New Orleans Pelicans By the Numbers: Number 15
None of the teens in New Orleans Pelicans history have any real bright history behind them. As we saw this morning 14 has been worn by just two players in franchise history, both of whom were fairly average players that never really stood out. That trend continues this afternoon with the number 15, a number worn by three players in franchise history for a total of about two and a half seasons without any real standout performance.
The First to Wear #15: Maciej Lampe, 2005
The Most Recent to Wear #15: Robin Lopez, 2012-2013
The #15 in Between: Gustavo Ayon, 2011-2012
The history of the number 15 got off to a brutal start late in the 2004-2005 season when Maciej Lampe joined the Hornets for 21 games at the end of the season. Lampe, a former first round pick of the New York Knicks who turned out to be a complete bust, played just 12.4 minutes per game during that time and shot a horrendous 38.6 percent from the field despite being 6’11”. Somehow though the performance led New Orleans to bring Lampe back to start the 2005-2006 season, though they quickly realized their mistake and cut bait just two games and 16 minutes later ending the first run of number 15 in New Orleans.
In the 210-2011 season the number picked up a nice following when the team issued it to international find and fan favorite Gustavo Ayon. Ayon played in 54 games for the Hornets and worked his way to averages of 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in just 20.1 points per game by understanding when and where to be at the right time and playing hard. That production was enough to bring interest from other teams though and in July of 2011 Ayon was sent to the Orlando Magic for Ryan Anderson, completing his successful tenure in New Orleans by helping the team on the way out.
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After the departure of Ayon the number 15 didn’t stay open long though as just 16 days later the Hornets made a trade to acquire Robin Lopez from the Phoenix Suns and Lopez immediately stepped into the 15 jersey. In his single season in the 15 Lopez was a dependable player at center for the Hornets, playing in all 82 games and averaging 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 26 minutes per game. Yet like Ayon before him, Lopez was sent away after just a season in New Orleans in an effort to improve the team when he was sent to Portland as part of the three team Tyreke Evans trade.
Unlike many numbers in New Orleans history the number 15 has a good history of helping the team despite being decidedly average on the floor. Two of the three number 15s in team history have now been sent away after just one season of play to add pieces that the Pelicans now see as core members of their franchise going forward. If things work out the way the Pelicans hope and this team is able to compete for titles thanks to the contributions of Evans and Anderson it is hard to say that the number 15 in New Orleans history wouldn’t have played a big role in it.