New Orleans Pelicans Weekly Recap: Jrue Holiday returns and the team improves
This was the best week to be a New Orleans Pelicans fan in a while, one in which the team’s second-best player returned and the team tripled its win total.
Jrue Holiday is a magic man. His mere presence on the court was enough to capsize two solid NBA defenses over the weekend, and the New Orleans Pelicans can now head into a new week with confidence and momentum for the first time all season.
Three wins in four games, including a victory last Monday without Holiday, and the Pelicans may now have an outsider’s chance at a nice little run here to start the holiday season.
LAST WEEK
Monday vs. Boston Celtics: 106-105 W
The Pels were fortunate to catch Boston in the drudgery of the early season, in which the Celtics have been conservative with their injured stars, Jae Crowder and Al Horford. In Monday’s game, Isaiah Thomas was the only guy able to create offense, and the Pelicans were able to overcome a nice night by him by quieting the rest of the team.
This was also the first hot shooting performance by Langston Galloway in what would go on to be a great week for the third-year guard. He hit three three-pointers and scored 21 points:
OUR PLAYER GRADES FROM THE VICTORY
Wednesday @ Orlando Magic: 82-89 L
The Terrence Jones Game. Somehow, I have a feeling this will be a memorable one for New Orleans Pelicans fans all season long.
Coming to the Pelicans after a disappointing season last year in Houston, expectations were questionable for Jones. He has continually gotten better with every opportunity given to him, and that pump fake may finally be working.
On Wednesday, filling into the starting lineup for the injured Anthony Davis, Jones posted a smooth 26-point, 9-rebound, 2-assist line that ranks among the best individual performances by Pelicans all year:
Please watch those smooth pump fakes all day long.
OUR PLAYER GRADES FROM THE LOSS
Friday vs. Portland Trailblazers: 113-101 W
*Lupe Fiasco voice* The Return! Jrue Holiday immediately stole the show in some sweet-looking black athletic spectacles, scoring 21 for himself and dishing 7 assists to go along with the scoring.
It was the first look at what Holiday’s presence can do to defenses that have gotten used to attaching themselves to Davis in the half court. His improved off-the-bounce shooting and driving ability makes it dangerous to play off of him.
More later on the Smoothie King return of the Pelicans’ point guard.
OUR GRADES FROM THE BLOWOUT WIN
Saturday vs. Charlotte Hornets: 121-116 W in OT
Saturday night’s home victory against the Hornets was the most fun Pelicans game all season. What a win.
Again, each time Jrue Holiday took the court in his nice dark goggles, the Pelicans leapt back toward the lead. Holiday added an extra point to his total from the previous night, and two more assists. 22 points, 9 assists, and a +12 point differential is just amazing.
Include his ability to corral Hornets point guard Kemba Walker for key stretches and work smoothly with Anthony Davis in crunch time on the pick-and-roll, and it’s impossible to underestimate Holiday’s value. He won this game for the Pelicans:
If he was the reason for victory, Langston Galloway was the reason the Pels even stayed close toward the end of the game. The man hit six three-pointers on his way to 23 points, four of them in the final frame to bring the Pelicans within striking distance after a 39-point third quarter for Charlotte.
BEST OF PELICAN DEBRIEF
Rory Callais dives into the wonderful and glorious debut of Jrue Holiday, straight from the Smoothie King Center. Video of his first check-in, emotional detail, and everything else.
BEST OF THE REST OF THE WEB
Seems like this week was Jrue Holiday Week for national writers as well.
Justin Verrier of ESPN.com broke down the messages coming from all corners of the Pelicans universe in advance of Jrue’s debut on Friday night.
From Solomon Hill via Verrier’s piece:
"“He knows who he is. I definitely think when he gets back, he’ll be able to be that guy for us.”"
In another corner, Bryan Toporek wrote on Basketball Breakdown about what specifically Holiday can help with once he solidifies himself in the rotation:
"In 2015-16, the Pelicans ranked third in the percentage of their plays that ended with a pick-and-roll ball-handler (20.5 percent), trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors, and they averaged 0.85 points per possession on such plays, putting them just outside the 80th percentile league-wide. With Frazier, Stephenson and Galloway running the show this year, they’re currently tied for 18th in terms of pick-and-roll frequency and are averaging just 0.78 points per possession on such plays, ranking in the 31st percentile."
Basically, Holiday will help in creating those shots we typically associate with the most efficient offense: Three-pointers and shots on drives to the hoop. He can set the table well for others, provide stability to the rotation, and score himself when all else fails. Friday and Saturday only go to prove Toporek’s points even further.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday @ Atlanta Hawks (NBATV)
Wednesday vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN)
Friday @ Portland Trailblazers
Sunday @ Dallas Mavericks
A stressful slate this week couldn’t come at a better time. If Holiday’s return had been delayed by even a bit, the Pelicans would have headed into Atlanta and Portland in disarray.
Now, they get their second star back to do battle with some talented teams. Luckily, the Pelicans continue to catch teams at their worst: Portland is still without Al-Farouq Aminu and amid the Evan Turner acclimation project, and Minnesota has yet to solidify strong individual showings.
Must Read: Diallo and Galloway featured in Whistle Sports training videos
3-1, anybody?