DEFINING MOMENT: Pelicans’ Next Head Coach Decision Will IMPACT Zion Williamson and Franchise FUTURE
New Orleans Pelicans face a franchise-defining crossroads as the coaching search heats up—will James Borrego provide the stability the team needs, or is a bold move on the horizon? Jake Madison questions if sticking with Borrego is simply the “safe” or “cheap” choice, as front office priorities and spending reluctance shape the search. The episode digs into potential alternatives like Darvin Ham, Kevin Ollie, and Jamahl Mosley, and what each hire signals about the Pelicans’ vision.
Major decisions loom over the team’s core—can Zion Williamson and Derik Queen truly coexist, or does the front office need to choose a direction between “win now” and developing young talent? Jake Madison explores the impact of a possible draft re-entry, financial ramifications of extending Saddiq Bey, and whether New Orleans will fully commit to a timeline or stay stuck between rebuilding and competing. The Pelicans’ offseason could chart their course for years—what path will they choose?
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17 Comments
not convinced Zion or Queen is the main piece of a good team.
While I don’t love the idea, can you acquire Myles Turner by helping facilitate a Giannis trade by giving the Bucks their pics back and allowing them to be bad
Borrego is the right choice they just gotta give him some time to iron out the kinks. I see him as another Pat Riley. I trust him.💪🏾 They will be krazy to let him go
Queen should be the core, and he's been kinda trash but he hit the wall. He needs the running mate.
I like Borrego tbh. He's done something Willie couldn't do in multiple years; created an identity, even though the team he was given doesn't fit. I'd like to see what he can do with an offseason and a more coherent roster.
As for Zion or Queen? How about neither? Their skillsets are wildly different and both very valuable, yet somehow their flaws are almost identical. Undersized, questional effort, lacking defense, big holes in their games. If you have to build around one, then build around Queen because maybe he can add to his game where Zion hasn't, but I want to build around players who give their all on the court every game.
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Were they terrible or injured at key positions with 2 rookie lottery picks getting their first run ?
The Pels will never pay the money to bring in a top coach, and I'm not sure a top coach would want to come here.
I'm not sure I'm sold on Borrego. I don't feel I'm seeing enough to get better scoring opportunities and still the team defence just doesn't get to the levels of good teams.
But I also don't have faith regardless of anything that money would be spent if needed.
For Borrego I have seen so many people complain mainly because of losses. The team is so much more competitive and takes so many more quality shots under Borrego. Good teams just expose our flaws in lacking 3 point shooting and having poor defenders and a small front court
Hi Jake
we see frustration on this show everyday. we can tell you are from LA it makes a lot of sense now how you cover this team
give me juwan howard, is our man
Zion need to be a 3
Borrego, like Willie before him, is a victim of a poorly constructed roster. The difference, though, is that Borrego has the team playing considerably better statistically and record-wise with the Pelicans hodgepodge of available basketball talent. I really couldn't see Auerbach, Jackson, or 'Pop' getting any more out of this bunch than Borrego is. We are getting quality looks but can't knock down an open shot to save our lives. Defensively, which was purportedly Willie's strength is vastly improved though limited by the team's limited players. And, rotations are now based on performance, not the name on the back of a player's jersey (see the 'Jordan Bros').
Until, and unless management stumbles upon the reality you can't build a team around a limited player who has a history of being unengaged, nothing will change. There's only been one 'one-trick-pony' (Wilt Chamberlain) who merits superstar status and he was 7'2" and played in a different NBA-era. Zion is little more than a role player who possesses ONLY one NBA-level skill. Any opposing team can simply 'wait Zion out' and he will eventually crumble like a stale Graham Cracker (when has Williamson EVER hit a game winner for the Pelicans).
>>>Jeopardy Theme<<<
Give JB the job (and a re-worked roster); he's earned it.
If Joe Dumars promotes Berrego… I’m done!!
Currently the coach isn’t the primary issue. You have your center depth. I’d ease Murray back and pad poole’s stats and trade him this offseason por draft capital because you only got 1 pick and it’s a second. According to the newest mock you get the ACC DPOY & 6th man of the year, 6’9” Maliq Brown out of
Duke. Perhaps your GM should grab some picks. Missi should start the rest of the season for 28-30 MPG. Queen can back up. Poole needs more minutes to build his stats so he can be traded. Trade Queen and pool for Day’Ron Sharpe and a salary dump.