Game Preview: New Orleans Pelicans head West to take on the Golden State Warriors
Does Lance Stephenson matter in the grand scheme of the New Orleans Pelicans’ season?
The Pelicans, sources say, will participate fully in Lance Stephenson's injury rehab and told him they're open to re-signing him once healed
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 7, 2016
The team did what it had to, releasing a player who could no longer contribute on the court (with a roster full of injured players already) in favor of one who could. There were games (like the loss to Memphis last week) in which Stephenson’s tippy-toe drive-and-sometimes-kick game injected life into the Pels’ offense. He produced, but posted a NetRtg 6 points per 100 possessions worse than the Pelicans as a team.
His replacement will be Archie Goodwin, a dynamite combo guard capable of getting past any defender on his way to the rim. His problem has been finishing when he gets there, drawing fouls, and shooting. He most often played point guard in Phoenix, a franchise that has developed a dominating interest in lead guards.
In New Orleans, he figures to slide largely into the role Lance occupied. He will back up E’Twaun Moore, handle the ball some, and try to electrify the second unit. Buddy Hield and Langston Galloway have earned larger minutes loads in recent games, so they too will benefit. If nothing else, Goodwin will help the team as a ball-mover and transition scorer.
With less ball dominance in the second unit, though, will the Pelicans be better? The problem with this team on offense is that too many of their players need the ball to be successful. Moore, Hield, Davis, and Solomon Hill are all key characters in the team who thrive with the ball in their hands. Goodwin just adds another name to that list.
The Warriors defensive excellence centers around their ability to swallow ounces of open space and smother simple sets. Their length and prophetic understanding of one another’s habits destroy teams like the Pelicans unless they’re at the top of their game. And for the Pelicans, the top of their game occurs when each player is chipping in and throwing their best skills into the stew of team play.
Next: Archie Goodwin will reportedly sign two-year deal with Pelicans
This sub-contest will be the key to the Pelicans keeping it close against a hungry Warriors team.