Pelicans’ Naji Marshall reacts to significant role change next to Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram

Third-year head coach Willie Green is getting ‘artistic’ with the rotations a few weeks before the New Orleans Pelicans split for the NBA All-Star break. Switching up what is working for a team 26-18 squad sitting tied for fifth place could ruffle some feathers in some locker rooms. Not in the Smoothie King Center though. Even with the role changes and minutes crunch, key reserve Naji Marshall voiced his approval of the team’s approach over the last few games.

Marshall, at 39% from beyond the arc, is all-in with Green’s team-wide directive to take more three-pointers. The Pelicans have gotten up over 40 attempts in each of the last three games, with two blowout wins as a result. The loss to the Phoenix Suns was a blip, a fluke on the schedule according to Green. Some nights shots just do not fall. That does not mean New Orleans should shy away from the strategy.

Asked about sticking with the current game plan, Marshall was emphatic.

“Right now at this point, I definitely do (think we should). We’re sharing the ball, trusting our teammates, and we’re making it easier on those guys by knocking down shots. I like this style of basketball. It’s led us to some victories and I hope we keep it up.”

Zion Williamson is putting in extra work and it’s playing a big part in getting the team open looks.

“(Williamson) attracts the whole defense, coaches, everybody so it’s a beautiful thing to see. We get time to shoot open shots and it’s really paying off so I love it…” Marshall boasted. “People sleeping on him nationally. Zion is an amazing player and kind of seeing what he is doing this season, he’s got so many aspects to his game. They take the paint away, he shares (the ball) with his team. Every year is better and better. So definitely slept on.”

Why the changes are working is no secret, it’s the work put in months ago when no one was looking. The guys in that no-cameras-allowed gym now trust each other when the world is watching.

“I think it’s guys trusting each other, trusting each other being ready to knock down open shots. It’s just a beautiful thing to see. I remember coming in here earlier in the year and telling you all the things we were working on. Now you see it come to light…,” Marshall explained. “Credit the development. This group has been together almost two and a half years so I think it’s all just coming together. The time we put in, the work, all that’s starting to come together.”

Naji Marshall mindful of role, Pelicans’ minutes crunch