New Orleans Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego sees huge potential in Jeremiah Fears. During the team’s pregame interview ahead of the Chicago Bulls game, Borrego likened Fears to Tony Parker, whom he spent time with during his days as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs.
“(Fears) has something you can’t teach, which is speed and the ability to get downhill. That’s elite right now. You could put him in a category with the top 10 guards that can do this right now,” Borrego said of Fears. “He does not need a pick and roll and can get at-will to the paint when he wants.”
“I’ve been fortunate to be around some point guards who have had that talent. Tony Parker was a natural scorer when we got him,” he continued. “Speed, pace, and I share this with Jeremiah a lot. Tony was a scorer at his core. Great pace and high-level paint player. More than anything, Jeremiah is willing to learn. He is a sponge. He is curious. If you have that type of character mentality, you’ll get there. I think that is where we are headed.”
The New Orleans Pelicans took Fears using the seventh overall pick in last summer’s NBA Draft. The 19-year-old guard averages 14.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals on 43.2 percent shooting from the field across 35 regular season appearances (33 starts).
New Orleans Pelicans News: James Borrego addresses recent loss vs. Chicago Bulls
Before the New Year, the New Orleans Pelicans‘ losing streak reached five in a row, following a 134-118 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. James Borrego was not happy with the team’s lackluster defense, which has conceded at least 130 points for the second straight game.
“It’s the misery that helps you grow and get better,” Borrego said. “There is no magic play here to get us home. As I step back and look at the end of game (scenarios), I think we’ve got to be better defensively, too. Bottom line, and we own that.”
“But I’m proud of the group for how they’ve grown throughout the month. There is clarity in who we are trying to become and who we are becoming. There is some clarity there. We’ve just got to keep taking steps forward every day.”
