NBA PURGATORY: Zion Williamson and the Pelicans EXPOSED—What Must SHIFT to Avoid Mediocrity
New Orleans Pelicans confirm their worst fears: NBA purgatory is real. After a tough 118-106 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers—despite standout performances from Jeremiah Fears and DerIk Queen—the Pelicans’ playoff ceiling looks painfully clear. Jake Madison uncovers why shooting struggles, rebounding woes, and costly turnovers are holding this team back, and questions if minor tweaks are enough to spark a turnaround.
With Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy at the center of tough roster decisions, the discussion tackles whether it’s time for a dramatic overhaul or continued mediocrity. Can the Pelicans escape the cycle of first-round exits and failed lottery luck? Key storylines include Fears’ electrifying efficiency, Queen’s playmaking promise, and the need for foundational change. Is this truly a pivotal offseason for New Orleans, or are they destined to remain stuck in the NBA’s middle tier?
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21 Comments
No defense
Everydayer
Want a roster turnover
Every dayer comment
That hat makes it look like you wanna be the very best, like no one ever was
Step back from the ledge, my friend. We already knew they can't compete with playoff-level teams; hopefully, there will be a lot of roster turnover this offseason. I just hope they can get some things figured out. This isn't fun, and it's going to be tough given their cap situation.
I think this team will stay in that purgatory you mentioned until there's an ownership change. The way to do it is the way the Thunder did it. Be as bad as you can be to get multiple top picks and build it that way. The league is set up to let BAD teams get good, GOOD teams to get bad, and sucky teams to stay sucky. Their fortunes won't change until they understand this, and right now, they don't.
It’s Herb Jones if the Pelicans have a bad defense at least score points. Herb Jones don’t offer anything offensively, if he can’t shoot drive the lane or cut to the goal to put up some points. The Pelicans need a New bad to the bone coach who is going to bring energy and cut out not running on the court. The Pelicans don’t need to be super good on defense but they have to bee all world on offense.
Dis offense sucks azz this free flowing offense where everyone gets 3 seconds with the ball sucks
Lots of queen and fears two man action in this game. Loved that Borrego actually ran some offense for them. Trade Zion and trade Murray in the off season and get this team some half decent depth and they will at least be better than they are now
Herb jones is trash 🗑️ Dude don’t have no type of offensive game and his defense is overated
Hi Jake
When Zion was out of shape and chubby he had a high usage rate. Now that he's in shape and slimmer his usuage rate is down. You would think if this guy dominated when he wasn't taking care of himself, he would kill when he is in shape. But ONLY Pelicans would scale back his usage and make him a role player now that he probably could play at an mvp level.
Every dayer
It's so simple. Pelicans will go 5-6 possessions straight without Zion touching the ball. A Zion FGA is a better shot than a Herb contested drive, Murray contested pull up middy, Bey step back 3, Trey 25 footer, Fears drive etc etc. Not saying that a Zion centric offense will win you a chip with this squad, but at least you would have been way more competitive during the season. The ball in Zion hands helps everyone…let's not overthink it. So if this is Pels new role for him, he should be traded, because a sub 30 usuage for Zion on this team is a sub 35 win team
It's either you trust the work zion has put in or not. If you can admit he has grown and looks like he finally understands how to be a professional then you HAVE to reward him by playing through him, or just trade him.
Herb John's is a liability on offence. You can't win with only 4 players being a threat.
Why do still have an Alvarado jersey?… Actually, I like it
Can’t take a podcast where they just live to slander Zion. You really went there to say Zion is taking more shots when that has never been true.
Trade trey Murphy, herb , Dejonte , Poole
Herb will be the most overpaid player in the 2027- 28 season . Herb and Trey needs to traded this summer