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 – FEBRUARY 26: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 26: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

1. PG: Elfrid Payton, SG: Jrue Holiday, SF: E’Twaun Moore, PF: Nikola Mirotic, C: Anthony Davis

This is perhaps the Pelicans safest and most offensively savvy starting lineup combination, as the only difference from last season would be starting new acquisition Elfrid Payton, instead of current Laker, Rajon Rondo.

However, being that Payton and Rondo are both pass-first point guards with shooting and defensive limitations, the swap should not change the overall aesthetic of the quintet.

Last season, the lineup of Rondo, Holiday, Moore, Mirotic and Davis annihilated opponents by 16.7 points per 100 possessions.

And though there are still legitimate concerns that E’Twaun Moore is too small to defend small forwards, this Pelicans lineup was able to keep up an incredible 97.4 defensive rating, due to Anthony Davis’ top notch defensive play, and Nikola Mirotic’s underrated defensive intelligence.

In fact, every season of his career, Mirotic has been able to produce a defensive real plus-minus better than .7. Despite athletic deficiencies, much like Joe Ingles and Kyle Anderson, Mirotic has always been a good defender, due to his craftiness.

Therefore, even though Payton and Moore are poor defenders, Holiday, Mirotic and Davis should be able to keep this lineup afloat.

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