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New Orleans Pelicans: First Term Report Cards

By Seth Nefsky

November 22, 2015: New Orleans Pelicans logo during the game between the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. New Orleans Pelicans defeat Phoenix Suns 122-116. (Photograph by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
November 22, 2015: New Orleans Pelicans logo during the game between the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. New Orleans Pelicans defeat Phoenix Suns 122-116. (Photograph by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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T9. Dante Cunningham: D

Last season, Dante Cunningham was a pleasant surprise. He hit threes at a 39.2% clip and the Pels were 2.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor.

This season, Cunningham’s three-point percentage has dipped to 31.3%, and being that he shoots 57.7% of his shots from three, when he is not hitting threes, he is not valuable on offence. He has also proven to be slow-footed defending small forwards, with his opponents shooting a Kevin Durant-like 52.4%/ 41% on his defense.

Furthermore, his real plus-minus has been a terrible -1.87. He has lost his starting small forward spot to E’Twaun Moore, who reclaimed his starting job after Rondo came back, and his minutes per game have dwindled from 25.4 to 15.3 since coming off the bench. Between his defense and the horrid three-point shooting, Cunningham has put up a dud of a season so far, resulting in his ‘D’ grade.

T9. Ian Clark: D

Ian Clark
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 22: Ian Clark (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Last season, Ian Clark looked like a very good role player for the Golden State Warriors. He was able to shoot the ball at a decent 37.4% clip from three, and function as a secondary playmaker through his ball-handling. Furthermore, his 57.5% true shooting percentage showed the ability to score efficiently.

Through his positive 2016-2017 season, he earned a deal with the Pels. However, it looks like his Warrior touch may have warn off. This year, his true shooting percentage is an awful 44.9% and he has the second worst RPM for shooting guards, at -4.05.

This poor play has led to his decreased role, playing a total of 54 minutes in the team’s past five games.

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