Jeremiah Fears follows the example of Tony Parker, Lamelo Ball

The the education of New Orleans Pelicans rookie Jeremiah Fears is guided by a unique coaching perspective, one that sees flashes of two different, brilliant point guards from James Borregothe past. The interim boss on the bench of Big Easy was training Tony Parker and LaMelo Ballseeing a bit of both in the Fears. Everyone in the building is leaning toward those parallels not to burden the 19-year-old with expectations, but to guide the Oklahoma alum through the inevitable turbulence of learning how to lead an NBA team.

Borrego shared a few treats with ClutchPoints around Thanksgiving.

“We talked about it, (Fears) and I,” Borrego began. “I think all three are natural scorers. I think I’ve said it before. They come in and that’s what makes them great. That’s why (Fears, Parker and Ball) are on this stage. Parker did it; LaMelo did it. Their instinct is to score, go downhill and make plays.”

That instinct has always been both a gift and a challenge for young point guards entering the league with the intent to attack. For fears, Pelicans see the same balance it was to be struck with Parker early in San Antonio and Ball in Charlotte. After all, it’s not for everyone to walk the tightrope between free agent brilliance and the demands of keeping veteran All-Stars happy.

“There’s a balance between finding your own and playing within the system and making sure you’re playing as a five-man unit,” Borrgeo added. “It’s not always easy for a rookie. LaMelo struggled at times. I had to get it right and it took a while.”

The Pelicans are willing to live with those shots because they see the right signs behind the scenes.

While Borrego admits the rookie is still figuring out when to push, when to pass and when to let the game breathe, he said Ferce’s work ethic has quickly become a defining trait inside the building.

“The goal is to find the best look for the team,” Borrego explained. “Jeremiah has been great. He’s open, he wants to be great. (He’s) working harder than anybody in that building. Ultimately, he’s going to get there because of his work ethic, his talent, his swagger, his confidence, all of that, but there are learning curves along the way. And it’s probably not just Jeremiah, especially in that backcourt, that’s the place. The toughest challenge. You’re trying to manage the game, and still live in your instincts as a basketball player. the child should be in college.

Borrego mentioned Parker again, stressing that even future Hall of Famers take time. Parker entered the league at 19 and endured tough love from Gregg Popovich, who routinely benched him, barked at him and demanded command of the offense before trusting him.

“I saw (Tony Parker) evolve into that. Tony, it took a few years with (Greg Popovich). You know, Pop was on his tail day in and day out. Game after game,” Borrego recalled. “(Parker) didn’t finish every game. Sometimes he would come out of the lineup, so there’s a learning curve for all these young starters. With LaMelo, I liked that process with him as well, taking his time, talking about game management.”

The same process is underway in New Orleans, though Borrego emphasizes that Fears brings a humility and eagerness that make him easy to coach.

“Nothing different. (Fears) is a wonderful child,” stressed Borrego. “He’s a sponge who wants to get better and great.”

The Pelicans aren’t looking to Jeremy Fears to be the next Tony Parker or LaMelo Ball. They simply see the outline. And if Fears follows him with the same eagerness he’s already shown, Borrego believes the rookie point guard will grow into the role the same way his predecessors did. By learning, adapting and believing that the hard parts are part of the climb, Fears is surely cemented in the foundation of the Big Easy for the foreseeable future.