New Orleans Pelicans Show Clear Signs of Progress Despite Record Under Interim Coach James Borrego

The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled to win games under interim head coach James Borrego. His official record since taking over on November 15th stands at just 2-12. Despite this, a deeper look reveals a team playing better, harder basketball. This positive trajectory suggests Borrego should be named the permanent head coach.

This season is now focused on internal development. According to analysis from Cleaning the Glass, the team is showing real improvement in key areas under Borrego’s leadership. The focus has shifted to building a foundation for the future.

Underlying Metrics Reveal Pelicans’ Improvement Under James Borrego

The win-loss column is misleading. The Pelicans’ offensive rating under Borrego is 115.0. That ranks them as the NBA‘s 15th-best offense during his tenure.

Their net rating is -5.5. That places them 23rd in the league over the last 14 games. They have been the unluckiest team in basketball by expected wins, per Cleaning the Glass.

The team is playing with more pace and clear intention. Effort and defensive discipline have visibly increased. This is notable given significant injuries to key defenders.

Starting a rookie point guard and center presents major defensive challenges. Yet the Pelicans rank as the sixth-worst defense under Borrego. This outperforms expectations for their current personnel.

Why Making Borrego Permanent Is the Right Move for New Orleans

The franchise’s future is tied to rookies Fears and Queen. Both players have embraced Borrego’s system and shown accelerated development. They are building positive habits despite typical rookie inconsistencies.

Removing the “interim” tag provides immediate stability. It allows the front office to properly evaluate the roster within Borrego’s system. This clarity is crucial for planning the offseason.

A new external hire would reset the progress made. The team would face another adjustment period next season. Sticking with Borrego maintains continuity for the young core.

The case for James Borrego is built on tangible, behind-the-wins progress. The New Orleans Pelicans appear to have found their leader for the rebuild, even if the record doesn’t show it yet.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: What is James Borrego’s record as interim coach?

James Borrego’s record is 2 wins and 12 losses. He took over as interim head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans on November 15th.

Q2: How has the offense changed under Borrego?

The offense has improved significantly. The team’s offensive rating ranks 15th in the NBA since his appointment, playing with more pace and purpose.

Q3: Why is the defense still a problem?

The defense is a work in progress, ranking sixth-worst. This is partly due to starting two rookies in key positions and injuries to defensive stalwarts.

Q4: What does this mean for the Pelicans’ rookies?

Rookies Fears and Queen are thriving. They have shown clear development and are building good habits within Borrego’s system, which is the season’s priority.

Q5: What happens if the Pelicans hire a new coach?

A new hire would likely reset the team’s progress. It would force another adjustment period, delaying the development of the young core.