Pelicans Must Start Strong, Stay Healthy, Get Zion-Ingram-McCollum Rolling Early, Often

The New Orleans has five keys to be successful in 2023-24.

The New Orleans Pelicans have set a clear and ambitious goals for the 2023-24 season: to win the Western Conference and secure a spot in the NBA Finals.  The team boasts an impressive lineup of talented players, led by their Big 3 - Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum. While the goal may sound simple, achieving it will require a complex and strategic approach on and off the court.

Credit: USA Today Sports

STAYING HEALTHY

Staying healthy has been the biggest opponent of New Orleans in the past three seasons. Last season, Zion Williamson was inactive for 53 games with a host of injuries from the right hamstring (45), right foot (3), hip (2), health and safety protocols (2), and return to competition (1). Also, Brandon Ingram missed 37 contests, primarily for his left toe (29) and concussion (4). The Pelicans are at a disadvantage when their star players are not on the court together.

DEPTH

Depth has been another issue for Willie Green to manage since taking over the head coach position. The shooting ability of Dyson Daniels, Jordan Hawkins, and Matt Ryan would alleviate missing the injured Trey Murphy III at the beginning of the season. One of the most underrated acquisitions may be center Cody Zeller. His experience and gritty play will substitute nicely for starter Jonas Valanciunas. He and forward Larry Nance Jr. will complement one another by playing in the paint for the 2nd unit.

CONTINUITY

CJ McCollum is the key at running the point and returns for 2023-24 healthy after offseason hand surgery. He must find a way to keep the basketball moving and position his teammates in the right spots to be effective. McCollum averaged 20.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in 2022-23. Should Williamson and Ingram maintain their health for a majority of the season, expect his points to drop slightly but his assists and rebounds to climb.

Early in the preseason, you noticed whenever Zion is stagnant, the offensive pace suffers. Hopefully, in the week off before tonight's season opener, Green and Borrego addressed the ball movement issues.

SCORING

Who will step out and show out for the Pelicans besides Zion, CJ, and B.I.? It will be essential to see how Jordan Hawkins becomes acclimated to the role of sharpshooter for New Orleans. During the Summer League, Howard, Dyson Daniels, Dereon Seabron, Kira Lewis, and even EJ Liddell confidently attacked the rim and showed proficiency in outside shooting.

A STRONG START

The Pelicans must begin the game with a strong start against the Memphis Grizzlies, who will be without their star guard Ja Morant. A sluggish start to the season could hurt their chances of reaching the postseason. Additionally, winning early and frequently will boost the team's confidence.

2023-24 NEW ORLEANS PELICANS OPENING DAY ROSTER

THE STARTERS

1. CJ McCollum - Guard
2. Brandon Ingram - Forward
3. Zion Williamson - Forward
4. Herb Jones - Guard
5. Jonas Valanciunas - Center

GUARDS (8)

CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, Dyson Daniels, Jordan Hawkins, Kira Lewis Jr., Trey Murphy III, Dereon Seabron*

FORWARDS (7)

Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, E.J. Liddell, Kaiser Gates*, Matt Ryan*, Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall

CENTERS (2)

Jonas Valanciunas, Cody Zeller

Two-way players: Dereon Seabron, Kaiser Gates, and Matt Ryan

New Orleans will open the season against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night with 17 players on the roster, and three are two-way players.

Oct 17, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

COACHING STAFF AND TRAINERS

Head Coach: Willie Green, Detroit Mercy

Associate Head Coach: James Borrego, San Diego

Assistant Coaches: Jarron Collins, Stanford; Ryan Frazier, Bucknell; Casey Hill, Trinity; Aaron Miles, Kansas; Fred Vinson, Georgia Tech

Coaching Advisor: Mike D'Antoni, Marshall

Player Development Coaches: Corey Brewer, Florida; Darnell Lazare, Louisiana State

Director of Rehabilitation: Amy Atmore, Southern California

Director of Performance & Sports Science: Daniel Bove, Penn State

Head Athletic Trainer: Tom Maystadt, Iowa Stat