New Orleans Pelicans Should Keep This Starting Lineup Together

The New Orleans Pelicans in the last two games have been completely different than their first four. There's an argument to be made that it's just a lower level of competition than the first four opponents, but those making those arguments would only be watching the box scores rather than the actual game. The lineup of Jeremiah Fears, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Karlo Matkovic has injected new life into this team. On paper, it does make more sense for theStephen Lew-Imagn Images up-tempo style of play that Jamahl Mosley has said he wants to play.Jones, Williamson, Murphy and Fears all have the ability to create for others at some level without having too much conflict. The two point guard lineup they began with created a lot of clashing and miscommunication. An understanding of roles is something that Mosley has preached a lot of, but hadn't come through all the times through the first few games.Matkovic brings a lot of energy to the floor, but not only that, actual spacing as a threat to sheet a three. He’s the only big on this roster that teams have to think about from deep. Any hesitation in the paint means two points for Williamson. Williamson has looked fantastic no matter who is out there this season, but this is a more complimentary group. He and Fears have made progress as a duo as well. There was a moment where the sophomore found Williamson for a slam and then Fears found pride in the playmaking. He has seemed more comfortable making the right reads.Over the first couple of games this year, everyone was begging to see more of Jones. This game showed why. After the win over the Sacramento Kings, Mosley called Jones a “winner” who makes the right play. He has been the glue of this lineup for years now and shouldn’t leave the starting rotation again.It’s hard to find a lineup that Murphy doesn’t bring something to, but even he has had a hard time building out a role in this offense. He brought a ton of hustle to this game and it started to pay off late as he found his groove.And of course the thing everyone has been focusing on, the fact that Fears looks so much more comfortable as the only point guard on the floor. There is less conflict and the ball moves more. That’s of course predicated on Fears finding his teammates, but he’s been able to rack up 20 assists over the last two nights.The Pelicans have finally found something that works. There’s no reason to abandon it, until it doesn’t.