Pelicans' New Associate Head Coach Hopes Not To Repeat Injury-Riddled Past

James Borrego's offensive mind will need healthy players to carry out his direction in New Orleans.

Terry Kimble | Jun 4, 2023

Pelicans' New Associate Head Coach Hopes Not To Repeat Injury-Riddled Past /

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New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans, LA - James Borrego returns to the New Orleans Pelicans as an associate head coach. 2010-2012, Borrego was an assistant head coach with the then-named Hornets in New Orleans. He is optimistic that the team will not face the same injury issues as they did during his previous tenure.

In the late 2000s, New Orleans aimed to become a top contender. In 2010, Borrego became a part of the Monty Williams team when New Orleans achieved a 46-36 record. The Hornets made the playoffs for the third time in four years after not qualifying for the previous three. In a parallel to recent Pelicans' seasons, injuries derailed any promise New Orleans had that year.

During the 2010-2011 season, David West, a two-time All-Star, suffered an ACL tear in the latter part of the season. This loss prevented the Hornets from fulfilling any potential playoff promise, resulting in their defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

Eric Gordon James Borrego — Dec. 26, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon (left) talks with assistant coach James Borrego during game against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Hornets defeated the Suns 85-84. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans franchise made a crucial decision to trade their top player, Chris Paul, to the Los Angeles Clippers. As a result of the trade, they acquired Eric Gordon as the main focus of the deal. New Orleans didn't see much of Gordon play that season, as he only appeared in nine games due to lingering knee injuries. The season ended with a 21-45 record with no playoff appearance for the team.

By most measures, the Hornets' offenses in those seasons were disappointing. In 2010, New Orleans ranked 27th in scoring (94.9 PTS/G), 29th in pace (29th), and 19th in offensive rating (106.2). Various injuries to their sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic led to a trade to the Indiana Pacers. Without him, New Orleans was near the bottom in three-point attempts and made that season.

With Borrego still on the staff the following season, the offensive numbers were worse than the previous year. Without a star on the team and an injury-plagued roster, the Hornets bottomed out on most offensive statistics that season. Borrego then moved on to become an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic.

Borrego's latest NBA stint with the Charlotte Hornets yielded positive offensive results. In 2021-2022, his final year with Charlotte, the team ranked 4th in scoring (115.3 PTS/G), 6th in pace (100.0), and 9th in offensive rating (114.1). Charlotte was also fifth in the NBA in three-point attempts and 4th in made three-pointers per game.

By comparison, that same year, the Pelicans were 27th in three-point attempts and 30th in three-point makes. In Borrego's four-year term with Charlotte, the Hornets have always been 15th in the league in 3-point attempts. During the same stretch, the Pelicans were only in the Top 20 of the league in three-point attempts once. Borrego will find creative ways to get the Pelicans more three-point shots.

There is a case that this Pelicans team is more talented than the last New Orleans team Borrego coached. Like that team of the past, this current crop of players must stay healthy for New Orleans to experience success. Borrego hopes history doesn't repeat itself, and with his guidance, this team can go further than the last time he was in New Orleans.

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