Pelica Debrief
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Ranking the Potential Pelicans Starting Lineups

By Seth Nefsky

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: Head Coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans speaks to Anthony Davis
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: Head Coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans speaks to Anthony Davis /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 12: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Solomon Hill #44 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 12, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 12: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Solomon Hill #44 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 12, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

6. PG: Elfrid Payton, SG: Jrue Holiday, SF: Solomon Hill, PF: Julius Randle, C: Anthony Davis

Separately, Elfrid Payton, Solomon Hill and Julius Randle all have sensible arguments to start for the New Orleans Pelicans. However, together, this lineup might be one of the most disastrous starting fivesomes in the NBA.

The lineup’s biggest problem would be its complete lack of competent three-point shooting. Out of the five, Solomon Hill is the lineup’s only above average volume shooter, and none of the five are above average in three-point percentage.

And though the Minnesota Timberwolves starting lineup of Jeff Teague, Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, Taj Gibson and Karl-Anthony Towns were able to produce a strong offense, despite a lack of shooting, the Pelicans do not have the individual offensive firepower that the Timberwolves do, if they choose to start the offensively inept Solomon Hill.

Furthermore, the Wolves stuck to a very slow pace last season, which allowed for Towns to go to work in the post. However, with Head Coach Alvin Gentry’s insistence to play fast, I doubt that the New Orleans Pelicans would be able to have as strong of an offense.

On defense, this lineup would be decent, as Jrue Holiday, Solomon Hill and Anthony Davis are all strong defenders. However, despite physical gifts, Elfrid Payton has shown a dangerous lack of defensive awareness, and has only produced a positive defensive real plus-minus once in four seasons. Furthermore, Julius Randle lacks the length and athleticism to defend outside of the power forward position, and that lack of defensive versatility will limit the defensive capabilities of the lineup as a whole.

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