THE New Orleans Pelicans (37-25) has been in fits and starts over the course of 62 games, but the team still sits alone in fifth place in the West. They have the fourth-best net rating thanks to a near-elite defense led by Herb Jones. Third-year head coach Willie Green’s main task all season has been finding the best way to deploy Zion Williamson And Brandon Ingram in attack. The Pelicans may have figured out their spacing so everyone can enjoy their regular diet without stepping on any toes.
The next 20 games will focus on tweak the pelicans around Point Zion. Ingram imitates the all-time greatsplaying like he did in that six-game series against the Suns. Trey Murphy III’s shooting crisis is a distant memory. Herb Jones is the best three-point shooter of 2024 (minimum 100 attempts). CJ McCollum is having a career year and might be in the midst of his second-best chance to make the NBA Finals. A look at the shot charts reveals a deep and lethal New Orleans team in all areas of the floor.
Pelicans stars get shots without stepping on toes
It all starts with the Pelicans Big Three. Williamson puts pressure on the paint, Ingram works the midrange and CJ McCollum cuts around the three-point line. Williamson, Ingram and McCollum must operate at peak efficiency for New Orleans to have a chance in the playoffs. After two blowout wins, it seems like they’ve figured out how to layer the offense while still leaving room for the supporting cast to shine.
Williamson is second to Giannis Antetokounmpo in attempts and is successful with shots coming within five feet or closer to the rim. Unfortunately, Williamson has the 11th highest success rate among those who made more than 250 shots in the restricted area. When opponents build a wall, Point Zion finds the open man. Scoring averages are down, but he’s on pace to post a career high in assists per game (5.5).
The Pelicans have a good argument that his 57.6 percent completion percentage this season would be better if the referees gave Williamson a more honest whistle. That and a good left side float (21.4%) would increase the double NBA All-Star score. Even with this drop, Ingram and Williamson are in the top 50 in total points scored since January 1.
Williamson avoids the worst shot in basketball, the long two-point shot. The 23-year-old is 9-23 on shots from 10 to 19 feet from the rim. Ingram, still reluctant to shoot threes, excels in the mid-range However. Ingram is 193-396 (49%) on shots from 10 to 19 feet from the rim. The 26-year-old is the sixth-best shooter from 10 to 14 feet, just ahead of Kawhi Leonard and DeMar DeRozan. Ingram is fifth best from 15 to 19 feet, although the coaching staff wishes he would have taken a step back for the extra point.
CJ McCollum scored the point this summer and shot 45.7% (311/681) overall and 42.2% (155/367) in three games in 46 this season. The 11-year veteran took the coaching staff’s advice and looked to make more three-pointers. He succeeded in his mission and has a career year to show for it. CJ McCollum is 17th in threes this season and he’s never had more success.
The Pelicans’ supporting cast is starting to warm up
The Big Three can’t do everything on offense. The Pelicans are crowded when Williamson, Ingram and McCollum have tunnel vision. Fortunately, Murphy III came out of a shooting slump and Jones became one of the most automatic snipers on the planet.
Jones being the best shooter of the year is not hyperbole. Of the 128 players who have attempted at least 100 three-pointers since New Year’s Eve, Jones has the best three-point percentage. Steph Curry made 344 three-pointers through March 6 with a rate of 40.4%. Jones made 54.3% of his 125 attempts. Increased volume before the playoffs will help keep opponents honest. Not on Herb can no longer be left alone, not after 27 games with a 72% True Shooting percentage.
Murphy III’s goal was never in doubt, the Virginia alum just needed time to shake off the rust and build his confidence on the pitch in big games. The 23-year-old has a almost perfect, definitely elite Shot chart in Pelicans victories. He shot 31.5% (40/127) overall and 27.9% (24/86) in three of 14 losses this season.
Jones and Murphy III put their refined games on full display in Toronto. Murphy III made 10 three-pointers, tying a career high and setting a season high. Jones made five three-pointers, tying a career high and setting a season high. The pair is one of the main reasons the Pelicans have the NBA best third corner percentage.
Both 2021 NBA Draft picks fit perfectly next to any lineup with Williamson, Ingram and/or McCollum. The two-way production of Jones and Murphy III is arguably just as important as the scoring production of the Big 3. It’s a good thing for Green that they’ve all found a better way to work with each other to help share the weight of the team’s offensive burden.
About the Author
Chris Dodson has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball on and off for more than a decade. A lifer of bayou basketball, his wiggling gumbo form matches his elbow-dropping celebrations. Fast enough for college hoops, big enough for a football scholarship. He has words and will travel, but not on the field.
