Why is New Orleans switching so much more now? It has to do with the team’s personnel. The Pelicans have a drawer full of Swiss Army knives. Seven of their rotation players are between 6-foot-6 and 6-9. “Everybody talks about the (Toronto) Raptors’ length,” Larry Nance Jr. said. “We could throw a lineup of the same thing, if not longer and taller. Our versatility defensively is such an asset for us.” Nance is listed at 6-7, but he has spent 92% of his minutes at center this season, according to Cleaning the Glass. He has been the Pelicans’ most-used backup center, in large part because of his defensive versatility. When he is in the game, the Pelicans typically switch all ball screens in what Green calls the team’s “red” defensive coverage.
by Hoops Hype