The opening moments of an NBA game can often reveal a team’s intentions. For the family-focused New Orleans Pelicans , their starting defensive strategy in the season opener sent a clear message: Zion Williamson is being asked to lead on both ends of the court. On the second play of the game, the All-Star forward blitzed to double-team Ja Morant , switching onto the point guard to contest an off-balance jumper.

Morant sank a tough 20-foot shot with seconds remaining on the clock. However, rather than viewing it as a defensive failure, the Pelicans are pointing to it as a blueprint. For Williamson, the outcome of that single play is less important than the process and the statement it makes. These moments weren't flukes. No, they were signals of a deliberate evolution where defensiv

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