By Rell Wright, Pelicans Contributor – TheWhoDatDaily.com
The New Orleans Pelicans are out of answers. A winless 0–4 start to the 2025–26 season — extending an ugly 0–11 streak dating back to last year — has exposed a franchise stuck in neutral. The pieces are there: Zion Williamson is healthy, Trey Murphy III is ascending, and the roster is deep with athletic wings and proven scorers. Yet the results remain the same — predictable, flat, and uninspired.
The culprit isn’t talent. It’s leadership. And it’s time to admit the obvious: Head Coach Willie Green’s message has run its course.
The Pelicans don’t need another motivational speech. They need a new system, a new direction, and a new voice. That voice might already be sitting on the bench — Assistant Coach James Borrego.
From Confusion to Clarity on Offense
Willie Green’s offensive system has stagnated. The ball sticks, the movement fades, and possessions die in isolation. Too often, the Pelicans rely on individual brilliance rather than collective execution. Borrego’s offensive blueprint offers what Green’s never has — structure, purpose, and flow. His teams in Charlotte ranked among the league leaders in assists and pace, built on quick reads, spacing, and trust in the extra pass.
Under Borrego, Zion Williamson would finally operate in a system designed to maximize his gravity rather than contain it.
A Pace Built for Modern Basketball
Green’s Pelicans grind games to a halt, losing the speed advantage their young roster naturally provides. Borrego’s style pushes tempo and forces defenses to react, not reset. A faster pace means easier buckets, more rhythm for shooters, and fewer half-court droughts — the exact medicine this team needs after another slow, stagnant start.
Spacing That Frees Zion
Too many non-shooters. Too many clogged lanes. It’s the story of every Pelicans offense under Green. Borrego thrives on five-out spacing, allowing Zion to attack freely with room to finish or kick to open shooters like Trey Murphy III and Jordan Hawkins. It’s modern basketball — built around gravity, spacing, and decision-making — not brute force isolation.
A Proven Developer of Young Talent
Borrego’s track record speaks for itself. He helped mold LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Devonte’ Graham into productive, confident players. He believes in empowering youth through opportunity and structure — something Green’s rigid rotation patterns have failed to provide for young Pelicans like Dyson Daniels and Hawkins. Under Borrego, development isn’t an afterthought; it’s a philosophy.
In-Game Adjustments and Tactical Awareness
Too often, the Pelicans lose games in the third quarter. Adjustments come late or not at all. Borrego, a tactical thinker, manipulates lineups, coverages, and tempo throughout the game. His after-timeout (ATO) play designs ranked among the NBA’s best in Charlotte — a category where the Pelicans remain among the worst. He wins on the margins — something New Orleans hasn’t done in years.
Analytics and Adaptability
The modern NBA runs on data, but the Pelicans still operate on emotion. Borrego bridges that gap. He integrates analytics into his decision-making, balancing instinct with evidence. His lineups and shot profiles are informed by efficiency, not habit. In a league where the details define success, Borrego’s adaptability would give New Orleans a competitive edge.
Defensive Structure Over Chaos
Green’s defensive philosophy is built on energy and effort — admirable traits, but unsustainable without structure. The Pelicans frequently miscommunicate on switches and blow rotations. Borrego’s defensive system is calm, calculated, and detail-oriented. He emphasizes rotational integrity and positional discipline, creating a defense that reacts as one unit instead of five individuals freelancing.
It’s not about trying harder; it’s about playing smarter.
Accountability Without Politics
Green is a motivator, but sometimes loyalty overrides logic. Struggling veterans stay in the rotation while younger players watch from the bench. Borrego brings balanced accountability — everyone is held to the same standard, and roles are earned through performance. That clarity could restore the internal competitiveness this locker room once had.
Communication That Teaches, Not Just Talks
After three seasons, Green’s message of “fight and togetherness” feels repetitive. The players no longer need cheerleading; they need coaching. Borrego is a teacher. He explains concepts, uses film to build understanding, and empowers players through knowledge. His communication style turns confusion into confidence — something this 0–4 team sorely lacks.
A Modern Identity for a Modern Roster
The Pelicans have the personnel to play fast, switch defensively, and space the floor — yet they still play like a 1990s team. Borrego would redefine the identity of this franchise:
Modern offense: pace, space, and flow.
Disciplined defense: structure over emotion.
Smart leadership: analytics, adaptability, and clarity.
He represents evolution — everything the Pelicans need to climb out of mediocrity and reclaim relevance in the Western Conference.
🏁 Final Take
Willie Green deserves credit for stabilizing the franchise and setting a cultural foundation. But culture alone doesn’t win championships — coaching evolution does. James Borrego brings the basketball intelligence, offensive sophistication, and leadership clarity that this locker room is missing.
At 0–4 and spiraling, the Pelicans don’t have time to hope things change — they need to make a change. It’s time to give Borrego the whistle and let him lead New Orleans into a new era of winning basketball.
