New Orleans Pelicans News: Week of September 19th
It’s tough to stay caught up on all of the New Orleans Pelicans news from across the country and across the internet. Never fear, we have you caught up on everything from the week of September 19th.
Anthony Davis works toward leadership role for new roster
Justin Verrier brought us his takeaway from Friday’s Media Day almost immediately; while some focused on the Pelicans executives making use of the deposed Sam Hinkie’s “Process” banter, Verrier focused on the development of Anthony Davis. Which, in case you forgot, is still the key to everything working out for the New Orleans Pelicans.
From organizing offseason workouts in Los Angeles to giving the team’s youngsters a sense of home in New Orleans, Davis is now clearly the focal point of this team off the court. Having clearly leaned on Kendrick Perkins last season, inexperienced players like Tim Frazier have begun to look up to AD as a leader, and Davis seems to have accordingly made himself into one.
"“‘I think he realizes more so than anything now that this is his team and that he’s the leader of this team,’ New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said. ‘All the players accept him as that. I told everyone last year that you’re talking about a 23-year-old kid that you want to be the leader of the team, but he’s grown so much over the summer. I think that he’s more of a vocal leader now. We have conversations all the time, and we text back and forth all the time this summer, from a standpoint of, leadership-wise, what he should do and how he should advance in that area right there, especially with the new guys.’”"
Some might shy away from the pressure of leading a young, less-talented group of players, but Davis has taken that responsibility and run with it; toward the end of the piece, he mentions having a deep desire to remain in New Orleans and bring the city a championship. He also brings up the path the Boston Celtics have taken to contention, wherein they overcome the lack of a superstar with depth and overall solid play. But don’t forget: the Pelicans actually have that superstar, and he’s ready for war.
Pelicans release 2016-17 broadcast schedule
All hail Joel Meyers. That’s all.
Lance Stephenson interview with ESPN
If all you take away from the Pelicans’ Media Day is an appreciation for the magnificent social media skills of Lance Stephenson, you’re doing Media Day the right away. He caught Buddy Hield calling Media Day “lit” on camera, took a picture with a stuffed stuck out tongue emoji, and gave us this beauty:
Among other things, Stephenson went on to discuss the benefits of having become such a well-travelled player during his career. Learning from the best (Paul George, Paul Pierce, Chris Paul) has given Lance a balanced and nuanced approach to the game. This interview is definitely from a more reserved and thoughtful vantage point than some of his more colorful antics, so it’s a step in the right direction.
Channeling those skills learned from the game’s best is another story. Stephenson will need to bring it all every day if he hopes to give the Pelicans a reason to manipulate their roster to bring him in.
Related Story: Lance Stephenson is ready to get to work
Buddy Hield tells NOLA.com he’s eager to learn
It’s so refreshing to see a player who has such a ravenous work ethic play for the team you follow isn’t it? We have to start appreciating Buddy for more than just his fun shooting displays; the dude is an incredibly hard worker, a student, and a wizened basketball player. How many young guys have the discipline to latch onto veterans, actively seek out their advice about life on and off the court, and come out better?
John Reid details how heavily Hield has leaned on Solomon Hill and Anthony Davis for advice regarding basketball strategy and life as a rookie. Hill has impressed the value of patience on the sharpshooter; sometimes, the NBA game can be more simple, especially in such instances as keeping a defense honest by staying home behind the three-point line. Davis has encouraged a learner’s mentality, demonstrating to Hield that most of the guys in the league are smarter and savvier than he is, and that a rookie has to work that much harder to compete with those veterans.
Must Read: Pelicans Media Day Recap
There appears to be an ecosystem in place where a mix of veterans and fellow younglings can make it easy for Buddy to swing free.