All-Time New Orleans Pelicans Franchise Team: Backup Shooting Guard
Dec 1, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard
J.R. Smith(8) drives around New Orleans Pelicans small forward
Josh Childress(8) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Rick (@RickStoneNBA): J.R. Smith
Okay hear me out. Eric Gordon has been a talented shooting for the team for 4 years now. He has a great skill set and has done a lot to chalk up good enough stats to be in this spot. However, JR Smith really showed some signs of becoming who he is today in his time in New Orleans.
JR Smith’s first two years in the league were in New Orleans. And while his stats didn’t blow anyone away, the style he played alongside players like Chris Paul had plenty of upside. He averaged 15 points per 36 minutes in two seasons along with close to three rebounds and over one steal a game in a combined average of 20 minutes per game through two seasons.
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While his defense and shot selection were still being worked on and refined as with many young players, JR gave the team the option of a pure scoring threat off the bench or even starting in certain situations. In two years of transition out of the playoffs for New Orleans, JR brought excitement to the fans of the team.
It’s a wonder what he could have done with more time on the team. However, his play in New Orleans helped New Orleans obtain their best center by far in their history of the team and helped vault his career in Denver. If he had stayed in the Bayou, he could have turned into a fan favorite with his ability to light up the gym and could have surpassed what David Wesley did for the team. We can only dream at this point…
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