New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears has had an up-and-down preseason. Like many roller coaster rides, the highs have been exhilarating almost to the point of fear. The lows have made stomachs drop and ache. However, as the 2025-26 regular season approaches, it’s clear that the Pelicans need to make one major change involving at least one-half of their star rookie duo.
Start him.
Why Pelicans Need To Start Rookie Jeremiah Fears
Many felt like the Pelicans best move this offseason was completing a trade for Jordan Poole. However, basketball is not a 1-on-1 sport. A successful team is more about the sum of the parts than the parts themselves. Bearing that in mind, just having Poole isn’t enough, they need to maximize him. Here’s how Fears figures into that.
Backcourt Symbiosis
Starting Fears benefits Poole because there are teams without the defenders needed to adequately guard one agile and instinctive ball-handler, let alone two at the same time.
Because he has established himself in the league, Poole will likely draw the tougher matchup in most games. Nevertheless, if Fears can take advantage of a less capable perimeter defender, it’ll force opposing coaches to make tough decisions. When Fears and Poole are on defense themselves, it’s still a symbiotic relationship. Poole is a willing and active defender but Fears has demonstrated higher defensive upside because he’s that much quicker and determined. At this end, Fears can take on the more difficult point guard matchups. This not only should help the Pelicans’ point-of-attack defense, it should allow Poole to conserve more energy for offense, where he’s best.
Fortifying Team Identity
Putting Fears in the first unit doesn’t just aid Poole though.
While the rookie has a ways to go in terms of passing precision and reading the defense, the rim pressure he creates when he’s streaking down the court creates lanes that others can exploit. In the preseason, this has typically benefited New Orleans’ big men. However, because the Pelicans like to get out and run, it actually works in the team’s favor as a whole. In other words, it won’t just be athletic dunkers like Yves Missi or Zion Williamson who can eat off of Fears’ downhill attacks. In fact, catch-and-shoot threats like Trey Murphy III can thrive in those situations as well, scoring off of drive-and-kicks or hockey assists.
Relieving His Pressure
Fears starting would make life easier for him, too. As of right now, what he needs to improve most is his physical strength and 3-point shooting. When he’s leading the charge from the bench, his problems with finishing through contact are glaring because of the sheer number of attempts he takes. Yet, he likely feels like he has to force the issue as the best on-ball scorer in the second unit. That wouldn’t be the case if he was alongside New Orleans’ starters.
In the same vein, if he was in the first unit, the defenses would be far more concerned about the attempts Poole, Williamson or Murphy were taking. As a result, he could find himself facing much softer defenses. Because those three can all operate as playmakers, his ability to knock down open 3s becomes more important. Nevertheless, Poole lives for taking 3s, unlike either Jose Alvarado or Dejounte Murray. Furthermore, if Fears were to operate as more of the lead guard than off-guard, the pressure to knock down catch-and-shoot 3s shifts more towards the latter. Indeed, that configuration might be more natural for both he and Poole.
Potential Concerns
Primarily because Fears needs to evolve as a facilitator and outside shooter, he’s an imperfect fit in the starting lineup. There’s also potential size concerns, as the Pelicans would be starting two slight-of-frame, 6-foot-4 guards in the backcourt. Last but certainly not least, this scenario would mean that New Orleans opted to bring defensive specialist Herb Jones off the bench. Still, Jones is a much more limited offensive player than Fears and more suited to defend wings and forward than guards. Additionally, despite being a career 36.6% 3-point shooter, he’s only shot 34% or above from 3 in one season.
© Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The post Pelicans Should Start Fearless Rookie In Season Opener appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.