The New Orleans Pelicans aren’t expecting much on the court from DeAndre Jordan, whom they signed to a minimum-salary contract last month. In a recent media availability, interim head coach James Borrego clarified Jordan’s role in the team.
Borrego joked that Jordan is part of the coaching staff, especially given his age. However, he doesn’t mind having the one-time NBA champion on the roster, even if it costs the front office more to keep him in his current capacity.
“We actually put him on our staff, and maybe I should put him on the staff. But he is probably making more money in the player role. He’ll probably take that paycheck,” Borrego quipped about Jordan via the Pelicans Film Room.
“But I’ll still use him as an extension of our coaching staff. He’s got a great voice, wisdom. He’s got a great way. Guys respect him. It’s like having another coach out there on the floor. He probably does more than I even know. I love that about him,” he concluded.
New Orleans Pelicans News: James Borrego sees positives in latest loss vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
James Borrego was encouraged by the New Orleans Pelicans‘ 149-142 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, believing they should’ve won the close game.
“(Closing games is an) area of growth,” Borrego said via Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “You put yourself in those positions, and now you’ve got to close. We are at the goal line, and we’ve got to figure out how to close. It’s maturity. It’s execution. It’s poise. It’s confidence.”
“Those situations we want to dominate,” he continued. “It’s very doable. It’s not rocket science. (It takes) some focus. You’ve got to give it attention. You’ve got to deal with it. Making sure guys know where they need to be. It all comes down to the details there.”
