Tian Ji's horse racing strategy inspires off-peak playing time—are top draft picks now becoming substitutes?

The competition for the best sixth man is very intense recently. After Wembanyama came back, he has always played as a substitute, winning four out of five games, with the only loss against the Knicks in the NBA Cup, and also beating a full-strength Thunder team. The team has been winning consistently, and Wembanyama’s acceptance of the bench role highlights the Spurs’ culture of humility and selflessness.

The Spurs’ top pick is coming off the bench, and so is the Pelicans’ top pick. Zion, who was sidelined due to a right adductor injury, has also returned recently playing as a substitute. Since his comeback, the Pelicans, long at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, have yet to lose a game.

After today’s comeback win over the Mavericks, the Pelicans have secured a five-game winning streak, beating the Trail Blazers, Bulls, Rockets, Pacers, and Mavericks. In the 25-point comeback against the Rockets, the Pelicans committed all their key players and delivered their best performance of the season.

The Pelicans entered the fourth quarter trailing by 8 points but outscored their opponents 40-26 in the quarter. Early in the quarter, Poole led the charge, while Zion took over in the clutch moments. Both substitutes were the decisive factors in the Pelicans’ fourth-quarter victory.

Fat Tiger scored 10 points in the final quarter, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 and making all 4 free throws, dominating every matchup. He played 25 minutes total, shooting 10 of 14, finishing with a team-high 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Whenever he’s on the court, Fat Tiger proves to be formidable. Averaging just about 25 minutes per game makes him even more impressive.

Pelicans’ new head coach Borrego said, “Our goal is to maximize the value of his playing time. It’s like a carefully calculated tactical puzzle. His mature, team-first attitude toward a bench role deserves praise from everyone.”

Fat Tiger’s professionalism after being assigned to the bench is truly commendable; he says he’s willing to do whatever it takes for the team’s success. In four games off the bench, he averages 20 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4 assists with a 56.9% shooting rate. Moreover, coming off the bench allows him to conserve energy for key moments in the fourth quarter and reduces his injury risk due to fewer minutes.

The Pelicans’ recent winning streak is largely due to fully leveraging their youth advantage by distributing playing time evenly and wearing down opponents’ stamina. They find opportunities in adversity and never give up easily.

Borrego, succeeding Willie Green, is far superior in both ability and in-game coaching. He boldly placed Fat Tiger on the bench and skillfully manages player-coach relationships and playing time allocation.

Borrego previously served as interim coach for the Magic and was the Hornets’ head coach for four consecutive seasons, bringing ample head coaching experience. He is an ideal choice to take over mid-season. The Pelicans’ five-game winning streak is their first since March 2023, and the whole team is gradually improving.

As mentioned many times before, the Pelicans have no margin for error. Their next year’s first-round pick belongs to the Hawks, so there’s no reason to tank. Having no fallback also means no pressure; winning every game is the only thing players need to focus on.

After 12 games off the bench, Derrick Quinn was officially promoted to the starting lineup, and Fat Tiger’s return did not alter the rotation. It’s clear that the Pelicans see Quinn as their future cornerstone. The team’s main mission now is to develop Quinn, so management’s decision to trade away next year’s first-round pick won’t seem foolish.

In healthy competition with Fat Tiger, Quinn has been steadily improving, averaging 17.3 points, 11 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1 steal, and 1.3 blocks over the last three games, shooting 61.1% from the field.

Many first noticed Quinn during his matchup against Yang Hansheng in the Summer League. Quinn’s agile playing style left a strong impression on Chinese fans. After facing Jokic, even Jokic gave Quinn high praise.

Quinn isn’t a traditional old-school center; he lacks elite physical attributes and has average athleticism. However, his high ceiling lies in his exceptional basketball IQ, playing with creativity and rhythm. He reminds you of Jokic before he became an MVP.

Quinn’s growth trajectory will undoubtedly be long, but fortunately, he has all the Pelicans’ resources supporting him. Yang Hansheng, who faced him in the Summer League, had limited opportunities in the first half of his rookie season.

The Pelicans’ current five-game winning streak is the second longest in the league, and their ranking has risen to 13th in the Western Conference. Starting from last place and making a strong comeback, this season’s storyline for the Pelicans is truly a northern expedition.