Herb Jones didn’t need much time to figure out what Jamahl Mosley is bringing to New Orleans.
The Pelicans wing, long defined by his work on the defensive end, lit up when talking about the team’s new head coach and the tone he wants to set. For Jones, Mosley’s approach fits exactly what he values.
"His intensity and his attention to detail. I'm a defensive guy myself, so him coming in with that defense-first mindset was music to my ears," said Jones.
That reaction makes sense considering how the Pelicans are trying to reset on that side of the floor. Joe Dumars made plenty of noise this offseason about the team’s lack of toughness, and New Orleans is banking on Mosley to help change the identity without major roster turnover.
Jones believes the group already has the ingredients.
"We have more than enough toughness," said Jones.
Now it’s about turning that belief into a daily standard, and Jones sounds like one of the players most ready to buy in. He was among the voices pointing to recent struggles as fuel, and that message has clearly landed inside the locker room.
His own impact on that end has been obvious for years. New Orleans has been at least four points better per 100 possessions with Jones on the floor in every season of his career. Two years ago that number jumped to 11.7, and last season it was 6.5.
Even if Jones isn’t a guaranteed starter when the season opens, it’s hard to imagine Mosley not leaning on him heavily. A lot of what the new coach is asking for defensively is already part of Jones’ game, which makes him a natural fit for what’s coming.
At nearly 28, Jones is also one of the older players on the roster, which puts him in position to be a guide for younger teammates. Two-way undrafted rookie Malik Dia has already spoken about how helpful the veteran has been early in his career.
Jones, though, isn’t just thinking about helping everyone else. He spent the summer trying to sharpen the parts of his game that could make him even more valuable, especially as a shooter.
"[The focus this summer was continuing] to improve my jumper. I did a lot of shooting and a lot of ball handling this summer. Working on my body and different things to be ready for whatever coach needs me to do or the team needs me to do," said Jones.
His three-point numbers tell the story. In 2023/2024, he hit 41.8% from deep. Over the last two seasons, that mark has dropped to 30.8%.
If Jones can bring more to the floor offensively while keeping his usual edge on defense, he becomes even harder to remove from the lineup. And if the Pelicans can raise the collective intensity around him, the team may start looking like something different altogether.
In Other News...
Pelicans Rookie Jaron Pierre Jr. Is Giving New Orleans Fans A Reason To Smile
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Jamahl Mosley has noticed the energy Pierre brings with him every day. The Pelicans coach praised the rookies joy and his work ethic as he gets ready for his first preseason game, a useful combination for a player trying to turn a hometown opportunity into something bigger. For a franchise looking for reasons to feel good early, Pierres story has given fans at least one. [Read more 🡒]
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For New Orleans, Hawkins brief stop in Memphis is another reminder of how quickly the league can turn a player into a movable piece during an overhaul. The Pelicans have watched the Grizzlies make bold changes around the margins and at the top of the roster, and Hawkins now heads into free agency with his next landing spot still to be determined. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Fans Know Why Lakers Should Worry About Kevon Looney
The Lakers decision to add Kevon Looney on a veteran minimum deal was meant to shore up the center rotation behind Walker Kessler, but Pelicans fans already know the fit comes with some questions. Looney spent last season in New Orleans, and the look he gave the Pelicans was not the same steady, championship-level presence the Lakers are hoping to get from a backup big.
Early training camp reports only add to the unease around what Looney can still provide on a night-to-night basis. Los Angeles is already staring at roster cuts and a deadline to trim guaranteed contracts, so if the backup center spot remains unsettled, the front office may not wait long to explore a trade and try to find a more dependable option. [Read more 🡒]