The Athletic NBA Daily Bulls Buzzer Beater + Zion returns for Pelicans
Nov 20, 2025
Will Guillory, an NBA reporter with deep insights into the New Orleans Pelicans, discusses the highly anticipated return of Zion Williamson, sharing how he meshed with teammates and showcased his skills. The conversation dives into the promising starts of rookies like Derrick Queen, highlighting their impressive growth. Guillory also reveals the reasons behind the delayed firing of coach Willie Green, shedding light on how it affected team dynamics and performance. The potential of James Borrego as interim coach is explored along with future coaching prospects.
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Rockets' Fragile Offensive Identity
- The Rockets lean heavily on offensive rebounding and post scoring rather than structured sets or 3-point shooting.
- That approach creates short-term success but raises concerns about sustainability against disciplined playoff defenses.
Don't Make Rebounds Your Offense
- Do not rely solely on offensive rebounding as your primary offense; diversify set plays and ball movement.
- Add consistent spacing and point-of-attack creation to survive playoff adjustments.
Spacing Issues From Lack Of 3s
- Houston ranks last in three-point rate and relies on mid-range and interior scoring for most buckets.
- Without consistent outside shooting, defenses can clog the middle and neutralize Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant.