Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans Mid-Season roundtable

By Nathan Heck

Jan 6, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is knocked to the floor during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center. The Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 100-91. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is knocked to the floor during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center. The Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 100-91. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 19, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) celebrates after a basket by forward Dante Cunningham (not pictured) during the second half of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) celebrates after a basket by forward Dante Cunningham (not pictured) during the second half of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Through the first half of the season, who (besides Anthony Davis) has been the MVP?

Rick Stone (@RickStoneNBA): Jrue Holiday. The role change of having him come off the bench has completely changed the dynamic for him on this team. He’s not being asked too much of early on in the game, while being able to come back comfortably from his injury issues last year. He seems happy on the floor with a spaced out offense instead of with guys like Omer Asik. Everything’s working for him.

Brendon Kleen (@BrendonKleen14): When I think of an MVP, I want consistency and, as is obviously in the name, value. That means no extended slumps or inconsistencies in a rotation spot. That has been Ryan Anderson for me, no matter how strong the gag reflex is as I type this. His shotmaking has been just about the most consistent thing game to game for this team, he’s playing starter minutes and hasn’t sunk the team when playing in tandem with AD in the frontcourt.

Nathan Heck (@Nathanheck22): Rick hit the nail on the head; Jrue Holiday has been, without a doubt in my mind, the MVP of this season. Before the season began, the writers at Pelican Debrief were split on who was the second-best player on the roster, and Tyreke Evans narrowly surpassed Jrue Holiday in our Pelicans Rank series. Fast forward to the present, and the measured Jrue Holiday has clearly placed himself ahead of the slashing Tyreke Evans in the pecking order. His distribution, defense and efficiency continue to impress, and he is only improving as the season has progressed. Factor in his selflessness, demonstrated by his willingness to come off the bench, and you have an extremely productive, high-character guy. That makes him an MVP in my book.

Johnny Louisiana (@johnnylouisiana): I side with Nathan and Rick here. Jrue is fully ready and capable of being an All-Star level player. He should also be starting next to AD with Tyreke on the bench since Jrue and AD are the future. There was a time when I thought Tyreke was our second banana, but Jrue has made it abundantly clear he deserves that role.

Next: Thoughts on the guard situation

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