Pelicans' Opening Game Focus

New Orleans Pelicans start regular season Wednesday night against Indiana Pacers.

New Head Coach Jamahl Mosley

Mosley must ensure team gets off to fast start this season.

Roster Continuity Challenge

Roster largely intact from last season risks falling back into bad habits.

Last Season's Struggles

Team started 0-6 and dismissed former coach Willie Green after 12 games.

Defensive Focus

Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray said defense was most important after toe injury.

“We was guarding. We was guarding”

Defense as Priority

Mosley led Orlando Magic to top-three defenses in two of last three years.

Paint and Rebounding Weakness

Team ranked 25th in opponent points in paint and 28th in defensive rebounding.

Defensive Center Search

Organization sought defensive center in free agency but no deal materialized.

Zion Williamson's Potential

Zion Williamson has skill set to be capable defender in league.

Coach Mosley's Defense Quote

Mosley said 'he’s too gifted, too athletic, too strong, too with high basketball IQ'.

“He’s too gifted, too athletic, too strong, too with a high basketball IQ to not be able to defend some of the best players in this league”

Five-Game Series Focus

Mosley will break games into five-game segments for better analysis.

Avoiding Past Failures

Last season's 0-6 start buried team's hopes for remainder of year.

Wednesday Game Goal

Mosley aims to implement culture shift through fast start.