<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/james-borrego-pelicans-finding-valuable-possessions-prized-rookies-jeremiah-fears-derik-queen');   ga('set', 'title', 'Where James Borrego’s Pelicans are finding ‘valuable possessions’ for Jeremiah Fears');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jeremiah-Fears-layup-Pelicans.jpg"><figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Where James Borrego’s Pelicans are finding ‘valuable possessions’ for Jeremiah Fears</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-07T18:26:31-08:00">December 7th, 6:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-07T18:26:31-08:00">December 7th, 6:26pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Playing with “speed and violence” has been a tenet of James Borrego’s since being elevated to the head job. Turning every change of possession, make or miss by the opponent, into an opportunity for Jeremiah Fears to ignite the break has been a catalyst for quick transitions and an aggressive pace. Fellow rookie Derik Queen and the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/key-area-pelicans-starting-show-winning-pride-james-borrego">New Orleans Pelicans are taking the intense</a> attention-to-detail <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBsuEDufxyU" rel="noopener">messaging to heart</a>.</p><p>“Well, I think the inbound is really important,” Borrego began. “Your offense really starts on the rebound, that’s when you become fastest, right. When you get some kind of defensive rebound, you’re going. Those are probably going to be your fastest possessions because you’re up the floor, obviously.”</p><p>The Pelicans have particularly focused on exploiting opportunities after the opponent scores, a less conventional approach to generating transition offense. But Borrego emphasized that the Pelicans aren’t simply hunting pace after defensive stops. They’ve tapped into another source of early offense that has become just as valuable for unlocking Fears’ speed.</p><p>“We’re looking for kick-aheads,” continued Borrego. “Where we are finding a lot of valuable possessions is after makes. Getting the ball out quick and finding these jets up the floor, whether it is (Jose Alvarado) or (Jeremiah Fears), and they are going. We’re putting pressure (on the opponent immediately).”</p><p>At the heart of this tactical push is Fears, whose one-man fast-break capability has drawn early comparisons from the coaching staff.</p><p>“(Jeremiah Fears) sets the tone for us,” admitted Borrego. “Our pace is set by him; he is a one-man fast break. He gets downhill. I think even after a make, he can get coast to coast. Did it once after a free throw.”</p><p>Borrego placed Fears in rare company, comparing the rookie’s end-to-end explosiveness to some of the league’s elite transition creators.</p><p>“There are only a few guys in the league, and we can go down the list of three or four guys that can do that end to end,” Borrego explained. “(Ja Morant) and (De’Aaron Fox) over time have been that guy who can go end to end, coast to coast, and Fears is another who can do that. He is going to be a big part of us generating those threes because he is a big part of our pace and aggression overall.”</p><p>Fears cannot be responsible for the team’s pace, though. The approach requires a team-wide mentality focused on swift ball movement, Borrego said, starting with efficient inbounds to shift momentum.</p><p>“It starts with that. There has got to be a mentality to get the ball out quick and up the floor,” Borrego stressed. “We want to move the ball above the free-throw line and get it going the other direction. A big part of that is the quick inbound to get the ball up the floor.”</p><p>The Pelicans may still be adjusting to a new system and a new voice on the sideline, but Borrego’s approach has become unmistakable. Inbound quickly, reverse the floor, and get the ball to Jeremiah Fears before defenses can settle. Using the rookie’s one elite skillset to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-james-borrego-protecting-derik-queen-being-put-into-every-action-defense">set the table for Derik Queen</a> is a great foundation for the future.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Where James Borrego’s Pelicans are finding ‘valuable possessions’ for Jeremiah Fears

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-pushing-jeremiah-fears-using-tony-parker-lamelo-ball-examples-james-borrego');   ga('set', 'title', 'How Pelicans are pushing Jeremiah Fears using Tony Parker, LaMelo Ball as examples');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Jeremiah-Fears-following-Tony-Parker-Lamelo-Ball-examples.jpg"></figure><h1>How Pelicans are pushing Jeremiah Fears using Tony Parker, LaMelo Ball as examples</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-30T20:36:03-08:00">November 30th, 8:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-30T20:36:03-08:00">November 30th, 8:36pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/how-jeremiah-fears-family-pelicans-rookie-onboarding-process">education of New Orleans Pelicans rookie Jeremiah Fears</a> is being guided by a unique coaching perspective, one that sees flashes of two distinct, brilliant point guards from James Borrego’s past. The Big Easy’s interim bench boss has coached Tony Parker and LaMelo Ball, seeing a bit of both in Fears. Everyone in the building is leaning into those parallels not to burden the 19-year-old with expectations, but to guide the Oklahoma alum through the inevitable turbulence of learning how to run an NBA team.</p><p>Borrego <a href="https://x.com/pelsfilmroom/status/1993830143333421320" rel="noopener">shared a few tidbits</a> with ClutchPoints around Thanksgiving.</p><p>“We’ve talked about it, (Fears) and I,” Borrego began. “I think all three are natural scorers. I think I’ve said that before. They’ve come in and that’s what makes them great. That is why (Fears, Parker, and Ball) are on this stage. Parker did it; LaMelo did it. Their instinct is to score, go get downhill, and make plays.”</p><p>That instinct has always been both a gift and a challenge for young point guards who enter the league wired to attack. For  Fears, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/fix-zion-williamson-pelicans-need-james-borrego-engineer-immediately-nba-standings">Pelicans see the same balance</a> that had to be struck with Parker early in San Antonio and Ball in Charlotte. Walking the highwire tension between freelancing brilliance and the demands of keeping All-Star veterans happy is not for everyone after all.</p><p>“There is a balance between finding yours and playing within a system and making sure that you’re playing as a five-man unit,” added Borrgeo. “That is not always easy for a rookie. LaMelo struggled at times. I had to correct that and it just took some time.”</p><p>The Pelicans are willing to live with those bumps because they’re seeing the right signs behind the scenes.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Jeremiah-Fears-Pelicans-celebrates-shot.jpg"><figcaption>John Hefti-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While Borrego acknowledges that the rookie is still figuring out when to push, when to pass, and when to let the game breathe, he said Fears’ work ethic has quickly become a defining trait inside the building.</p><p>“The goal is to find the best looks for the team,” Borrego explained. “Jeremiah has been great. He’s open, he wants to be great. (Fears) works harder than anyone in that building. Ultimately, he is going to get there because of his work ethic, his talent, his swagger, his confidence, all that, but there are learning curves along the way. And it’s not just Jeremiah, it’s any rookie, especially at the point guard spot. That’s probably the toughest challenge. You’re trying to manage the game, manage a team, and still live in your instincts as a basketball player. That’s a lot to manage when you’re 19 years old. This kid should be in college this year as a freshman.”</p><p>Borrego brought up Parker again, underscoring that even future Hall of Famers needed time. Parker entered the league at 19 and endured tough love from Gregg Popovich, who routinely benched him, barked at him, and demanded command of the offense before granting trust.</p><p>“I saw (Tony Parker) evolve into that. Tony, it took a couple of years with (Gregg Popovich). You know, Pop was on his tail day after day. Game after game,” Borrego recalled. “(Parker) did not finish every game. Sometimes he would come out of the lineup, so there is a learning curve there for all of these young rookies. With LaMelo, I loved that process with him as well, taking time, talking game management.”</p><p>That same process is underway in New Orleans, though Borrego emphasizes that Fears brings a humility and eagerness that makes coaching him easy.</p><p>“Nothing different. (Fears) is a wonderful kid,” Borrego stressed. “He is a sponge who wants to get better and be great.”</p><p>The Pelicans aren’t asking Jeremiah Fears to be the next Tony Parker or LaMelo Ball. They simply see the blueprint. And if Fears follows it with the same drive he’s already shown, Borrego believes the rookie point guard will grow into the role the same way his predecessors did. By learning, adjusting, and trusting that the difficult parts are all part of the ascent, Fears is surely cemented in the Big Easy’s foundation for the foreseeable future.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

How Pelicans are pushing Jeremiah Fears using Tony Parker, LaMelo Ball as examples

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/how-jeremiah-fears-family-pelicans-rookie-onboarding-process');   ga('set', 'title', 'How Jeremiah Fears’ family eases Pelicans’ rookie onboarding process');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/How-Jeremiah-Fears-family-eases-rookie-onboarding-process.jpg"></figure><h1>How Jeremiah Fears’ family eases Pelicans’ rookie onboarding process</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-24T18:16:51-07:00">October 24th, 6:16pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-24T18:20:44-07:00">October 24th, 6:20pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>For an NBA rookie, the initial whirlwind of preseason games, new cities, and facing off against childhood idols can be overwhelming. For <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-bet-jeremiah-fears-replacing-chris-paul">New Orleans Pelicans new go-to guard Jeremiah Fears</a>, the antidote to that chaos has been a simple, powerful constant: family. Over a dozen family members gathered in Memphis to watch the 19-year-old’s NBA regular-season debut. The support system isn’t just in the stands either.</p><p>Family is woven into the very fabric of Fears’ early professional journey, turning milestone moments into shared memories.</p><p>“It means a lot, that support, especially for someone as young as me,” Fears admitted to ClutchPoints. “Seeing family here and being able to get them the experience for my first game. It was pretty cool for them, but it was pretty cool for me as well.”</p><p>That grounding presence has been a cornerstone as Fears navigates this new professional environment, both on and off the court. On it, he’s already soaking up lessons from veteran teammates.</p><p>“It was great playing with Zion,” beamed Fears. “(Williamson) brings a lot to the table. You can learn from him even though he is super young.”</p><p>Fears also had his <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401809938/pelicans-grizzlies" rel="noopener">first taste of high-stakes</a> competition, squaring off against Ja Morant.</p><p>“Playing against Ja was super dope,” the rookie admitted. “(Morant) talked to me a little bit after the game. At the same time, you’ve got to go out there and compete, so he was probably trying to kill me.”</p><p>As for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/new-orleans-pelicans-biggest-jeremiah-fears-concern-2025-nba-summer-league">how Fears was approaching the matchups</a> against Morant?</p><p>“I was trying to kill him.”</p><p>Morant’s now-viral pointing taunt directed at Fears at the end of that game got plenty of attention, but the rookie shrugged it off as a true “welcome to the NBA” moment. While his teammate <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-zion-williamson-issues-playful-warning-ja-morant-after-grizzlies-loss">Zion Williamson disagreed with that assessment</a>, Fears held his ground.</p><p>“I would definitely say not yet,” he stressed. “In preseason, there was a moment when (Kevin Durant) was doing some crazy stuff. Other than that, I don’t think there was a moment in this game I would say.”</p><p>We’ll make sure to ask Fears about that assessment after another 81 games.</p><h2><b>Jeremiah Fears knows purpose</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Pelicans-news-Jeremiah-Fears-fuels-hype-extremely-bold-prediction.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Beyond the highlight plays and competitive fire, Fears is channeling his rookie platform toward something far more meaningful. Finding purpose through pain requires a perspective that most would not wish on anyone, and the Fears family knows this reality intimately.</p><p>In partnership with the Paris Parker salon, Fears and family will host a special “Glam Up” event honoring 10 breast cancer patients from Ochsner Cancer Center. These women, currently undergoing or having completed treatment, will be treated to a full makeover experience at Paris Parker’s Carondelet St. location in New Orleans.</p><p>The event carries profound personal significance. Losing Jeremiah’s grandmother to breast cancer at just 45 years old has driven the family’s commitment to uplifting others facing similar battles. Through this collaboration with Ochsner Health, Fears demonstrates that his rookie onboarding process is not just about adjusting to NBA life. It’s about bringing his family along for the journey and using his new platform to honor those who can’t be there. In doing so, he’s showing maturity that extends far beyond his years on the court.</p><p>For the fourth-youngest player in the NBA, Jeremiah Fears is already understanding what it means to be a professional in every sense of the word.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

How Jeremiah Fears’ family eases Pelicans’ rookie onboarding process

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-bet-jeremiah-fears-replacing-chris-paul');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Pelicans bet on Jeremiah Fears finally replacing Chris Paul');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Why-Pelicans-bet-on-Jeremiah-Fears-finally-replacing-Chris-Paul.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Pelicans bet on Jeremiah Fears finally replacing Chris Paul</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T09:34:46-07:00">September 12th, 9:34am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T09:34:46-07:00">September 12th, 9:34am</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>A void has lingered over the Crescent City like a phantom limb, a persistent ache of what once was when Chris Paul was directing traffic on Poydras Street’s main court. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-news-new-orleans-espns-f-grade-2025-offseason">New Orleans Pelicans have wandered</a> through a point guard wilderness for the last 14 seasons, cycling through temporary solutions not quite up to the future Hall of Famer’s standard. That is why Joe Dumars decided the foundation of the next era would be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/new-orleans-pelicans-biggest-jeremiah-fears-concern-2025-nba-summer-league">built with Jeremiah Fears.</a></p><p>The franchise’s <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6622535/2025/09/12/pelicans-joe-dumars-opening-night-roster/" rel="noopener">search for a floor general</a> to help Zion Williamson has been a series of fleeting experiments (Rajon Rondo/CJ McCollum), injuries (Dejounte Murray/Lonzo Ball), and unmet potential (Dyson Daniels/Kira Lewis Jr). Jrue Holiday was once hyped up as an NBA MVP candidate. Still, the Pelicans rolled the dice once again with the 2025 NBA Draft’s seventh overall pick, selecting the youngest point guard in the prospect pool.</p><p>Thankfully, Fears understands the assignment by all accounts. After talking with a handful of college coaches who schemed against the Oklahoma Sooners last season, several league sources who strolled through the combine, and then following the Summer League experience closely, one thing is clear: The 18-year-old rookie will earn respect from the locker room in a way that sounds similar to Chris Paul’s coming-of-age process.</p><p>In fact, constant communication has been the easiest and most necessary adjustment since joining the Pelicans.</p><p>“I’m just continuing to be vocal,” Fears told ClutchPoints. “You’ve got to lead as a point guard, especially in the NBA, so just continuing to be vocal while trying to learn every single game. Learning my teammates and what positions and spots they like to be in, then trying to put them in those positions.”</p><p>Everyone understands that carrying the weight of postseason expectations while learning to navigate the complexities of professional basketball will be a challenge. Still, as the floor general, leadership is non-negotiable, and Fears is embracing the opportunity to fill in for Dejounte Murray to start the season. That is why the summer’s learning curve has gone far beyond on-court development.</p><p>Chris Paul does not play when it comes to the pregame routine or general readiness to hoop all season. Fears has embraced the professional lifestyle changes required at the NBA level, from the weight room to the kitchen. Questions about the favorite culinary cheat-day treats got a healthy laugh.</p><p>“(I just) eat the right stuff,” explained Fears. “I’m asking the nutritionist about the right stuff to put in your body, down to the calorie intake. It’s about taking your daily vitamins, the recovery shakes, and smoothies.”</p><p>If nothing else, Fears knows how to serve up a delicious answer for the fans. He should help bring a little extra youthful flavor to a locker room as well.</p><h2><b>Jeremiah Fears finding answers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Pelicans-news-Jeremiah-Fears-fuels-hype-extremely-bold-prediction.jpg"><figcaption>© Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The adjustment period was rough on the rookie initially, as Fears went 9-of-33 (2-of-11 3PA) with ten turnovers in the first two NBA Las Vegas Summer League games. Those mistakes were barely worth mentioning in the postgame press scrums. Seeing the floor as much as possible and figuring things out on the fly were more important for the Pelicans.</p><p>Pelicans coach Corey Brewer emphasized that the rookie’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsgrzAavFLQ" rel="noopener">improvement was evident</a> from game to game.</p><p>“His decision-making got a lot better (in Las Vegas),” Brewer noted. “From the first two games to the last game, he made a lot better reads. He got guys open shots and is only going to continue to get better. He is only 18 years old, but he made some plays for us.”</p><p>Fears agreed after the last loss, detailing the lessons learned before heading home.</p><p>“It’s learning when to pick your spots, when to take your shot. Got to get your teammates involved. Getting them involved early is going to help you and the team as well,” Fears began. “Really, learning guys are a lot more athletic. So, where to get it off the backboard, how high to get it, to give the ball a better chance to go in.”</p><p>Despite the learning curve, Brewer expressed confidence in how far along Fears is on the expected developmental trajectory.</p><p>“By game 40 or 50 next year,” Brewer predicted, “(Fears) is going to be a totally different player.”</p><p>That work starts well before the formal training camp, according to Brewer.</p><p>“(Fears is) getting better every game. He is learning,” Brewer stressed to ClutchPoints. “He has got to learn how to handle pressure better. It is the little things, but he is going to get better and better this summer. He can look at all the film from all those (NBA Summer League) games and see what he needs to work on.”</p><p>As the Pelicans prepare for the upcoming season, Fears represents a long-term solution to their point guard stability concerns. While growing pains are expected, the rookie’s coachability and mature approach to professional development so far suggest the franchise may have finally found someone to fill Chris Paul’s shoes.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Pelicans bet on Jeremiah Fears finally replacing Chris Paul

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/new-orleans-pelicans-biggest-jeremiah-fears-concern-2025-nba-summer-league');   ga('set', 'title', 'New Orleans Pelicans’ biggest Jeremiah Fears concern after 2025 NBA Summer League');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Fears.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>New Orleans Pelicans’ biggest Jeremiah Fears concern after 2025 NBA Summer League</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-25T06:51:18-07:00">July 25th, 6:51am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-25T06:52:00-07:00">July 25th, 6:52am</time><address><a>Rohan Brahmbhatt</a>Rohan Brahmbhatt is an adventure-driven sports writer, passionate footballer, mountaineer, and photojournalist. Rohan blends firsthand experience with storytelling—capturing the intensity of sport and the thrill of exploration. Whether on the field, a mountain trail, or behind the lens, he brings authentic, high-energy narratives that connect readers to the heart of the action.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New Orleans Pelicans’ 2025 NBA Summer League campaign has left more questions than answers. While the franchise’s summer squad has struggled to earn a win, there’s one figure who has garnered the most attention and scrutiny: Jeremiah Fears, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. At just 18 years old, Fears is being thrust into the spotlight, not only as a future franchise cornerstone but also as an early-season contributor with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-news-dejounte-murray-season-ending-leg-injury-celtics">Dejounte Murray expected to miss</a> the opening months of the 2025-26 season.</p><p>Fears’ Summer League performance was a roller coaster of tantalizing highs and concerning lows. He showed why the Pelicans took a chance on his upside, but also underscored just how steep the learning curve will be, particularly at the point guard position.</p><h2>Flashes of  brilliance: Why there’s hope in the chaos</h2><p>There’s no denying that Jeremiah Fears has “it.” His burst off the dribble, shiftiness in tight spaces, and advanced shot-creation package were all on full display in Vegas.</p><p>In his best outing, Fears poured in 22 points, along with six rebounds and six assists, in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a snapshot of his full offensive toolset: a lightning-quick first step, elite deceleration mechanics, and the ability to rise into a pull-up jumper in transition or in the half court. Fears consistently beat defenders off the dribble, forcing rotations and creating offensive advantages.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Top 2 point guard of all-time"</p><p>Jeremiah Fears when asked what he believes his career could look like🔥<br> <a href="https://t.co/gI4UZiSbw4">pic.twitter.com/gI4UZiSbw4</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1944224300028112938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Even more impressive? He was the only lottery pick in the 2025 class to appear in all five Summer League games. As his counterparts dealt with minor injuries, rest plans, or early exits, Fears stayed on the floor, gaining reps and absorbing information. The Pelicans’ staff took note, especially as his decision-making showed signs of growth late in the week.</p><p>But while the talent is undeniable, Summer League made it clear: Fears is far from a finished product.</p><h2>Pelicans concern: Is Jeremiah Fears ready to run the show in New Orleans?</h2><p>For all his upside, Jeremiah Fears’ biggest concern coming out of Summer League is his decision-making and efficiency, two non-negotiables for a lead guard.</p><p>Across five games in Vegas, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/yang-hansen-haters-pelicans-2025-nba-summer-league-biggest-losers">Fears averaged a team-high</a> 17.4 points per game, but shot just <a href="https://www.nba.com/2025-summer-league-vegas-player-stats" rel="noopener">18.2 percent from three</a>. Even more worrying were his 25 turnovers, compared to only 13 assists. That’s nearly five turnovers per game, an alarmingly high number, even for an 18-year-old rookie trying to adjust to NBA-level speed and spacing.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jeremiah Fears Final Summer League Stats: </p><p>17.4 PPG<br>2.8 APG (5.4 TOs per game)<br>3.8 RPG<br>1.4 SPG</p><p>40% FG<br>18%  3P <a href="https://t.co/bPTGGayT3Q">pic.twitter.com/bPTGGayT3Q</a></p><p>— Brady (@sideshowbrady) <a href="https://twitter.com/sideshowbrady/status/1946407061140488440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The issues weren’t about talent; they were about control. Fears often got into the paint with ease, but struggled finishing through contact, especially when matched up against stronger, more physical defenders. Without the strength to absorb contact or make consistently good reads against second-level defenders, many possessions ended in rushed layups, errant passes, or dead dribbles.</p><p>And this isn’t just a box-score concern. The eye test confirmed what the stats told us. Fears often oscillated between aggressiveness and recklessness. His shot selection, particularly from beyond the arc, was inconsistent. His handle, while flashy, occasionally got him into trouble in traffic.</p><p>For a franchise already dealing with years of instability at the guard position, this kind of learning curve will come with growing pains, especially with Fears projected to see early rotation minutes in the absence of Murray.</p><h2>Why the Pelicans need to be patient – but not passive</h2><p>It’s tempting to expect instant impact from a top-10 pick, especially when that player plays the most difficult position on the court. But it’s also important to zoom out.</p><p>Jeremiah Fears is 18. He’s months removed from high school, competing against players five to seven years older. He’s navigating NBA physicality, new schemes, and the responsibility of organizing professional sets. The fact that he stayed aggressive, didn’t shy away from the moment, and continued to attack despite <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-news-jeremiah-fears-fuels-hype-extremely-bold-career-prediction">mistakes says a lot about his mindset</a>.</p><p>What Fears lacks in polish, he makes up for in confidence, both in play and in personality. With “Fears 0” stitched across his back, he’s playing with the boldness that the Pelicans hope will define their next era. The team isn’t blind to his flaws; they’re hopeful that time in the weight room and regular-season reps will sharpen his tools.</p><p>There’s also reason to believe that playing next to veteran guards like Dejounte Murray will help balance his development. In those lineups, Fears won’t have to be the primary engine, just a spark.</p><p>The Pelicans are facing a pivotal stretch as a franchise. Coming off a 21-win season and entering a transitional year with a retooled front office, the margin for error is slim. New President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars and GM Troy Weaver have a vision, but it’s unclear how long the current core will stay intact.</p><p>If <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/biggest-new-orleans-pelicans-reactions-from-2025-nba-summer-league">Jeremiah Fears is to become the face of the rebuild</a>, he’ll need time, coaching, and structure. And if the Pelicans are to make anything of the 2025-26 season, they’ll need internal improvement from nearly every young piece, starting with their boldest draft bet.</p><p>There’s potential in New Orleans. But it’s going to take patience, and that may be the hardest sell of all.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
15.4	3.2	2.7	0.2	1.7

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
15.4	3.2	2.7	0.2	1.7

Jeremiah Fears

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New Orleans Pelicans’ biggest Jeremiah Fears concern after 2025 NBA Summer League

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