Everyone plays in the Pelicans' Oct. 6 preseason opener, Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III included, coach Jamahl Mosley said at practice. Dejounte Murray is back from injury and scrimmaging daily against Jeremiah Fears, who added: "The guys not going to play a lot."
"Our depth is going to be the key for us this year," New Orleans' Jamahl Mosley said, with his bench having won its minutes across four preseason games. Jeremiah Fears said Mosley reshuffles the practice groups every day so players get a feel for each other.
Jeremiah Fears says film study has slowed the game down for him. New Orleans' Jamahl Mosley called Fears' command of the floor the main gain of his offseason, as he balances scoring, setting up teammates and calming the game: "that's great growth for that young man."
Jeremiah Fears, in his second year, has "the green light" to direct his New Orleans teammates into position, Jamahl Mosley said: "that's a point guard's job." Mosley sees him growing into the team's floor general.
New Orleans' Jeremiah Fears played on his birthday, Oct. 14, and said he is "very" different from the player in last year's birthday game, crediting teammates for bringing him along every day: "Just a great feeling being able to step on the court and play the game I love."