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Zion Williamson #1 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrate a basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center on Nov. 9, 2022.

Pelicans practice report: New Orleans seeks jump in offensive production

Offense placed just 20th in efficiency last season after fast start

A New Orleans team deemed to have question marks on defense wound up finishing a stingy sixth in efficiency during the 2022-23 regular season, a surprising development to many observers around the NBA. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, a squad loaded with offensive firepower placed much lower than expected at that end of the floor, ranking just 20th (113.8 points scored per 100 possessions).

Injuries were a major factor in the latter statistic – at the time of Zion Williamson’s Jan. 2 injury, New Orleans was eighth in offensive efficiency – but the Pelicans are also focused on trying to improve their consistency and production. With that in mind, New Orleans added assistant coach James Borrego this summer, a former head coach with Orlando and Charlotte. Borrego also was a New Orleans assistant in 2010-11 under Monty Williams, for a Hornets team that featured reserve guard Willie Green, now in his third season as Pelicans head coach.

After Tuesday’s training camp opening practice, Green described Borrego’s approach with the offense as refining elements of it, not a total revamping. The Pelicans believe they established a defensive identity last season and want to do the same on offense.

Willie Green talks first day of training camp 10/3/2023

“He’s a guy I went after (for) his heart, his high character,” Green said of Borrego. “The person he’s always been. Respectful, super intelligent. He’s been there before. It’s helpful for our players. He’s really uplifting our program right now.”

At Media Day, Green said of the New Orleans offense, “I don’t think it’s going to be a big overhaul. It’s just a matter of some tweaks and adjustments that we feel can make us a better team. We want to play fast. There’s no secret, we want to put teams on their heels, get out and run, attack the basket, get to the free throw line.”

Zion Williamson is one of the NBA’s elite players in the latter two categories, a dominant paint scorer who averaged 8.6 free throws per game last season. The Pelicans are planning to use Williamson in a few different ways, including playing him some at center offensively in smaller, athletic lineups.

“I could see him being in different positions,” Green said. “We looked at our pick-and-roll numbers, with (Williamson) handling (the ball) and him as the screener,” Green added. “His numbers are off the chart in both. We feel like that’s an area we can grow a bit.”

Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson talk about chemistry, Jordan brand 10/3/2023

Asked about Borrego and the Pelicans implementing some new looks on offense, Williamson said, “This is the NBA, we pick up offenses pretty quick. We’ve got a lot of talent across the board, so I think we’ll be able to figure it out.”

“I think it will come pretty fast,” said forward Brandon Ingram, who averaged 24.7 points last season, “once we all get on the floor together.”

Williamson and Ingram combined to average 50.7 points and 10.4 assists last season, but only played 10 games together due to overlapping injuries.

“We want to continue to build our offense around the weapons we have,” Green said. “Having Zion, Brandon, and our team healthy on the floor is going to give us a chance to continue to take steps in the right direction offensively.”