouls this year are against players he's forced to help out on (same thing with Karlo for that matter).
Zion is notorious for 'ball watching'. I bet he's among the league leaders in being 'back-doored' on the weak-side. Queen is simply not athletic enough to accept the NBA-challenge defensively at this point, at all. What's more, Fears height will always be an issue and 3M3 is easily bullied.
To win in this league requires three things:
1. Protecting the ball offensively
2. Controlling the defensive boards
3. DEFENSE!!! DEFENSE!!! DEFENSE!!!
Respectfully, as a team we suck at all three.
Is the bridge to much burned for Dejounte Murray to want to stay or can the relationship be mended?
Derik Queen is a more difficult player to build around than Zion. He's not a 5, he's not a 4, he's one of the worst defenders in history and he's not (at least not yet) a difference maker on your offense.
That's fine for a 13th pick. But when you consider that they destroyed the present and the future for him…
Hi Jake
I’m sorry, I’ve watched enough pels games to see that Zion may not be a great defender, but I see him guarding pg and sometimes 5’s. There are worst defenders such as TMIII, DQ, JF, JP, Karlo, etc..than to point the finger directly at Zion. I don’t like the continued switching scheme because it makes players to lazy to fight thru screens or guard your yard. I don’t think Zion is a 4. He should be playing the 3. Anyway, I may be in the minority, but I think you can get through 5 other players before you get to Z regarding defense. Let’s think about this as well, he’s asked to handle the ball, create for his teammates since he’s double/triple teamed, guard on the perimeter and then rebound, and be efficient scoring the ball. Are they asking him to be a lockdown defender as well or just play marginal defense? I don’t know the answer to that, but he’s the #1 player so I guess it’s fair game to start with him even though there are clearly others that are worse.
Jake has been on his Zion hate all season. Trey Murphy has been horrible on defense all season but Jake will NEVER admit this. Smh