Even when you’re one of the quickest guards in the NBA, sometimes you need things to slow down.
For Pelicans’ rookie point guard Jeremiah Fears, things have started to slow down. It has helped him put up the type of numbers he’s put up on the Pelicans’ current road trip.
Fears is averaging 19.3 points, 4.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds over the past three games.
He'll try to continue his upward trend Tuesday night when the Pelicans (19-43) play the Los Angeles Lakers (36-24) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Fears, selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 draft, is coming off arguably the two best games of his rookie year on back-to-back nights. In Saturday’s win over the Utah Jazz, he recorded the second double-double of his career, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The 11 rebounds were a career-high.
The 6-foot-3 Fears followed that up Sunday by scoring a career-high 28 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“It’s just my pace,” said Fears, a former Oklahoma star. “Two months ago I was just trying to use my speed. (So I had to) learn when to use speed and when to attack and get downhill and take angles and attack spots and know where you’re trying to get on the floor.
And that includes getting to the 3-point line and knocking down shots. Against the Clippers on Sunday, he shot 10 of 15 from the floor and went 5 for 6 on 3-pointers. The five 3-pointers were the most he’s made as an NBA player.
Fears is the only Pelicans' player to play in all 62 games. He came off the bench in the first two games of the season, then started 44 straight games before interim coach James Borrego decided to bring him off the bench again. He’s played that bench role for the past 16 games.
“Just being able to adjust on the fly,” Fears said about the key to coming off the bench. “Getting out there and getting a feel for the game early. Seeing my first shot go in and seeing my teammates continue to uplift me.”
It took some adjusting, but he’s been playing some of his ball ever since.
“I think he’s been really good recently,” Borrego said. “The two Utah games and then (Sunday against the Clippers.) Big shots, big plays. I love to see his growth. He’s headed in the right direction.”
What has led to the improvement?
“It’s the decision making,” Borrego said. “As the point guard, you’re going to make multiple decisions throughout a game. It’s the No. 1 thing you have to do. Taking care of the ball. Understanding time, score, situation and management of the game, but still utilizing your aggression and still making plays off that aggression.”
Fears said he has learned from veterans Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole. They have given him pointers on life in the NBA both on and off the court.
He admits there is room for improvement. He committed five turnovers Sunday. It was the fifth time this season he’s had that many turnovers in a game. He had six in a game against the Washington Wizards.
“The last couple games, I’ve been turning it over too much,” Fears said. “I’ll watch some extra film and take care of the ball.”
Fears has just 20 games remaining in his rookie season. His goals for the rest of the way are simple.
“Just continue to play your game,” Fears said. “Do what I do.”