2014-2015 New Orleans Pelicans season review: Let’s talk about role players
Jan 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) battles for a rebound against Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3) and forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) at Air Canada Centre. The Pelicans beat the Raptors 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Assuming that you can only keep one and have to make a choice, who are you taking Alexis Ajinca or Norris Cole?
Rick: Cole. Look I love what Ajinca did for this team, but I think the Pelicans can get more out of Cole long-term. Point guards are a plenty in the NBA, but ones that you know fit the system are not. There were so many failed projects at that position for New Orleans this year that with a guy like Cole you trust I go with him. Ajinca played very on and off, alternating fantastic games along with awful ones. Jeff Withey is capable of replacing Ajinca much more than any FA at that price can replace Cole.
Chris: Alexis Ajinca. Norris Cole may have had a solid post deadline with the Pelicans, but his entire career tells us he’s unlikely to do that again. Ajinca made some serious strides last year and really showed to be a capable backup center.
Joe: Norris Cole, if it means paying him at or below his qualifying offer. Cole outperformed expectations last year, but to expect him to sustain that high level of play would be foolish. If we can keep him around for somewhere around the $3 million mark, I do it without blinking. Ultimately it comes down to there being more minutes for him than there are for Ajinca, and Cole proved what a difference maker he can be for this team.
Charles: I got to go with Big Lexie on this one. Alexis Ajinca showed legit offensive skills and proved he can be a solid big off the bench when given minutes and can fill in respectably if needed to start due to injuries. Having a backup big that can score off the bench is a rarity and tougher to replace than a backup guard. Norris Cole played very well since coming to the Pelicans but I think finding a competent fourth guard is easier than finding a competent fourth big.
Matt: I lean Cole here because he will be much cheaper and helps more defensively. I don’t expect either to replicate their success this season as Cole had by far the best shooting stretch of his entire career after arriving in New Orleans and Alexis Ajinca finished in the 93.6th percentile in post-up scoring per Synergy data. So considering cost and effectiveness elsewhere I lean Cole.
Next: Shooters gonna shot but will they make it?