The New Orleans Pelicans have hit rock bottom. Starting the season 0-6 was something I don’t think any Pelicans fan expected to happen. Although the team had a tough schedule to start the 2025-2026 season, Joe Dumars had promised that this group would be competitive, which was not the case. From opening night against Memphis to Sunday against Oklahoma City, the team has played worse and worse every game.
Even with Kevon Looney back in the rotation and healthy, this team still can’t get it together. I understand the Thunder are NBA champions for a reason, but losing by 31 points is simply unacceptable for New Orleans as they tried to prove the experts wrong and make a playoff push this season. Change is necessary, and it must happen quickly.
The 137-106 loss to OKC wraps up the Pelicans’ three-game road trip, and with the team returning to New Orleans, it’s time for Joe Dumars to end Willie Green’s tenure as head coach of this group. In five seasons, he has failed to develop a style or game, build a culture or maintain stable rotations. He gets outcoached every night and the fans are tired of watching it.
This is even worse than last season
Last season, the Pelicans entered the year with similar expectations to this season and ultimately finished with the fourth-worst record in the league. However, that team was ultimately dismantled due to injuries and players struggling with personal issues off the field. New Orleans had to select more than 20 different players last season and barely saw any of their star players share the court.
This season’s team does not benefit from the same excuses, as they have played poor basketball and lacked confidence on both ends of the court.
With Dejounte Murray set to return in early 2026, all this team had to do was stay competitive enough to finish as an 11th to 9th seed until the new year, and then Murray could come back and they could push for the playoffs. Now it doesn’t even feel like it matters if Murray returns because this group has dug itself into a huge hole just six games into the season.
The only good thing about the Pelicans being at rock bottom is that they can only go up from here. A coaching change, different rotations and a new culture may not be enough to propel the team to the playoffs, but it could be enough to make this season one to build on.
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