James Borrego explains why more size and physicality will right NOLA’s ship

Armed with one of the most powerful engines in the league, James Borrego’s busted New Orleans Pelicans they are undergoing a fundamental and deliberate change. Zion Williamson’s offensive ceiling he was never in doubt; that’s statistically through the All-NBA roof. However, the problem has been building a viable defensive ecosystem around a roster anchored by a high-usage, downhill force whose greatest value comes with the ball in his hands.

The All-Star is best used on the low block or as a help defender rather than a forward, so James Borrego is bringing back the Bully Ball to the Great Lake. Bigger bodies from one to five reduce the burden on Williamson to be a back-end rubber, allowing the point forward to conserve energy for offense while still fitting into a coherent, effective defensive scheme. That’s why Saddiq Bey, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jonesand Saddiq Bey should get used to the current setup.

“Well, I think part of it is we’ve added a little more size to the lineup,” Borrego noted. “Slowly but surely we’re making progress in this area, but you know, I think the board, we’re bringing attention to the board.”

The change represents a philosophical shift for a team struggling to find its defensive identity. Borrego made it clear that the Pelicans cannot compete for relevance without a dramatic improvement on defense, which includes rebounding to finish possessions. New Orleans has has gotten better latelyfrom 43.9 rebounds per game (17th) this season to 45.9 (10th) since moving to a bigger starting lineup.

“Physicality number one in the half court. Just to be more nimble, physical and aggressive at the expense of fouls. We’re trying to turn this thing around through our physicality,” Borrego explained. “So, as I’ve shared with our guys, to be a relevant team in this league, you have to play defense. There’s no relevant team that’s going to be 28th, 29th or 30th in the league defensively. It’s just not going to happen.”

Adding length and muscle complements Williamson’s game while addressing the team’s defensive deficiencies. By surrounding the point forward with bigger, more physical players, the Pelicans aim to control the glass and establish an intimidating presence in the paint.

“Teams that have improved even from two years ago, a year ago, they did it through the defensive frame,” Borrego noted. “We as an organization have to find a defensive identity to move this thing forward. And that’s the goal here. Our guys understand that, we appreciate that, and moving forward, we have to see and demand that defense be a priority.”

Boreg’s willingness to accept more fouls as a trade-off for increased physical strength signals a fundamental change in approach. Instead of playing cautious defense, the Pelicans embrace a more aggressive mentality that favors disruption and toughness. It’s the first step toward reversing a stagnant culture that seems comfortable with appearances in the NBA Play-Ins.