By Peter Atencio
Being a better team in the coming season of the National Basketball Association will help the New Orleans Pelicans make it further in the playoffs.
The Pelicans’ sophomore cager Herb Jones, who made it to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team last season, said this as he gets ready for his second year when the 2022-2023 season tips off on Oct. 18.
“We want to get better than we were in the previous year, and not make the same mistakes that we did, and be a better team,” said the 23-year-old Jones, who is on a five-day visit in the country with his mother Verlander.
The 6’7” Jones, who plays forward for the Pelicans, flew into town last Saturday and took part in a basketball court dedication and youth clinic at the Enchanted Farm village of Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GK) in Angat, Bulacan on Monday.
Gawad Kalinga chairman Jose Luis Oquinena was among the many officials, fans, kids and supporters, who warmly welcomed Jones during the inauguration.
Carlos Barroca, NBA-Asia’s Associate Vice President of Basketball Operations, was also around.
Gawad Kalinga, a local non-profit organization that aims to alleviate poverty through affordable housing and community development programs, has completed the construction of a concrete court as part of the program of NBA Cares.
Herb’s mom, a retired assistant principal in a school in Perry County, Alabama, celebrated her 55th birthday before she joined her son in Manila.
Last April, the Pelicans earned their first playoff berth since 2018 after they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 105–101, on the road in the second round of the play-in. They had a 36-46 win-loss record at the end of their regular games in the Western Conference.
In the playoffs, the Pelicans bowed to the Phoenix Suns, winning two of six matches.
“The league is tough. There’s a lot of great talent. The challenge is to win the same amount of games and to get to the playoffs, and not just play in,” added Jones, who averaged 9.5 points and 3.8 rebounds.
Jones, who was selected 35th overall by the Pelicans in the 2021 NBA Draft, got to see his fans on Saturday following a visit to the NBA Store in Glorietta.
The return of Zion Williamson from injury is also something that Jones is looking forward to.
“I’m excited to play with him. He has a chip on his shoulders. He hasn’t played for a year,” added Jones, with his mom watching from the bleachers as his son gave pep talks to participating kids.
Williamson suffered a fracture in his right foot and underwent surgery during the off-season last year.
But last July, Williamson still signed a 5-year rookie extension with the Pelicans worth $193 million guaranteed.