The New Orleans Pelicans have been held back by two significant disadvantages in the final minutes of close games this season: a lack of confident, able-bodied performers and Alvin Gentry’s system.
Let me explain.
Execution is always vital to the success of an offense, but in the moments before the final buzzer sounds, it’s absolutely paramount. A team must be able to rely on either an individual player to shoulder the load or a well-rehearsed style of play to put up points on the board. Through the completed schedule, the Pelicans have had the privilege of neither during these high pressure situations.