CHARLOTTE – With an entire roster full of healthy players for one of the rare times over the past few seasons, Pelicans fifth-year coach Monty Williams used 11 different players during Monday's loss to Washington. Forty-eight hours later, Williams thinks it may have been too many players rotating in and out of the mix, preventing New Orleans (17-17) from finding a cohesiveness it will need to play better after the return of Eric Gordon from a shoulder injury. Gordon's comeback after being sidelined for 21 games likely means that the Pelicans will go back to its early-season starting group of Gordon, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Anthony Davis and Omer Asik.
"We have a group that we feel like can help us score more points and defend," Williams said. "That's going to be a big deal for us, getting a group on the floor that can defend. I thought we did a pretty good job of defending Washington (on Monday), but we just had so many turnovers… At the same time, I played too many guys last game. You can't do that – guys have to have a good flow and good rhythm on the floor."
Over the past two days, including after Tuesday's practice in Metairie, Williams indicated that he may reduce the number of Pelicans who see major minutes to eight or nine players. Of course, that's subject to change based on foul trouble. In Monday's game, Luke Babbitt started but played just five minutes. Jimmer Fredette, Austin Rivers and Alexis Ajinca came off the bench but each logged six or fewer minutes.
Other notes from Wednesday's pregame:
- On whether it's a concern that Gordon's return and a reconfigured lineup led to New Orleans committing 18 turnovers vs. Washington, Williams said, "It's not something we normally do, so I'm not going to jump the gun. We had some charges that added to it the other day that added to (the statistical turnovers)." Evans committed six turnovers, but three of those were on plays were he barreled over a defender in his path to the basket. Williams said after watching film Evans recognized that he could've given up the ball earlier and possible gotten a better shot for himself later in the play.
- Williams on defending Charlotte (12-24): "You want to be able to play Kemba (Walker) with different (approaches). He's a guy that can get it going. You may blitz him; you may play underneath the screen; or play physical with him. Gary Neal and (Brian Roberts), all those guys can get it going. Communication in pick-and-roll coverages (is important)."