New Orleans Pelicans Grades: Celtics outsmart Pelicans
By Nathan Heck
After beating the vaunted Cavaliers on Friday night, the New Orleans Pelicans fell back into bad habits against the Celtics, and it cost the Pelicans yet another game.
The New Orleans Pelicans, along with their fans, were flying high after the seemingly impossible win on Friday night against the Cavaliers, but it all came crashing down on Monday night as the Boston Celtics dominated the Pelicans. Lacking commitment on the defensive end and ball movement on the offensive end, the Pelicans were stagnant on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Celtics played a dynamic game and ran away with it late. Almost no one played well for the Pelicans. Spoiler alert: these grades are going to be pretty bad.
93. 69. Final. 111. 18
TYREKE EVANS. F-. <em>Zero points</em>. <a href=. PG/SG/SF. New Orleans Pelicans
F-. <a href=. SG. New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC GORDON
New Orleans Pelicans. ALONZO GEE. D+. <a href=. SF
PF/C. New Orleans Pelicans. ANTHONY DAVIS. F+. Yep. <a href=
F+. Omer Asik did next to nothing in his meager ten minutes against the Celtics. He scored three points at the line and grabbed a meager two rebounds in his lackluster performance. . C. New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK
D-. A few games ago, I mentioned that <a href=. PF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON
In the first half, <a href=. PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY. C+
<a href=. PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. NORRIS COLE. F-
F. On a team full of role players, <a href=. SF/PF. New Orleans Pelicans. DANTE CUNNINGHAM
C+. Ish Smith got some playing time as a result of Norris Cole’s disastrous play. In his 16 minutes, Smith was fairly productive with seven points, four assists and four rebounds. He tried too hard, though, and he forced the issue, resulting in three turnovers. If Cole keeps being awful, Smith may very well find himself playing heavy minutes again.. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. ISH SMITH
C. New Orleans Pelicans. ALEXIS AJINCA. B+. If you needed any more proof that this game was horrible, simply notice that <a href=
SF. New Orleans Pelicans. LUKE BABBITT. F-. <a href=
Other Observations
- The offense is almost entirely predicated on getting hot, and that makes life extremely difficult when they are cold, like tonight. For example, Anderson had open shooters in the corners while he was doubled in the post on multiple occasions. Instead of kicking it out, he forced a contested look. Some nights that works, but tonight it didn’t. If the Pelicans want to seriously improve, the ball needs to move.
- On the defensive end, the Pelicans look straight up disinterested. There is no sugar-coating it. They will continue to be downright awful until they actually try.
- Losses like these make one think this season may be a lost one. Good teams don’t lose like this.