Derrick Queen protected himself from ‘getting into every action’ on defense

Learning curves tend to be steep at the NBA and interim head coaching levels James Borrego knows that it is especially challenging for beginners. That’s it why the New Orleans Pelicans are simplifying their defensive protection schemes Derrick Quinn from being overwhelmed defensively, an approach that is already paying off as the 19-year-old adjusts to the NBA’s speed and responsibilities.

Kraljica, selected for his touch and offensive upside, quickly found himself at the center of scouting reports. Opponents tried to get him into pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll — a standard stress test for young players. Borrego said the coaching staff made early adjustments to prevent the queen from “getting into every action” while still allowing him to grow.

“I think (Derrick Quinn) is doing great,” Borrego said. “This is all new for him. We try to keep the pick-and-roll coverage as simple as possible, which means we all know where it’s coming from. Now we might be more aggressive on certain pick-and-rolls, but we try to keep it as simple as possible.”

That simplification starts with structure. Instead of forcing Quinn to handle an entire menu of defensive calls, the Pelicans narrowed down his responsibilities.

Learning just a couple of covers is enough to compete, but not enough to make a beginner hesitant.

“(The queen) has a few reports he has to call. It’s new for him,” Borrego noted. “If we can limit him to two coverages, it simplifies him for a young big man who gets involved in every play. He handled it with a lot of maturity and growth. I thought (against the Minnesota Timberwolves) he took another step forward in his pick-and-roll coverage.”

Beyond simplification, Borrego encouraged Queen to play with increased aggression at the point of attack. The coach wants the rookie to put pressure on ball handlers and use his natural defensive instincts rather than play passively. Dictating the terms instead of accepting them is key to achieving his full potential.

“(The queen) is much more active. That’s what I want from him,” Borrego boasted. “I want those ball handlers to feel uncomfortable with Queen up there. He’s got great hands and feel. I’d rather have him be the aggressor right now and I think he does a really good job with guys (on defense) and on the ball, but we’re trying to move and move on the back end. I think DK is growing in pick and roll coverage.”

The customized plan emphasizes the NBA’s modern development philosophy. Instead of throwing a rookie into the deep end of complex defensive schemes, teams are increasingly creating structured, repeatable scenarios to build confidence and instincts. For Derrick Quinn and the Pelicans, the streamlined starting point is designed to be the foundation for the versatile, aggressive defender they believe he can become.