Pelicans vice president of basketball operations David Griffin did a more than fine job of rebuilding New Orleans in the span of one off-season. The strong return in the Anthony Davis trade, a bit of luck in the draft lottery to land Zion Williamson and key veteran acquisitions led to the Pelicans having one of the most diverse offenses in the league.
At the helm of that offense this season has been Lonzo Ball. Tasked with running, literally, head coach Alvin Gentry’s system, Ball has blossomed. On Wednesday, Ball discussed his role in leading the Pelicans offense.
“It’s really fun,” Ball said. “Like you said, I have a lot of weapons I can use, a lot of guys that can make plays. A lot of guys run the floor and I can get them the ball early and get them in their spots. They’re great with the ball, so I’m really happy when I’m on the court.”
Once at full strength, Ball has flourished on the floor, particularly next to Williamson. The pairing has an offensive rating of 113.9 since the rookie’s debut, a mark that would rank the team ninth in the league offensive in that span.
The Pelicans’ offense as a whole has blossomed into a multi-faceted one that has shot-making in JJ Redick and Nicolo Melli, playmaking in Jrue Holiday and Ball and shot-making in Brandon Ingram and Williamson. That flexibility has afforded them the option to adapt to any style of play.
The strong offense has been a big part of the team’s playoff push, which is at its strongest as the team heads into its final five games in the bubble.
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