標籤: NOLA

詹姆斯·博雷戈无意讲述新奥尔良鹈鹕队在 NBA 全明星赛后所做的事情。季后赛的数学图就是这样，但教练坚称，Big Easy更衣室内正在酝酿的事情是非常真实的。锡安·威廉姆森和德章泰·穆雷可能正在打出他们有史以来最好的篮球，但这种转变与基于剪贴板的方案无关。

这种转变很大程度上取决于首发阵容，随着全明星控球后卫的回归，首发阵容很快就找到了节奏。这是显而易见的，怎么强调都不为过。当大多数球队都在计划暑假时，他们的配合程度却被忽视了。

“是的，你知道，这个团队在一起打得很好，”博雷戈开始说道。 “赫伯的处理让我们安定下来，默夫也上场了，萨迪克和 Z 两人的比赛正在进行中。”

威廉姆森、特雷·墨菲三世和萨迪克·贝由穆雷负责设置水桶，而赫伯·琼斯则负责所有事情。当然，这似乎是成功的秘诀，尽管这要等到明年。不幸的是，鹈鹕队的行动有点太晚了，无法在季后赛中发出任何声音。尽管如此，尽管鹈鹕队追赶金州勇士队获得 NBA 入围赛最后一个席位的机会微乎其微，但鹈鹕队仍继续自豪地打球。

“我想说的是，最重要的是，这只是一种关心因素、一种紧迫感和一种信念，”博雷戈强调说。 “有一种‘现在这很重要’的心态。就像我们想要完成某件事一样。我们希望具有竞争力。我们想要成长。我们想要变得更好。我们每天都为我们的录像、训练、投篮、比赛以及坚强地完成比赛并突破并成为一支朝着正确方向前进的球队的整体心态感到自豪。最重要的是，这是集体努力的结果。所有的人都在一个动作、一个方向上买入。”

阵容平衡已经在制作中显现出来。在过去的15场比赛中，鹈鹕队已经跻身联盟中进攻效率较高的球队之列，依靠威廉姆森的内线得分、墨菲的外线重力和穆雷的投篮创造来创造稳定的表现。贝伊的多才多艺和不上赫布的防守因素使这支球队现在有了更清晰的空间和目标。

鹈鹕队为胜利而战

就博雷戈而言，他并没有过多考虑跑步的起点。

“显然，保持健康有帮助，”临时主教练承认。 “我不会粉饰这一点。让德章特回来，现在我们的防守有了深度、尺寸和身体素质。”

穆雷的回归重建了攻防两端的结构。在进攻端，这位29岁的球员为鹈鹕队提供了又一位主要发起人，减轻了威廉姆森的负担，同时提高了比赛后期的执行力。在防守方面，他与琼斯并肩作战的长度帮助鹈鹕队重新获得了在威利·格林的领导下不稳定的破坏性优势。即便如此，博雷戈很快反驳了球队最近的表现仅仅与健康有关的观点。

“总的来说，这是一种互相关心和互相帮助的心态，”博雷戈解释道。 “我认为我们已经这样做了一段时间了。这并不是一夜之间或在过去的六到十场比赛中发生的。我猜测全年关键比赛的前五名。我认为我们可能是全年关键比赛数量的前五名。我们一直在努力，甚至在我们输掉比赛的时候，我们说要继续把自己放在这些位置上以赢得比赛。继续战斗。继续冲击岩石。”

在过去的15场比赛中，鹈鹕队在得分（119.4）、投篮命中率（48.3%）、失误（15.5）和罚球命中率（28.8）方面均排名前十。虽然花了几个月的时间，但博雷戈游戏计划的细微差别已经开始成为第二天性。

至于他对这几个月为防止本赛季崩溃而努力的感觉如何？

“它让我们走到了这一刻。我们只是没有按下开关并打开它，”博雷戈强调说。 “我们已经为此努力了几个月，终于开始出现转变。但这是一种每天工作、变得更好、为彼此效力的整体承诺。我认为这是最大的因素。”

这将成为管理层即将做出的主教练决定的一个重要因素。必须考虑到威廉姆森和默里对这些想法的接受程度。

James Borrego has no interest in spinning a story about what the New Orleans Pelicans have done after the NBA All-Star break. The math of the playoff picture is the same, but the coach says what’s going on inside the Big Easy’s locker room is very real. Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray may be playing their best basketball ever, but this turnaround has nothing to do with clipboard-based schemes.

The turnaround has been largely driven by a starting unit that has quickly found its rhythm with an All-Star point guard in the mix. This is obvious and cannot be overstated. How well they fit together is being overlooked at a time when most teams would be planning for the summer holidays.

“Yeah, you know, that group has played well together,” Borrego began. “That settles us with the herb handling, you got Murph out there, Saddiq and Z have a two-man game going on.”

Murray sets up buckets for Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey while Herb Jones does a little bit of everything. It certainly seems like a recipe for success, although it will have to wait until next year. Unfortunately, it’s too late for the Pelicans to make postseason noise. Still, despite having very slim chances of catching the Golden State Warriors for the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot, the Pelicans continue to play with pride.

Borrego stressed, “I would say more than anything, there’s just a caring factor, an urgency and a belief.” “There’s a ‘this is all that matters’ mentality right now. Like we want to do something. We want to be competitive. We want to grow. We want to get better. We’re taking pride every day in our film sessions, practices, shootarounds, games and our overall mentality of finishing strong and being a team moving in the right direction. And more than anything, it’s a group effort. Everyone bought in, in the same direction.”

The lineup has appeared in balanced production. Over the past 15 games, the Pelicans have ranked among the more efficient offensive teams in the league, relying on Williamson’s interior scoring, Murphy’s perimeter gravitas and Murray’s shot creation to produce consistent looks. Bey’s versatility and Not on Herb’s defensive factors complete a unit that now plays with clear distinction and purpose.

the pelicans are playing to win

Borrego, for his part, doesn’t think much about where the race began.

“Obviously, staying healthy helps,” the interim head coach acknowledged. “I’m not going to get caught up in that. By getting Dejounte back, we now have depth, size and physicality on our defense.”

Murray’s return has reestablished the structure at both ends. Offensively, the 29-year-old has given the Pelicans another primary initiator, reducing the burden on Williamson while improving late-game execution. Defensively, his length along with Jones has helped the Pelicans gain a disruptive edge that was inconsistent under Willie Green. Still, Borrego was quick to dismiss the idea that the team’s recent form is entirely linked to health.

“Overall, it’s been a mentality of taking care of each other and playing,” Borrego explained. “I think we’ve had that going for us for quite some time now. It didn’t happen overnight or in the last six to ten games. I guess we’ve been top five in clutch games all year. I think we’ve probably been top five in clutch games all year. We’ve been putting ourselves back, even when we were losing games, we said put ourselves in these situations to win games. Keep fighting. Keep hitting the rock.”

Over the last 15 games, the Pelicans are in the top 10 in scoring (119.4), field goal percentage (48.3%), turnovers (15.5), and free-throw attempts (28.8). It took a few months, but the nuances of Borrego’s game plan are starting to become second nature.

How does he feel about working for months to keep this season from being ruined?

Borrego insisted, “This is what has led us to this moment. We didn’t flip a switch and turn it on.” “We’ve been working on it for months, and it’s finally starting to turn around. But it’s been an overall commitment to working every day, getting better and playing for each other. I think that’s been the biggest factor there.”

This is going to be a big factor in the front office’s head coach decision coming soon. It must be said how much Williamson and Murray are investing in the ideas.

There are many hierarchies in the NBA. Fans can debate how players can flaunt contracts, marketing deals and draft status forever. The only real ranking system that matters in the locker room is the talent component when all the chips are down. Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray have had the times of their lives over the past few years. However, for these experimental New Orleans Pelicans, Saddiq Bey has become the go-to guy when Zion Williamson’s shots aren’t falling.

James Borrego has taken notice. When asked about his approach to continuing to feed Bey into the post once a rhythm has been established, the interim coach said the players themselves often demand it.

“Yeah. Do that every time (be) in rhythm. I think most of the people posting will say that when they have that rhythm, you just have to keep doing it until they make the adjustment,” Borrego explained. “Generally, we’ve got good things whether he finds it or he throws it out, or some kind of rotation on the backside. It’s a great setter for us. So the players are telling me more than I am to get back on it. They’re going to ride Saddiq as long as they can.”

The Pelicans have shown signs of unity over the past few weeks with a fully healthy roster, stringing together wins after earlier struggles. Again, Borrego deferred all praise to the players for reading the flow on the floor.

“They’re figuring out how to play with each other because if (Tray Murphy III) gets it going, he has the awareness to go in. You know, if Saddiq turned it on or Zion stepped it up there, they knew we were going to get back on it. They deserve credit for that,” Borrego said. “Hopefully, I’ll try to help them a little bit to not ignore them.”

Everyone sees the progress. According to ESPN and NBA.com stats, Bey is now averaging 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.2% from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range through 60 games. Those numbers take on extra significance when Williamson, who is averaging 21.4 points on 58.7% shooting, is kept in check.

According to Zion, it would be hard not to see the contribution.

Williamson said, “Having him on this team means a lot to us. Saddiq is a professional player.” “Whether he was in the starting lineup, when he was coming off the bench, whatever was asked of him, he accomplished it. It’s a blessing to have him on this team.”

Borrego and Williamson’s recommendations should have an impact on the front office. An unsung hero to start the season, now everyone at the Smoothie King Center is singing his praises. It will be hard for the Pelicans to ignore Bey’s agents when they try to talk about a contract extension this summer.

经过近两年的耐心等待，新奥尔良鹈鹕队终于对德章泰·穆雷的版本有了更深入的了解，他们认为前执行副总裁大卫·格里芬正在收购他。如果过去几周有任何迹象的话，那就是球队未来的基础正在建立在这位 29 岁的球员的肩上。乔·杜马斯（Joe Dumars）无法低估詹姆斯·博雷戈（James Borrego）的基础已经开始成形，在过去的十场比赛中，这支球队看起来完全不同了。

临时主教练最近转移了赞扬，确保给予穆雷足够的信任。随着他在攻防两端定下基调，鹈鹕队开始养成在西部联盟持续竞争所需的习惯。对于一支长期寻求稳定的球队来说，由一位热情、具有颠覆性的全明星领导的清晰身份的出现让我们得以一睹未来的面貌。

自从朱·霍勒迪指出波特兰开拓者队以来，新奥尔良还没有见过这样的事情。穆雷改变比赛的态度可以说在最近战胜布兰登·英格拉姆带领的多伦多猛龙队的比赛中表现得最为明显。

“德章泰（对阵猛龙队）表现出色，”博雷戈承认。 “也许是我见过他打的最好的比赛，当然是过去两年（在鹈鹕队）。他的热情、竞争力，显然是投篮、防守、沟通、领导力，他给这支球队注入了如此多的信心和战斗力，每个人都围绕着这一点团结起来。”

每个人都可以谈论潜在客户中的无形资产。然而，随着时间的推移，只有一种方法可以衡量这些持久的品质，博雷戈相信德章泰·穆雷的优势具有感染力。

“我认为这确实是我们看到的蓝图。身体素质好、进攻性强、防守好、破坏性强，是一支强大的身体素质球队。这就是我们想要建立的，”博雷戈解释道。 “这就是我们的目标，在本赛季余下的比赛中保持这样的身份。我们已经养成了达到这一点的习惯。现在我们要做的是不要放弃并在此基础上继续努力，就像让它成为标准一样。”

“显然，一切都是从德章泰的进攻点开始的，”教练补充道，“其他人都排队了。”

手部骨折缺席后，右跟腱撕裂，他缺席了一年多的恢复，这对他来说是很艰难的。穆雷（场均上场 26.4 分钟得到 17.6 分、5.4 次助攻、5.3 个篮板和 1.9 次抢断）正在努力弥补失去的时间，以建立一点动力，在他回归的前五场比赛中，每场得分上双，并至少有一次抢断。这个故事超出了统计数据，这就是为什么博雷戈几周来一直赞扬穆雷的领导能力。

德章泰·穆雷 (Dejounte Murray) 效力于鹈鹕队

3月8日，鹈鹕队结束六场客场之旅回到主场并以138-118击败华盛顿奇才队后，博雷戈特别赞扬穆雷让球队取得胜利。防守的基调在整个阵容中产生了连锁反应，建立了一个以前难以捉摸的标准。

“从客场之旅回家后，这些总是艰难的比赛。有时这些比赛可能是陷阱比赛。所以，我为我们的球员感到骄傲。他们以正确的心态做出反应。我给予德章泰穆雷很大的信任，”博雷戈承认。 “他有热情，有活力。他会以某种方式带领我们赢得这场胜利（战胜华盛顿奇才队）。他的反应非常好，他的领导力也很好。”

正如博雷戈所描述的那样，这一标准植根于坚韧和防守破坏。这种风格非常适合穆雷的比赛风格。 2021-22 赛季，他在圣安东尼奥马刺队的抢断榜上位居 NBA 抢断榜首是有原因的。当允许在比赛中发挥自己的身体素质时，穆雷总是处于最佳状态。在新奥尔良，这一角色已经成为人们关注的焦点。

鹈鹕能否将这最后几周转化为下赛季的基础还有待观察。但对于一支经历过苦难的球队来说，观看穆雷带着这样的目标打球至少是一个相信未来看起来比记录所暗示的更光明的理由。

Stephen A. Smith has never been one to shy away from confrontation, and he recently got into a fight with the New Orleans Pelicans. Following a segment where he was critical of Zion Williamson’s weight, the Pelicans social media team retaliated by reposting a video in which Stephen A. Smith was missing jump shots that he was attempting on the basketball court, as well as being a poor athlete in boxing.

The audio of the video was also an earlier example of him giving his assessment of Kwame Brown’s involvement in the Pau Gasol trade in February 2008, where he called Brown a “true man”. Smith fired back on Wednesday’s edition of ESPN take firstEven touting his HBCU credentials.

“You left something out and you know what? You left out the fact that I was in the fourth grade and I was left back out because I had a first-grade readership. And here I am on national television after graduating from an HBCU, going up against Hall of Famers who have played professional sports all the time… the elite journalist in this business, and I’m coming from an HBCU and still doing what I’m doing.”

Smith is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University and has done significant HBCU philanthropy work throughout her career. He has also used the platform of take first to highlight HBCUs and HBCU athletics, but Smith has been involved in numerous feuds and wars of words, often citing his HBCU connections.

Still, the Pelicans are undaunted, as they posted a response tweet to Smith’s criticism with the caption, “A five-minute monologue from a former NBA player on how to shoot.” The feud will eventually settle down, but Stephen A. is determined to show that he is not to be messed with.

史蒂芬·史密斯从来不会在对抗中退缩，他最近选择了与新奥尔良鹈鹕队的一场战斗。在他批评锡安·威廉姆森体重的一段视频后，鹈鹕队的社交媒体团队进行了反击，转发了一段视频，显示斯蒂芬·A·史密斯在篮球场上尝试跳投和拳击时失误，以展示他是一名低于标准的运动员。

视频中的音频也让人回想起他在 2008 年 2 月对夸梅·布朗参与保罗·加索尔交易的评价，当时他称布朗是“真正的磨砂膏”。史密斯在周三的 ESPN 节目中进行了反击 第一次拍摄，甚至吹捧他的 HBCU 资历。

“你漏掉了一些东西，你知道吗？你漏掉了我在四年级的事实，而我被留了下来，因为我的阅读水平是一年级。从 HBCU 毕业后，我出现在国家电视台上，一直与从事职业体育运动的名人堂成员……这个行业的精英记者对抗，而来自 HBCU 的我仍在做我正在做的事情。”

史密斯毕业于温斯顿塞勒姆州立大学，在其职业生涯中为 HBCU 做出了重要的慈善事业。他还使用过以下平台 第一次拍摄 为了突出 HBCU 和 HBCU 体育运动，但史密斯经常在他参与的许多争执和口水战中引用他与 HBCU 的联系。

尽管如此，鹈鹕队并没有被吓倒，他们在推特上回应了史密斯的咆哮，并配文说：“前 NBA 球员关于如何投篮的五分钟独白。”争执最终会平息，但史蒂芬·A. (Stephen A.) 坚决要让大家知道他是不值得玩弄的。

The math says Zion Williamson’s injured New Orleans Pelicans have almost no chance of reaching the NBA Play-In Tournament. Dejounte Murray says otherwise. After spending 13 months recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Murray made his season debut on Tuesday and immediately took to social media with some bold announcements.

There will be no holidays in New Orleans. A handful of people in the organization, including Murray and broadcaster Antonio Daniels, suggest the Pelicans will make a push for the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot.

Murray posted on “Can we treat every game like a championship game and win, win, win? Yes. Can we get the last spot in them in the play-ins??? Duhhhh.”

The All-Star point guard’s postseason aspirations are, generously speaking, optimistic. The excitement after the start of the season is understandable; The reality is serious. New Orleans won two of their first three games after the NBA All-Star break and will soon have a fully healthy roster. According to Borrego, Murray’s return actually added some ‘balance’ to the process.

However, the basement-dwelling Pelicans have less than two dozen games left to overcome their 11-game deficit. The schedule is manageable, but the bigger picture of what the LA Clippers are trying to pursue is undeniable.

Murray’s henchmen are about to embark on a six-game road trip, although five of the next seven games are against lottery-bound squads looking to lose to improve their odds. Unfortunately, the Clippers have the third-easiest schedule to end the regular season. Still, the core of this team could build some momentum and chemistry that should be valuable next season, when the team hopes to compete for a top-six seed.

Pelicans moving towards stability

James Borrego’s improved starting five features two All-Star-caliber veterans instead of two rookies. At least one current starter will be replaced when Trey Murphy III and Yves Missy become available, which should be soon.

“It’s very complicated right now,” Borrego confessed. “It’s going to be more complicated over the next game or two. It’s a good problem; we’ve been waiting for it. We’ve got healthy bodies back, we’re playing good basketball, and guys are confident right now. It’s complicated, a puzzle I have to figure out night after night. I can’t make 15 guys happy, but I know 15 guys are ready to go. And I have confidence in all 15. At any given moment, it’s their night, your moment, “Maybe your quarter.”

The main points are becoming clear. Murray will run point for the next six weeks. Given the continued communication with Joe Dumars and the urgency to return to action, fans can expect the former All-Star to be in Metairie for training camp next September. Zion Williamson’s value ahead of the NBA trade deadline was a wake-up call to the sagging face of the franchise. However, the front office has found a way to get Williamson on the court and smiling, so hopefully the experiment will be extended.

Fans can expect Williamson and Murray to take turns handling the ball and setting the table to create chances for everyone else. Herb Jones is beloved by fans, admired by teammates and feared by enemies around the world. Not on Herb for not starting the game on the bench. Trey Murphy III is arguably the best player in the Big Easy, and possibly the best shooter on the planet. His length and versatility fit him well on the wing opposite Jones.

Depending on the matchup, Yves Missy, Derrick Queen and Saddiq Bey will likely alternate as the fifth starter. Bey is a tactical play as a sixth man option to boost scoring off the bench. For example, it gives Jeremiah Fear a new outlet. However, the Pelicans have played from behind too often this season. Building momentum and allowing young players to thrive against other units is the only way to keep the play-in tournament dreams alive until March Madness begins.

The guard should be the first to keep fear off the bench. Murray is on a minutes restriction right now, and the recent first-round investment means the rookie will get significant development time on the court next season. Jordan Poole is clearly out of Borrego’s metaphorical doghouse, but his potential with the team this postseason is limited. Expect Poole to punch out an average of about 20 minutes per night, depending on whether his shot is falling and passing is on point.

The queen and bay together should log about 50 minutes per night. The potential of that pair should be given time to develop. If the pool is playing a lot, Micah Peavy and Bruce McGowens are ready for a bigger role in getting the data. The Pelicans are getting serious about setting a new standard in every way. When Missy and Queen get tired or face obstacles, Karlo Matkovic substitutes the pace front court. Matkovic is still earning Borrego’s trust in small increments.

It may not be enough to clinch the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot, but this gameplan gives the Pelicans a real chance to try for an NBA playoff spot next season. Joe Dumars has arguably walked away from some sensible offseason controversy if Poole and Jordan Hawkins are among those taking a pay cut.

Murray, Williamson, Murphy III and Queen have All-Star potential. Fear is a firecracker. Not on Herb could still win Defensive Player of the Year. Bey may have been the best buy-low deal bet of the last 12 months. The outline is there. He just needs one season without injuries to light the championship fire. The next six weeks are the lowest of low-pressure situations to show fans why they should still be excited about the viability of this foundation.

With six weeks remaining in the regular season, James Borrego is making a final case to remove the interim tag. For better or worse, as the rookie-led New Orleans Pelicans embark on a crucial post-All-Star Game stretch, the acting head coach knows exactly where the front office’s magnifying glass will be focused. Any shortfall means being in the news for all the wrong reasons after the 82-game task is complete.

Borrego, replacing Willie Green, will have to show he can solve two persistent issues that have plagued the Pelicans this season. Slow starts and inconsistent clutch production have been an issue for too long given the top-level talent available. Players have to close out games, but the coaching staff is ready to make a plan at the starting point.

“It’s a responsibility when you try to get your team off to a good start and set the tone for the night. We haven’t done that (this season), but that’s the goal, we have a job ahead of us,” Borrego said. “We have explored some other areas of development, but the beginning is extremely important. We have our eye on that and will make appropriate adjustments.”

The Pelicans are 24th in the standings based on first-quarter scoring alone and 18th in first-quarter points per game. Borrego’s group is winning only 27% of the time in the first quarter. Unfortunately, after hosting the Warriors on February 24, New Orleans embarks on a six-game road trip. The end of the season is more difficult. Seven of the team’s last 10 games are underway, culminating with facing the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 12.

If the team can even get 10 wins over the final six weeks of the season, Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver will probably give Borrego an honest chance at a full season. However, a slow start and inconsistent clutch production will leave the front office with no choice but to look to outside options.

詹姆斯·博雷戈帶領的新奧爾良鵜鶘隊擁有聯盟最強大的引擎之一，他們正在經歷一場根本性的、深思熟慮的轉變。錫安·威廉姆森的進攻上限從來沒有被懷疑過。從統計數據來看，它已經進入了NBA最佳陣容。然而，問題在於圍繞一個以高使用率、下坡力量為基礎的陣容建立一個可持續的防守生態系統，而他的最大價值來自於他手中的球。

這位全明星球員的塊頭最好用在低位阻擋或作為協防者，而不是攻擊點進攻者，因此詹姆斯·博雷戈將霸王球帶回了大容易。從一號到五號的大個子減輕了威廉姆森成為后防線橡皮擦的負擔，讓這位控球前鋒能夠在進攻時節省能量，同時仍然適合連貫、有效的防守方案。這就是為什麼薩迪克·貝、特雷·墨菲三世、赫伯·瓊斯和薩迪克·貝應該習慣當前的設置。

“嗯，我認為部分原因是我們增加了陣容的規模，”博雷戈指出。 “我們在這一領域緩慢但肯定地取得了進展，但你知道，我認為董事會，我們一直在關注董事會。”

對於一支一直在努力尋找防守定位的球隊來說，這一轉變代表著哲學上的轉變。博雷戈明確表示，如果防守沒有顯著改善，其中包括完成控球的籃板球，鵜鶘隊就無法爭奪相關性。新奧爾良隊最近變得更好，從本賽季的場均 43.9 個籃板（第 17 位）上升到自從進入更大的首發陣容以來，場均籃板數為 45.9 個（第 10 位）。

“在半場比賽中，身體素質是第一位的。只是以犯規為代價，變得更加靈活、身體素質和侵略性。我們正試圖通過我們的身體素質來扭轉這一局面，”博雷戈解釋道。 “所以，正如我和我們的球員們分享的那樣，要想成為聯盟中一支重要的球隊，你就必須防守。沒有一支球隊的防守能夠在聯盟中排名第 28、29 或 30 位。這不會發生。”

強調身高和肌肉補充了威廉姆森的比賽，同時解決了球隊的防守缺陷。通過用體型更大、身體素質更強的球員包圍控球前鋒，鵜鶘隊的目標是控制籃板並在油漆區建立更具威脅性的存在。

博雷戈指出：“那些比兩年前、一年前取得進步的球隊，都是通過防守鏡頭做到的。” “作為一個組織，我們必須找到一種防守身份來推動這件事向前發展。這就是我們的目標。我們的球員理解這一點，我們重視它，並且向前邁進，我們必須看到並要求防守是首要任務。”

博雷戈願意接受更多的犯規，以換取更多的身體素質，這標誌著方法的根本轉變。鵜鶘隊沒有採取謹慎的防守，而是採取了一種更加激進的心態，優先考慮破壞和強硬。這是扭轉停滯文化的第一步，這種文化似乎很適合參加 NBA 入圍賽。