The New Orleans Pelicans aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel defensively-but they are trying to get it rolling in the right direction.
With Herb Jones sidelined and the team still stuck in the lower tier of the Western Conference, interim head coach James Borrego isn’t banking on a dramatic schematic overhaul to fix the issues. Instead, he’s challenging his players to take personal ownership on defense-one possession at a time.
“We’re not where we need to be,” Borrego said bluntly. “But it’s what we’re grinding on every day.
Watching film, holding guys accountable, making it a point of emphasis. I’ve got to honor the roster by saying: we’re going to guard.”
That message is loud and clear. Borrego isn’t just talking about X’s and O’s-he’s talking about pride.
Defensive identity, in his view, starts with the individual. It’s about effort, focus, and understanding that every possession matters.
And while the progress has been slow, it’s been noticeable.
This isn’t a team flipping a switch. It’s a group learning how to value stops, how to connect their defense to their offense, and how to stop giving away momentum with sloppy play. That connection-between a stop on one end and a smart decision on the other-is at the heart of Borrego’s message.
“A lot of our poor defense is tied to our offense,” he explained. “We’ll get a stop, then turn it over in transition.
That’s a gut punch. You work so hard to get the ball back, and then just give it away.
That hurts your soul-and your defense.”
It’s a lesson in valuing possessions, something Borrego believes the team is slowly starting to grasp. When the Pelicans get their defense set, they’re showing real signs of improvement. The challenge now is making that happen more consistently.
That starts with one-on-one defense. And according to Borrego, that’s an area where the Pelicans are taking noticeable steps forward.
“We’re not getting blown by as much,” he said. “That’s huge.
When guys stay in front of their man, it means fewer help rotations, fewer open looks on the second side. That’s where it starts.”
The improvements aren’t limited to isolation defense. Transition defense is trending upward.
Rebounding effort is better. And perhaps most importantly, the team’s pick-and-roll coverage-whether it’s switching or staying in traditional coverage-is beginning to tighten up.
“We’ve been putting in the work,” Borrego said. “There’s still room to grow, but I see the signs. I see the evidence.”
That evidence might not show up in the standings just yet, but it’s there in the film. It’s in the way players are fighting through screens, boxing out with more urgency, and staying locked in on their individual matchups. It’s the kind of growth that doesn’t always get headlines-but it builds the foundation for something sustainable.
For a team led by Zion Williamson, the focus is often on offensive firepower. But Borrego is shifting the conversation.
He’s asking his players to treat every defensive possession like it matters-because it does. And he’s pushing them to grow, not just as a team, but as professionals who understand what it takes to win at the highest level.
The Pelicans aren’t there yet. But they’re starting to show signs of a team that’s willing to do the dirty work, to take pride in the less glamorous side of the game. And for a franchise looking to build a lasting identity, that’s a step worth paying attention to.