Why Jeremiah Fears Reminds James Borrego of Tony Parker

There are certain traits that NBA coaches will say can’t be produced in the gym or taught on the board. When is it new look New Orleans Pelicans drafted Jeremiah Fears, scouting reports spoke of speed, burst and a fearless downhill attack. Just a few months into his NBA career, however, internal comparisons have accelerated into thin air. Interim head coach James Borrego even mentioned Tony Parker as a Hall of Famer.

It’s a lofty parallel, but Borrego, who spent years as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs during Parker’s prime, don’t do it lightly.

“(Fear) 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 the top 10 guards that can do that right now,” Borrego boasted. “He doesn’t need a pick and roll and he can paint at will when he wants.”

Still, as Borrego is quick to note, getting to the edge is only half the battle.

“Then it’s about making decisions. I’m going down, now what?” Borrego noticed. “Occasionally, for young guys throughout their careers, they’ve been able to finish in that area against maybe a smaller, less athletic player. In the NBA, it’s a different animal.”

This is where the novice’s education begins and where Borrego’s experience with Tony Parker becomes a vital teaching tool.

“Just having that poise, poise and decision-making to make the right play on the edge when it comes down. That’s where we’re growing with him,” Borrego explained. “(Fears) is going to make some great plays. Hopefully we start to eliminate some of those who can go the other way. That comes with time and he’s very aware of that. He’s an unselfish player. He sets our tempo, drives our tempo. Now it’s about making decisions (on the edge) with the talent base he’s around. It’s like a running back. You have a responsibility to manage.

This precise intersection where elite physical gift meets the necessity of a high IQ is invaluable to fears.

It’s also where comparison turns from mere flattery into a tangible development path.

“I was fortunate to be around some point guards that had that talent. Tony Parker was a natural shooter when we got him,” Borrego said. “Speed, pace, I share a lot with Jeremiah. Tony was a goalscorer at his core. Great pace and a high level player.”

The parallel is striking. Parker, the 28th pick in 2001, entered the league as a jet-setting water bug whose primary instinct was to score. His evolution into a championship orchestrator was a painful, formative process under Gregg Popovich, who learned to balance his gifts with the responsibilities of managing legends.

“(Parker) had to learn how to manage (Tim Duncan), (Manu Ginobili), (Finley). That was part of his game,” Borrego recalled. “It took a minute to convey that to him (Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich), especially when it’s your nature. More than anything, Jeremiah is willing to learn. He’s a sponge. He’s curious. If you have that character mentality, you’ll get there. I think that’s where we’re headed.”

The Pelicans aren’t just trying to develop a good point guard. They are deliberately leading a uniquely gifted force downhill through a transformation they have seen succeed at the highest level. For now, Jeremiah Fears is soaking it all in, one downhill ride at a time, proving Tony Parker’s Hall of Fame draft could be within reach.