SAN FRANCISCO — Nicolo Melli knew he would have to go through some big adjustments once he made the move to the NBA.



After more than a decade playing professionally in countries like Turkey, Germany and Italy, he grew comfortable with the style of play and what he needed to do to be effective. But going against the best athletes in the world in a game that moves at warp speed was something brand new for him.



Even at 28, he figured he would come in as a rookie and have to find out where he fit in with young stars like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Instead, he’s spent most of his first season in the NBA being implored by those two and everyone else on the team to be more aggressive and look for his shot.



“We’ve got to teach him the American way. He’s got to fire away with that thing,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry joked.



It’s understandable why they’ve been on him so much. Melli is already...